Photo Flash: Otherworld Theatre Presents THE WINTER WOLF

Otherworld Theatre will produce the world premiere of The Winter Wolf a holiday-themed fairy tale written by Joseph Zettelmaier and directed by artistic associate Lauren N. Fields. The play runs December 6, 2018 - January 6, 2019. Press opening is December 8, 2018 at 3914 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613 in the Alchemists' Lab space within Otherworld Theatre. The Winter Wolf was workshopped in 2017 as part of the Otherworld Theatre Reading Series, a monthly staged reading and talkback series. Fields is a recently named artistic associate at Otherworld and directed last season's world premiere production, Down the Rocky Road and All the Way to Bedlam. Tickets to all shows are available at www.OtherworldTheatre.org

It's Christmas night in Cora's house. She's visited by her beloved grandfather, a man of high spirits and failing health. They sit around the fireplace and she listens to the legend of the Winter Wolf, a strange creature who serves as Time's hunter, stalking those who are in the winter of their lives. That night, the Winter Wolf comes for Cora's grandfather, but the young girl manages to trap it. What follows is a magical journey through the mysteries of time, as Cora learns how far one can go for the sake of someone they love.

"For centuries fairytales have been used to teach hard truths through a veil of fantasy. Joseph's lovely play does this with the hardest truth of all- loss. The Winter Wolf tackles the inevitability of losing a loved one, but with the comfort that we will always have the memories of those we love and that "Time can hurt you, but it can heal you too," said director Lauren N. Fields.

The cast features Otherworld company members Katy Crow (Mother) and Nathan Pease (Father) with guest artists Shariba Rivers (The Winter Wolf), Molly Southgate (Cora), and Mike Rogalsky (Grandfather). Company member Mary-Kate Arnold will understudy The Winter Wolf. Production team includes Otherworld company members David Goodman-Edberg (lighting designer), Lauren N. Fields (director/costume designer), Bryce Fields (technical director), and Sara Robinson (production stage manager) and guest artists Janie Killips (scenic/prop/puppet designer) and Joseph Zettelmaier (playwright).

Performances will take place in Otherworld's blackbox theatre, nicknamed, "The Alchemists' Lab," December 6 , 2018 - January 6, 2019; Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:30pm. Press opening is December 8, 2018 at 3914 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60613 (Street Parking available; CTA Accessible by Sheridan Red Line / 22 Clark). Performances are approx 70 minutes with no intermission.

Otherworld Theatre is a two-stage facility with a mainstage which boasts a flexible performance and seating area in its larger The Bradbury space, The Alchemist's Lab blackbox space, bar, and lobby located a few blocks north of Wrigley Field. Tickets to all shows are available at www.OtherworldTheatre.org Otherworld maintains mission to keep theatre accessible for all. All mainstage tickets are pay-what-you-can, allowing people of any and all means to experience live performance. Otherworld targets theatre patrons of all ages, genders, and races, with a particular focus on fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy, or "genre" storytelling. This is a large, underserved market, particularly when it comes to live theatre. Otherworld's productions reach a wide ranging audience and multiple fandoms.

Photo Credit: Steven Townshend