Photo Flash: First Look at Meredith Rae Lyons, Nick Freed and More in InFusion Theatre's ITHAKA

InFusion Theatre Company is proud to announce the Midwest premiere of Andrea Stolowitz's ITHAKA, directed by InFusion Artistic Director Mitch Golob, March 9 - April 13, at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division Ave. Opening night is tonight, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. Performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. There is no performance Thursday, March 13. Preview tickets are $10. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and seniors and $12.50 for industry professionals (Thursdays and Sundays only). Tickets are on sale now atinfusiontheatre.com or by calling 800-838-3006.

InFusion's production of ITHAKA mixes video projections, a roller coaster and a talking cat to reveal the complex story of Marine Captain Elaine (Lanie) Edwards (Meredith Rae Lyons) who has just returned from her latest tour in Afghanistan. However, everything seems different this time. Her home doesn't feel right and nothing is making sense. After an argument with her husband, Lanie is propelled to leave and undertakes an Odyssean journey through the American landscape battling her monsters, trying to find her way home.

Stolowitz's ITHAKA was drawn from interviews with veterans and their families. In fall 2011, Stolowitz was awarded the Fowler/Levin Prize for this winning play concept as well as the Artists Repertory Theater's $25,000 New Play Commission.

Additional Ithaka cast includes Nick Freed, Andrew Saenz, TinseyRose Torres and Anji White.

The production staff includes Liviu Pasare, projections designer; Dave Ferguson, scenic designer; Nick Carroll, lighting designer; Christopher Kriz, sound designer; Rachel Sypniewski; costume designer, InFusion's Managing Director Tara Malpass, stage manager; and AaRon Shapiro, production manager.

Andrea Stolowitz's plays have been presented at The Cherry Lane (NYC), The Old Globe (SD), The Long Wharf (CT), New York Stage and Film (NY), and Portland Center Stage (OR). She has received much acclaim for her previous plays, Antarktikos, Knowing Cairo and Tales of Doomed Love.Stolowitz's screenwriting work includes Jonathan's War, a feature-length action film, the treatment for Code Name: Pelicano, which was sold to independent producers,and the upcoming web series Crackerjacks. An MFA playwriting alumna of UC-San Diego, Andrea has served on the faculties at Willamette University, The University of Portland, Duke University and UC-San Diego. She is a founding member ofPlaywrights West.

Mitch Golob has directed nine InFusion productions: the world premieres of The Improv Play, Pluto is Listening, Ghostbox and Créole (nominated for five Black Theatre Alliance Awards), the United States premiere of The Last Supper and the Midwest premieres of Intrigue With Faye, Rhymes With Evil, Soul Samurai, and Fight Girl Battle World. Other directing projects include 8 By Tenn at Hartford Stage Company, working with Tony Award WinnersElizabeth Ashley and Amanda Plummer, the U.S. premiere of Jump to Cow Heaven at Profiles Theatre, And Then They Came For Me at Apple Tree Theatre, and was associate director of the award winning world premiere of Hannah & Martin at TimeLine Theatre. Golob was also a member of Naked Eye Theatre Company, where he assistant directed the Jeff Award winning production of Waving Goodbye, in a co-production with Steppenwolf. He has also directed at Pegasus Players, Stage Left Theatre and Chicago Dramatists. Mitch holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Drama from the University of Wisconsin.

InFusion Theatre Company seeks out new plays and "infuses" them with other elements of entertainment such as music, dance, and film. "We strive to create dynamic performances by combining different forms of entertainment that will result in both exciting and thought-provoking work and we focus on giving voice to new works, as well as looking at older works in a new way," says Artistic Director Mitch Golob.

Photo Credit: Cole Simon