Photo Flash: First Look at Sideshow Theatre's MARIA/STUART at Theater Wit

Sideshow Theatre Company continues its 2012/13 season with the Chicago premiere of MARIA/STUART by Jason Grote, directed by Marti Lyons, playing now through May 5, 2013 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. MARIA/STUART features the work of Sideshow Ensemble member Nate Whelden (Stuart) and Artistic Associate Scottie Caldwell (Hannah) with Mary Anne Bowman, Ann James, Susan Monts-Bologna and Jennifer Joan Taylor. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!

Everything was going fine, before the shape shifter showed up. Grandma Ruthie's three tolerably dysfunctional daughters were throwing her a birthday party (including unbalanced Sylvia, with her terrifying hook hands). The kids were coming too, and nobody planned on mentioning the family's horrific secrets. But now there's soda and cheese puffs spilled everywhere and a mysterious pink letter is circulating around the kitchen. What happens when it's opened is just the tip of the iceberg in the Chicago premiere of Jason Grote's dark comedy, as supernatural forces conspire to bring everyone to the brink of confronting the pasts they've kept so carefully buried.

The creative team for MARIA/STUART includes: Nick Sieben (scenic designer), Kristin DeiTos (costume designer), Mac Vaughey (lighting designer), Christopher Kriz (sound designer), Peter Schmidt (properties manager), Sideshow Ensemble member Karie Miller (assistant director/movement coordinator), John Kelly (master electrician), Jeffrey Gardner (dramaturg), Shawn Rutledge (technical director), Benjamin Dawson (production manager), Shelby Glasgow (stage manager) and Alison McLeod (asst. stage manager).

Directed by Marti Lyons, the show features Nate Whelden (Stuart), Scottie Caldwell (Hannah), Mary Anne Bowman (Lizzie), Ann James (Aunt Sylvia), Susan Monts-Bologna (Ruthie) and Jennifer Joan Taylor (Marnie).

All performances run at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, now through Sunday, May 5, 2013, Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets: $20-25; $15 student, senior and industry tickets available for select Thursday and Sunday performances. Tickets are available at www.sideshowtheatre.org or by calling the Theater Wit box office at (773) 975-8150. Group tickets are available for $15 for groups of 10 or more, and can be reserved by emailing tickets@sideshowtheatre.org.

Founded in 2007, Sideshow Theatre Company's mission is to mine The Collective Unconscious of the world we live in with limitless curiosity, drawing inspiration from the familiar stories, memories and images we all share to spark new conversation and bring our audiences together as adventurers in a communal experience of exploration. For additional information on Sideshow Theatre Company, visit www.sideshowtheatre.org, www.facebook.com/SideshowTheatre or www.twitter.com/SideshowTheatre.