Profiles Theatre to Present IN A FOREST, DARK AND DEEP, Opening 4/19

Profiles Theatre announces the American premiere of Neil LaBute's In a Forest, Dark and Deep, to open the company's newest theater space, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway, next door to its current venue.  With the acquisition of the former National Pastime space, Profiles now operates 3 theatres in total, including its long-time home at 4147 N. Broadway, as well as The Second Stage at 3408 N. Sheffield.  In a Forest, Dark and Deep, directed by Joe Jahraus and featuring Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, runs April 13, 2012 – June 3, 2012 with the press opening on Thursday, April 19 at 8:00pm.The previously announced production of Neil LaBute's The Break of Noon will be postponed until next season.

Profiles Theatre presents the first US production of LaBute's most recent play, In a Forest, Dark and Deep. The acclaimed new work received its World Premiere production in London at the West End's Vaudeville Theatre in March 2011 for a limited run, starring Matthew Fox and Olivia Williams.

On a dark and stormy night, all Bobby thought he was doing was helping his sister Betty clear out her cottage in the forest. But in this cabin of lies nothing is as it seems and the truth refuses to be packed away. What is she hiding? Does he really want to find out? In A Forest, Dark And Deep is a dark journey into sibling rivalry escalating into a psychological thriller bursting with savage conflict. 

Co-Artistic Director Joe Jahraus directs the American Premiere of Neil LaBute's In a Forest, Dark and Deep, his fifth LaBute production staged for Profiles.  Darrell W. Cox plays the role of Bobby.  Effective January 1, 2012, Profiles officially changed Mr. Cox's title from Associate Artistic Director to Co-Artistic Director. Casting for the role of Betty to be announced soon.  

Profiles' newest theatre space resides in the same building as its long-time home, thus creating a Theatrical Arts Center on the 4100 block of north Broadway. The openuing of the new venue at 4139 N. Broadway in April will unveil a 99-seat theatre namedThe Main Stage, while the original 65 seat Profiles space at 4147 N. Broadway will be re-named The Alley Stage. With the addition of The Main Stage, Profiles now operates 3 theatres in total, which includes their long-time home at 4147 N. Broadway, as well as The Second Stage at 3408 N. Sheffield. 

"Profiles has been growing steadily over the years. We need more seats to accommodate our expanding audience base and more flexible staging options for our productions," says Profiles Co-Artistic Director Joe Jahraus.  "We remain committed to producing intimate plays at our original home, but now we can present larger productions with more demanding technical requirements at The Main Stage. We're honored that our good friend and collaborator Neil LaBute entrusted us to introduce his newest work, the American premiere of In a Forest, Dark and Deep.  We're thrilled to open our new space with this significant new play."

"Due to this extraordinary opportunity, our Midwest premiere of The Break of Noon will be postponed until next season," adds Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox. "Neil's commitment to Profiles and Chicago's thriving theatre community is once again demonstrated by choosing to have his newest play receive its American premiere here. For this we are thankful, as Profiles' dedication to Neil's work and his evolution as an artist continues to be one of the most influential and gratifying relationships in our history." 

"I feel very lucky to have In a Forest, Dark and Deep making its American premiere at Profiles Theatre in Chicago," says playwright Neil LaBute. "It's a play that means a great deal to me and I wanted it to find a home in the states that can give it all the attention and dignity that it deserves. I've been extremely happy with my relationship to this little powerhouse of a theater and I'm excited to see these characters come to life in the dual hands of Artistic Directors Darrell W. Cox and Joe Jahraus. This kind of collaboration is why I keep coming back to the stage, because as a writer, I feel completely free and entirely safe. Profiles is everything an American playhouse should be: bold, fearless and constantly challenging the audience and itself." 

Profiles Theatre began its relationship with Neil LaBute in 2006 with the Midwest premiere of autobahn, followed by their long-running hit, Fat Pig. In 2007, Profiles devoted an entire season to the works of LaBute that included the Midwest premieres of In a Dark Dark House, Some Girl(s), This is How it Goes, and a collection of short works entitled Things We Said Todayfollowed by the Midwest premiere of The Mercy Seat in 2009. Last season, Profiles produced the Chicago premiere of reasons to be pretty.  The playwright twice participated in benefit evenings of readings and conversation to support the theatre's productions. 

Profiles, currently in rehearsal for the Midwest premiere of Leslye Headland's Bachelorette, opens the production at its original home, 4147 N. Broadway, February 1, 2012. The company's critically acclaimed production of Assisted Living by Deirdre O'Connor continues its extended run through February 19, 2012 at The Second Stage, Profiles' venue located at 3408 N. Sheffield. After the run of Assisted Living, The Second Stage continues to be available as a viable, affordable rental performance space for young, emerging, and established itinerant companies.

Tickets for In a Forest, Dark and Deep are $35 for Thursdays, $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, www.profilestheatre.org. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 and 8:00 pm, Sundays at 7:00 p.m.