Photo Flash: Underscore Theatre 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 musical Haymarket: The Anarchist's Songbook, some members of the cast will play their own instruments. MY NAME IS ANNIE KING will 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 features 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), Jesse Case (sound design), Holly McCauley (props design), Rachel Johnson (assistant director), Geoff Bleeker (production

manager), Karla Meyer (sound engineer), Elias Nelson (stage manager) and Josh Prisching (technical director).

Photos by Evan Hanover

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