Photos: Brown Paper Box Co. Presents SPEECH & DEBATE

Following their Jeff Award Recommended run of They're Playing Our Song, Brown Paper Box Co. concludes their 2017/2018 season with the non-Equity Chicago debut of Tony Award winner Stephen Karam's Speech & Debate. BPBCo. Board President David Lipschutz* helms the timely dark comedy at The Edge Theater (5451 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660).

Three teenage misfits in Salem, Oregon discover they are linked by a sex scandal that's rocked their town. When one of them sets out to expose the truth, secrets become currency, the stakes get higher, and the trio's connection grows deeper in this fiercely funny dark comedy with music. ?More information - including ticketing, group & student sales, LGBTQ+ tie-ins, and behind-the-scenes insights - can be found at www.BrownPaperBox.org.

"I am excited to stage Speech & Debate with BPBCo. because I've been performing, coaching, and judging at forensics competitions for over twenty years," says director Lipschutz. "The play holds a special spot in my heart since these high school misfits form an unforeseen friendship after starting their speech and debate team. This is reminiscent of my own high school experience as many of my closest and longest friendships began on the very same teams."

Speech & Debate stars Trevor Bates (Howie), Austin Book (Howie u/s), Michael Brigance (Solomon u/s), Molly Coleman (Diwata u/s), Elise Marie Davis (Teacher/Reporter), Lauren S. Deaton (Teacher/Reporter u/s), Darren Patin (Solomon), and Deanalís Resto (Diwata).

The production staff and design team includes David Lipschutz* (Director), Sally Baker* (Casting Assistant), Zach Dries* (Photographer/Videographer), Jeanine Fry (Costume Designer), ?Sara Heymann* (Properties Designer), Becca Holloway (Ass't Director/Choreographer), ?Torrey Meyer (Scenic Designer), ?M. William Panek* (Box Office Manager), Erin Pleake (Lighting & Projection Designer), ?Deanna Satin (Stage Manager), Anna Schutz* (Production Manager), Charlie Sheets* (Graphic Designer), Daniel Spagnuolo* (Casting Associate), Gin To* (Production Intern), and ?Becca Venable? (Sound Designer).

Photo Credit: Zach Dries