Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre Company Presents MY NAME IS ANNIE KING

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present the world premiere musical thriller MY NAME IS ANNIE KING, the story of a young man who stumbles into the world of a religious cult in backcountry Missouri, becoming intoxicated by its leader and his ideologies. With a bluegrass/folk infused score by Aaron Albert and Katy Rea and book by Krista Pioppa, the new musical is directed by Alex Higgin-Houser. In the tradition of Underscore's 2016 hit musicalHaymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook, some members of the cast will play their own instruments. MY NAME IS ANNIE KINGwill play April 21 - May 28, 2017 at Underscore's new resident home Pride Arts Center (The Broadway), 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at underscoretheatre.org.

MY NAME IS ANNIE KING will feature Paige Daigle, Britain Gebhardt, Amanda Giles, Royen Kent, Maeghan Looney, Jeff Mills, Foline Roos and Demi Zaino.

Lucas Embry (Royen Kent), a young med student still reeling from the death of his estranged father, finds himself after an alcohol- and drug-fueled episode amidst a religious cult in the woods of Missouri. Seduced by the charisma of the cult's leader (Jeff Mills) and his many female followers, Lucas finds himself drawn into hallucinogenic rituals, an undercurrent of dark sexuality, and the promise of a home he never knew. But when he starts to fall for the leader's ersatz daughter (Paige Daigle), he sets off a chain reaction that can only end in death.

"As the only company in Chicago dedicated to new works of musical theatre, we have the opportunity to explore pieces in the genre that break the mold," says Artistic Director Alex Higgin-Houser, "Annie King is a musical unlike any we've encountered: it's a thriller, lives in the lush, natural world of bluegrass, and features almost exclusively women. We couldn't be prouder to begin our residency at Pride Films and Plays with this exciting new piece, and these promising authors."

MY NAME IS ANNIE KING marks Underscore's first production in a multi-year residency at Pride Films and Plays," comments Executive Director Laura Stratford. "There is nothing more important for a young theatre company than a chance to find its home and grow. The story of the company that grows from itinerant to institution is increasingly rare, but thanks to David Zak and PFP, we're able to take the next step, and continue providing a home for new musicals in Chicago."

The production team for MY NAME IS ANNIE KING includes: Eric Luchen (scenic design), Rachel Lambert (costume design), Erik Barry (lighting design), Geoff Bleeker (production manager), Rachel Johnson (assistant director), Olivia Lilley(dramaturg), Karla Meyer (sound engineer), Elias Nelson (stage manager) and Josh Prisching (technical director).

(front, l to r) Royen Kent and Paige Daigle with cast of Underscore Theatre Company’s world premiere of MY NAME IS ANNIE KING. Photo by Greg Shutters.
(left to right) Maeghan Looney, Amanda Giles, Royen Kent, Demi Zaino, Paige Daigle, Britain Gebhardt and Foline Roos in a publicity image for Underscore Theatre Company’s world premiere of MY NAME IS ANNIE KING. Photo by Greg Shutters.
(center) Royen Kent with the cast of Underscore Theatre Company’s world premiere of MY NAME IS ANNIE KING. Photo by Greg Shutters.
(pictured) Paige Daigle in a publicity image for Underscore Theatre Company’s world premiere of MY NAME IS ANNIE KING. Photo by Greg Shutters.
(pictured) Paige Daigle in a publicity image for Underscore Theatre Company’s world premiere of MY NAME IS ANNIE KING. Photo by Greg Shutters.