Remy Bumppo Theatre Company to Conclude 2011-12 Season With CHESAPEAKE

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's 2011/2012 season, The American Evolution, exploring transformational experiences in U.S. history, concludes with Lee Blessing's one-person comedy Chesapeake.

The production reunites Remy Bumppo Artistic Associates Shawn Douglass as director and Greg Matthew Anderson from Remy Bumppo's 2010 production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Greg Matthew Anderson plays Kerr, a performance artist targeted by a conservative senator with a loveable Chesapeake Bay retriever for a companion. Chesapeake runs March 28 - April 29, 2012 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Opening/Press Night is Monday, April 2 at 7:00 p.m. Single tickets are on sale now at www.remybumppo.org or by calling the box office at 773-404-7336 (773-40-GREEN). Controversial performance artist Kerr has his NEA funding threatened in a calculated, political trick by his hometown candidate, the folksy, dog-toting Therm Pooley. For revenge, Kerr attempts a dog-napping to reveal that the Senator has the public on a leash. But the Universe exacts its own fantastical revenge on Kerr. Fate, along with the help of some good belly rubs, compels Kerr to sit and stay closer to the Senator than he ever could have imagined. Blessing celebrates the inner life of our canine companions and spots the artist-activist in us all. 

In a nod to the election year, Remy Bumppo's final show of the American Evolution season looks at how political parties use stories and scapegoats to control public dialogue and win votes. Blessing's imaginative tour de force for one actor waswritten in 1999 in the wake of the political battles over NEA funding.

Chesapeake is directed by Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Shawn Douglass and features Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Greg Matthew Anderson. The production team includes scenic design by Tim Mann, lighting by JR Lederle, costumes by Jacqueline Firkins, and sound design by Rick Sims. 

Remy Bumppo's 2011/2012 Season is made possible in part by Prince Charitable Trusts, The Illinois Arts Council, by Terri Abruzzo Callahan and Dave Callahan, and by a City Arts Program 3 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. Remy Bumppo's production of Chesapeake is sponsored in part by Bruce and Mary Feay and Nancy McDaniel.

For more information, visit www.remybumppo.org.