PigPen Theatre Co.'s THE OLD MAN AND THE MOON Begins 9/3 in Chicago

Following a successful fall 2012 Off-Broadway run of over 100 performances at the Gym at Judson in New York, the PigPen Theatre Co. is set to make its Chicago debut with the Midwest premiere of The Old Man and the Old Moon at Writers' Theatre September 3 through November 10.

Directed by Writers' Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden and the PigPen Theatre Co., the new production marks the PigPen Theatre Co.'s first artistic collaboration with an outside director and finds The Old Man and the Old Moon augmented with additional music. "I am thrilled to collaborate with the guys of PigPen Theatre Co. and help introduce their wildly entertaining, eclectic and raucous brand of theatrical storytelling to Writers' Theatre and Chicagoland audiences," notes Carden. He goes on, "This exciting new work, fueled by PigPen's spirited songs and incredible musicianship, not only stirs the imagination but also speaks genuinely to those moments when we must choose between the comfort of the familiar or risking everything in pursuit of change, adventure and the unknown." See below for full production details.

The only company to win top honors at the New York International Fringe Festival two years in a row (in 2010 for The Nightmare Story and in 2011 for The Mountain Song), PigPen Theatre Co. recently performed a critically-acclaimed residency at NYC's Joe's Pub in celebration of the re-release of their album of original indie-folk compositions Bremen featuring a number of songs from The Old Man and the Old Moon alongside new pieces. The Huffington Post praised the album, calling it one of the top ten albums of 2012.

The guys of PigPen Theatre Co. first performed original work at Carnegie Mellon University, and since have gone on to perform at New York's famous Barrow Street Theatre, the Boston Center for the Arts and The Irondale Center in Brooklyn. PigPen has sold out theaters nationwide with its shows The Nightmare Story, The Mountain Song and The Old Man and the Old Moon earning them critics' picks from The New York Times, Time Out New York, New York Magazine and more, with reviewers ranking their productions among the top ten theatrical events of both 2011 and 2012. The group recently gave a TED Talk on storytelling, which can be viewed/shared at http://youtu.be/mV5ZY-eAU9I.

PigPen Theatre Co.
The Old Man and the Old Moon
Directed by Writers' Theatre Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co.
Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct. (at at Glencoe Dr.), Glencoe, IL
September 3-November 10
Press performance: September 12

The Old Man and the Old Moon creates an epic new mythology, centered on a man whose job is to collect spilled light to refill the leaking moon. When his wife unexpectedly leaves home in pursuit of much-needed adventure, he abandons his post to follow her, throwing the world into chaos as he searches for his lost love, his fading memory and, ultimately, himself.

A blend of resonant storytelling, spirited indie-folk music and inventive puppetry creates a theatrical experience that will win audiences over with its wit, style and depth of emotion.

The Old Man and the Old Moon premiered in New York City at the Gym at Judson and was produced by Britt Lafield/BKL Productions, The PigPen Company, Aaron Glick, Ronnie Planalp/Deborah Taylor and SoHo Playhouse, Inc.