Photo Flash: Inside Interrobang Theatre Project's UTILITY

Interrobang Theatre Project concludes its ninth season, exploring "identity/crisis," with the Midwest premiere of Emily Schwend's drama UTILITY, an intimate look at an East Texas woman's struggle to make ends meet, directed by Artistic Director Georgette Verdin*. UTILITY will play April 5 - May 4, 2019 at ITP's new resident home, Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave. in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at www.interrobangtheatre.org or by calling (312) 219-4140. The press opening is Tuesday, April 9 at 8 pm.

UTILITY features ITP Ensemble Member Brynne Barnard* with Kevin D'Ambrosio, Barbara Figgins and Patrick TJ Kelly.

Amber is doing everything she can to keep her head above water, but no matter how hard she tries it never seems to be enough. Money is tight, her marriage is in turmoil, and she's juggling two jobs just to make ends meet. As she struggles to plan her eight-year-old daughter's birthday party, Amber must stay strong as she feels increasingly invisible in her own life. Meticulous and heartbreaking, Utility offers an empathic glimpse into America's' working poor. Winner of the 2016 Yale Drama Series Prize.

Comments Managing Artistic Director Georgette Verdin, "This play fits snugly into both Interrobang's mission and our 9th season, whose theme is: identity/crisis. It's important to remember that in large swaths of our country, whether it be small towns decimated by dying industries or inner cities, the concept of identity is frustratingly wrapped up in the fight for basic survival needs. And while Trump's election has given many of us so much to be saddened by and infuriated about, I've come to believe that liberals are often entering into one-sided conversations with people we imagine to be like the characters in Utility. People who, in reality, are preoccupied with keeping food on the table, and the electricity flowing. If if we really want to shift the needle and get our country headed in a direction that feels inclusive, we'll have to reach out to the marginalized in all corners across all cultures and employ radical empathy."

The production team for UTILITY includes Kerry L. Chipman (scenic design), Melissa Perkins (costume design), Michelle E. Benda (lighting design), Erik Siegling (sound design), Adam Borchers (properties design), Lindsay Bartlett (dialect coach), Claire Bauman (assistant director), Richie Vavrina (production manager), Bryan Zoleta (technical director) and Jamie Kreppein (stage manager).

*Denotes Interrobang Theatre Project Ensemble Member or Artistic Associate.

Photo Credit: Evan Hanover.