Photo Flash: Habakkuk Theatre Closes 2018 Season With NOVEMBER By David Mamet

Habakkuk Theatre closes its 2018 Season with David Mamet's November, directed by Greg Kolack. The production runs October 4 - 21, 2018, at Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison, Oak Park, 60302. Press will be invited to attend over the course of opening weekend, October 6 and 7, 2018.

An Oval Office Satire that shows one day in the life of a beleaguered President. It's November of an election year, and the president's chances of reelection are looking grim. Approval ratings are down, money is running out, and nuclear war might be imminent. Even though his staff and wife have thrown in the towel, the president will go to any length to win a 2nd term.

Habakkuk Artistic Director and Producer Tina Shelley notes, "How can a play written over 10 years ago sound like it is written about someone today? This play has been in my mind for more than a few years, but right now, it is more timely than ever. It leaves us to question how did we get here? How can we change this?"

The cast of November includes Todd Aiello (Turkey Guy), Jamie Black (Archer Brown), Juan Mares Castillo (Dwight Grackle), Brian Rabinowitz (Charles Smith), with Rachel Whyte (Bernstein).

The creative/producing team includes Savannah Cousins (Lighting Designer), Abigail Madden (Producer) and Tina Shelley (Producer). The stage manager is Sue Wisthuff.

About the Artists

David Mamet (Playwright) is a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, screenwriter, author and director from Chicago. He founded the St. Nicholas Theatre Co. and won wide notice with productions that included Sexual Perversity in Chicago and American Buffalo. Later, his 1984 work Glengarry Glen Ross was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, which also received a Tony nomination. He also gained critical acclaim for his plays Speed-the-Plow, The Duck Variations, Race and The Penitent. Mamet became known for rapid-fire dialogue studded with obscenities and explorations of power relationships and corporate corruption. His screenplays include House of Games, Homicide, The Verdict and The Untouchables, and he's both written and directed projects such as The Spanish Prisoner, Redbelt and Phil Spector.

Greg Kolack (Director) is the recipient of 3 Jeff Awards and 2 After Dark Awards for his Directing. For 7 years he served as Co-Artistic Director of Circle Theatre, where he directed the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman's The Crime of the Century (which he also conceived), and the Chicago premiere of A Piece Of My Heart, among many others, and produced Circle's appearance at the House of Blues with Russell Crowe and his band. Notable productions include columbinus and The Exonerated (Raven), The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (Redtwist), The Odd Couple (Drury Lane), the world premiere of Shirley Lauro's All Through The Night (Chicago Jewish), Tim Robbin's Embedded at Prop, as well as work at theatres all over the Chicago area. Greg is currently Artist In Residence at Theatre of Western Springs, where he has directed a dozen productions.

Todd Aiello (Turkey Guy) hails from Avon, Indiana and earned his B.A. in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University. He has been acting in Chicago-area productions since 2005. Favorite roles include Joey/Johnny/Rick in Tony 'N' Tina's Wedding (Pipers Alley), Guy in Just Say Love (Bailiwick Repertory), AP in columbinus (Raven Theatre), Fred in Hey! Mr. Spaceman (Strange Tree Group), Hank in Marvin's Room (Circle Theatre), and Richie in Bleacher Bums (Brightside Theatre).

Jamie Black (Archer Brown) is honored, pleased, and tickled pink to be making his Habakkuk Theatre debut in David Mamet's November. He's been an actor in Chicago for over 20 years and has appeared on many stages for a lot of theater companies. He has been a solo performer for the last several years touring internationally with his show It's My Penis and I'll Cry If I Want To. He won National Artist of the Year at the 2016 St. Lou Fringe Festival and an Individual Artist Award from the City of Chicago in 2017. He is co-founder of the African-American sketch comedy group Soul Fools. His television credits include The Chelsea Handler Show, Conspiracy: Martin Luther King and Boss.

Juan Mares Castillo (Dwight Grackle) is excited to begin his theatre experience in the Chicago area in his debut with Habakkuk Theatre Company! For Indiana University Bloomington: The Tempest (Sebastian); for Cardinal Stage Company: Frankenstein(Townsperson/Chorus); for Storefront Theatre: Prowess (Jax, understudy). A native of Goshen, IN, Juan has a BA degree in telecommunications from Indiana University Bloomington, and is striving for the creation of diverse and compelling stories in theatre and film.

Brian Rabinowitz (Charles Smith) is a Chicago actor, director and communications trainer. He has worked with Oak Park Festival Theater, Bailiwick, Theatre At the Center and Metropolis Theatre, and was a company member at both American Blues and Circle Theatre. Chicago credits include The Stage Manager in Our Town, Matt Friedman in Talley's Folley, Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Claudius in Hamlet, Mr.Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Vladimir in Waiting for Godot, Frederick in Enchanted April, and Mr. Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis. Brian has played both King Carlos and Lord Chancellor Cedric at Medieval Times, and has toured the US as Arthur Golden in the interactive drama, Defamation! Directing credits include Company, Greater Tuna, The Diary of Anne Frank, Lost in Yonkers and Thee Trinity. Brian has directed play development and improvisation workshops throughout the Midwest, and led the Oak Park-based Swift Kick imrov troupe. He trains actors for the acclaimed Crisis Intervention program in DuPage County.

Rachel Whyte (Bernstein) is a lover of both plays and musicals and is delighted to be making her Habakkuk Theatre debut diving into another comedy! Chicago credits include: Witt in Grand Hotel (Kokandy Productions), Janet in The Drowsy Chaperone (Skokie Theatre), Hazel in Par for the Corpse (Oil Lamp Theater) and Hester in A Christmas Carol (MPAC). Regional favorites: Peggy in 42nd Street, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Liesl in The Sound of Music and Pamela/Annabelle/Margaret in The 39 Steps. She is a recent Denver transplant and proud Abilene Christian University MT alum.