Quest & International Chamber Artists Present THE PEOPLE'S PASSION PLAY Tonight

Quest Theatre Ensemble and the International Chamber Artists are proud to announce THE PEOPLE'S PASSION PLAY, a pageant performed with Quest's signature visually arresting large-scale puppetry set to Dvorak's Serenade for Winds, Opus 44, performed by members of the ICA ensemble.

ICA is Chicago's premier chamber music organization and Quest Theatre Ensemble is Chicago's oldest free theater. Both organizations are Artists-in-Residence at St. Gregory the Great Church, 5535 North Paulina Street in Andersonville, where THE PEOPLE'S PASSION PLAY will be performed on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m. This production marks their first collaboration. Dvorak's soaring music will accompany the Quest Ensemble's retelling of the greatest story ever told - the story of the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Quest Theatre Ensemble Artistic Director Andrew Park, who will direct THE PEOPLE'S PASSION PLAY, notes the history of theatrical performances in churches. "Some of the earliest and most highly produced theater took place in medieval churches. It's a true privilege to have the opportunity to resurrect this theatrical form, and carry on that ancient tradition in one of Chicago's most beautiful churches, St. Gregory the Great."

International Chamber Artists Artistic Director Patrick Godon says, "ICA is delighted to collaborate with Quest Theatre Ensemble in the unveiling of THE PEOPLE'S PASSION PLAY. This stirring combination of classical art music and large scale puppetry inspires wonder and awe. Through Dvorak's Serenade for Winds, ICA performers offer a musical landscape rich in texture and elegance," Park agrees.

"I really like Patrick's music selection. Dvorak's Serenade for Winds has an old world feel. It makes me think of castles, kings and peasants. It's a perfect score for a Passion Play with large, processional puppets and spectacle. Quest's folk art, seems to be a natural fit with this piece of music," International Chamber Artists Artistic Director Patrick Andrews says.

"ICA and Quest are natural partners," Park continued. "I'm glad this collaboration is finally happening! Both organizations are committed to making the Arts accessible. Just as Quest offers free theater to Chicagoans, ICA offers a wide variety of free concerts allowing incredible access to live music."

As always, all Quest performances are free, though for this special presentation a $20 donation is recommended. Reservations are not needed.

There is a special VIP experience including premium reserved seats with reception offering a chance to mingle with the artists following each performance. Tickets for the VIP Experience are $25.00 in advance, and can be purchased at questensemble.org/current.php. Contact Quest Theatre Ensemble at 312-458-0895 or visit questensemble.org or icamusic.org to learn more.

IF YOU GO:

THE PEOPLE'S PASSION PLAY
Directed by Andrew Park
Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 15 at 4 p.m.
5535 N Paulina Street, Chicago IL
www.questensemble.org
www.icamusic.org
Admission free, reservations not necessary
VIP Tickets can be purchased at questensemble.org/current.php

Quest Theatre Ensemble, founded in 2002, is known for its productions of established as well as original plays and musicals - and for its innovative visual design frequently including large-scale puppetry. Past productions have included their annual holiday pageant Blue Nativity performed in venues around Chicago every year since the company's founding; Broadway musicals (A Christmas Carol The Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods and Barnum); original pageants (Evolution/Creation, The People's History of the United States) and original book musicals (Tomato Queen, All the World's a Stage).

Quest Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to being the "People's Theatre of Chicago" by creating productions that Inform, Delight, Inspire and Unite." Committed to making theatre accessible to everyone, the ensemble choose stories that have universal appeal, finds innovative ways to engage the community and offers productions free of charge so anyone can participate.

In 2006 a small group of musicians formed the International Chamber Artists. ICA has grown steadily and responsibly, bringing emerging artists and great music to Chicago. What started out as an idea among friends has grown to become one of the premier chamber music organizations in Chicago. ICA is a non-profit chamber music ensemble currently made up of 23 musicians. To create the audience of the future, ICA strives to present a wide variety of music during each season. ICA concerts combine music education and performance in a unique and accessible way. ICA gives numerous concerts throughout the year at St. Gregory the Great Church in Andersonville, at the Chicago Cultural Center, at the Belden Stratford Hotel, at St. James Cathedral and on Chicago's classical radio station 98.7 WFMT. ICA has performed for the Dame Myra Hess concert series in Chicago, the "Mostly Music" concert series, the UIC concert series, and the Prairie Arts Center in Schaumburg series where they performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto.

In 2012, ICA began partnering with The Tower Chorale based out of Western Springs and was the recipient of a two year Target Corporation grant for Art and Culture in Schools. This allowed ICA to launch a Chamber Music for Kids initiative. Funding continued in 2014 for the Chamber Music for Kids initiative thanks to the Paul M. Angell Foundation. In April of 2011, ICA was invited by the Polish community of Chicago to do 3 multi-media performance presentations of the Mozart Requiem and Pergolesi Stabat Mater at St. Mary of the Angels Church, St. Gregory the Great Church, and St. Ferdinand's Church. These performances were to commemorate the tragic deaths of the Polish government officials that died in the April 2010 plane crash. In 2010, ICA gave and performances and master classes at the University of North Carolina in Pembroke and at North Park University in Chicago. In September 2009, ICA made its first international performance tour to Germany to critical acclaim. ICA began with a philanthropic mission, donating a portion of concert proceeds to local musical schools and featuring a student performance on each St. Gregory's concert.

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