Photo Flash: First Look at Strawdog Theatre's GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Strawdog Theatre Company and Interim Artistic Director Hank Boland present the second production in their 2013 - 2014 season, a new adaption of Charles Dickens' classic Great Expectations, adapted by Gale Childs Daly and directed by Jason W. Gerace, November 11 - December 14, at Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway Street. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Jason W. Gerace, the critically acclaimed director of Redtwist Theatre's Opus, makes his Strawdog debut directing Great Expectations where a cast of six (Amanda Drinkall, John Ferrick*, Kyle A. Gibson*, Megan Kohl, John Taflan and Mike Tepeli) quick-change their way through nearly 40 characters as the classic novel is reinvented as a fast-paced theatrical feat. Great Expectations, a masterpiece of Victorian literature tells the story of an orphan named Pip, who is plucked from poverty and thrust into the upper class, his benefactor's identity and motives hidden by lawyers and other minions. As Pip tries to find love and a living in his radically changed circumstances, he untangles a fascinating web of secret identities and hidden pasts.

The production crew includes Hilary Holbrook, musician; Joanna Iwanicka, set design; John Kelly, light designer; Brittany Dee Bodley, costume design; Emily Guthrie, props design; Kathy Logelin, dialect coach; Sam Hubbard, fight choreographer; Mike Przygoda*, music director; Mike Mroch*, production manger; Danielle Whaley, assistant production manager; Michelle Maier, stage manager; Gordan Granger, technical director; and Smooch Medina, master electrician. *connotes a Strawdog Theatre Company member

Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions and delivers their audience the unexpected.

Strawdog Theatre Company presents a new adaption of Charles Dickens' classic Great Expectations, adapted by Gale Childs Daly and directed by Jason Gerace, November 11 - December 14, at Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway Street. Preview performance tickets are $15 with performances Friday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, Saturday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. There is a Board Preview performance,Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m., with $50 tickets that include access to a post-performance reception. Opening/press night is Monday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. Industry night is Monday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. Single Tickets are $28 and on sale now. Subscriptions, group, senior and student discounts are also available. Tickets may be ordered online at strawdog.org or by calling 773.528.9696.

Photo Credit: Chris Ocken

John Taflan, Megan Kohl, Michael Tepeli, and Amanda Drinkall

Amanda Drinkall and Michael Tepeli

Megan Kohl, Amanda Drinkall, Michael Tepeli (lying down), Kyle Gibson, John Taflan and John Ferrick

Kyle A. Gibson and Michael Tepeli