Photo Flash: A Red Orchid Theatre Presents SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS By Bess Wohl

A Red Orchid Theatre presents Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl, directed by Ensemble Member Shade Murray. Small Mouth Sounds runs October 18 - December 9, 2018 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells in Chicago. Press performances are scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at 3:00pm and 7:30pm.

"Consider those times in your life when you ached for a fresh start or a hard stop," suggests Artistic Director, Kirsten Fitzgerald. "It is hard to break a cycle, but when we find ourselves in real agony a change is needed; a reset. In Bess Wohl's beautiful play we get to witness six individuals risking something new, trying desperately-sometimes hilariously-to hit that reset button. They give up comfort and familiarity and some discover that when the talking stops, the real communication begins."

Six urbanites take their troubles to the woods and attempt to work them out at a secluded spiritual retreat. Attendees may not speak for the entire week, clothing is optional at the lake, and beware of bears. The isolating silence collides with the human ache to connect. How do we address life's biggest questions when words fail us? A Chicago premiere that is at once strange and compassionate, awkward and graceful, silly and profound.

The production features Ensemble Members Jennifer Engstrom (Joan) and Lawrence Grimm (Jan), with Cynthia Hines (Judy), Heather Chrisler (Alicia), Meighan Gerachis (Teacher), Levi Holloway (Ned), Travis A. Knight (Rodney).

The creative team includes Kurtis Boetcher (Scenic), Myron Elliott-Cisneros (Costumes), Heather Gilbert (Lights), Jeffrey Levin (Sound), Jenny Pinson (Props), Samantha Rausch (Technical Director), Cortney Hurley (Production Manager), S.G. Heller (Stage Manager), Chloe Orlando (Assistant Director), Kate DeVore (Vocal Coach) and Leean Kim Torske (Dramaturg).

Photo Credit: Mike Hari