Photo Flash: Sueno, by Jose Rivera, Begins in Chicago 4/12

In its 11th season Greasy Joan & Co. presents the Chicago premiere of Sueno, an original adaptation of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's play Life's a Dream. Written by Obie Award-winning playwright José Rivera and directed by Greasy Joan Artistic Director Julieanne Ehre, Sueno will play at The Athenaeum Theater in Chicago, for a limited engagement April 12 through May 20, 2007.

"The mystical, haunting and humorous world of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's Life's a Dream, as re-imagined by playwright José Rivera comes alive in Sueno," states press notes, "When King Basilio's son Segismundo is born, his horoscopes predict he will become a tyrant.  In an attempt to undo fate, the King locks his child in a tower for 25 years in hopes of preventing catastrophe. Twenty-five years later, Basilio decides to rewrite his son's destiny and hatches a plan for the young man to be released and crowned the new King of Spain.  If Prince Segismundo behaves like a tyrant, he will be brought back to prison and told that his newly found freedom was a dream.  Once crowned King, Segismundo acts out the violence predicted by his horoscope and Basilio orders his son be returned to captivity.  Ultimately, the Prince overcomes his fate through the power of free will and reason; and the future of Spain is secured."

The cast of Sueno includes Madrid St. Angelo (Basilio), Jason Huysman (Don Clotaldo), Kristina Klemetti (Rosauro), Kelly Breheny (Estrella), Desmin Borges (Clarin), Carlo Garcia (Segismundo), Robert Kauzlaric (Astolfo) and Eric Evenskaas (Servant/Soldier).

Sueno is written by José Rivera and directed by Greasy Joan Artistic Director Julieanne Ehre.  The design team includes: Kevin Depinet (set design), Charles Cooper (lighting design), Alison Heryer (costume design), Nick Keenan (sound design/music composition), Leah Batt (stage manager) and Jaclynn Jutting (production manager).

Greasy Joan & Co. re-imagines classic plays for the contemporary stage.  Their premiere adaptations and translations present fresh, innovative stagings of the classics. With a strong commitment to symbolic design, Greasy Joan productions create visually compelling theater. They engage Chicago audiences in the greatness of the past through the imaginative interpretations of the present.

Sueno plays at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago from April 12 through May 20, 2007.  The performance schedule is as follows:
Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 3PM. The press opening is Saturday, April 14.

Tickets for Sueno are priced at $20 ($10 for preview performances on April 12 & 13).  Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 312-902-1500, at www.ticketmaster.com or at the door.  Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount by calling 312-458-0718.

For more information on Greasy Joan & Co., call 312-458-0718 or go to www.greasyjoan.org.

Carlo Garcia (left) as Segismundo and Kristina Klemetti (right) as Rousara
in Greasy Joan & Co.'s production of Sueno by Jose Rivera. 
Photo by: Michael Brosilow.