Saint Sebastian Players Present FIGMENTS, Now thru 5/20

To conclude its 31st season, the Saint Sebastian Players present the farce Figments, which celebrates writer's block and the power of the imagination, written by Billy St. John. Performances take place tonight, April 27 through May 20.

Did David die? Will Louise be able to stop Winston from killing Veronica? If only playwright Rick Jacobs could get past his massive case of writer's block…not to mention the interruptions from his upstairs neighbor Loni, who he is secretly and desperately in love with, and his typical Jewish mother, who constantly criticizes and cleans. As this farce unfolds, we meet the "figments" of Rick's imagination-his fantasy versions of himself, Loni, his mother and more-as well as the characters from his stalled play. Eventually, the people and the "figments" help Rick resolve the issues in his life-on the page and in real life.

Making his SSP directing debut is Jack Dugan Carpenter, whose past Chicago directing credits include Caesura: A Butchery for RBP Rorshach Theatre, The Alchemist for Boho Heartland Studio and The Armageddon Dance Party for Gorilla Tango Theatre. The cast includes SSP members Nancy Pollock and Ned Ricks, as well as Chad Brown, S. Drew Brown, Angela Bullard, Carrie Campana, Max Ganet, Hank Hilbert, Melissa Imbrogno, Kristen King, Ken Mooney, Alexis Schaetzle, Doug Werder and Michelle Ziccarelli. Alex Bozeman is set designer, Paula Consdorf is costume designer, John Jacobsen is lighting designer, SSP member Jim Masini is props designer, Harrison James Adams is sound designer, Rachel page is assistant director, and SSP member Jonathan Hagloch is producer.

SSP began producing theatre in 1982 at its original home, the St. Sebastian parish, located at the corner of Halsted Street and Wellington Avenue on Chicago's North Side. When the parish closed, SSP relocated to its current home, St. Bonaventure, at 1625 W. Diversey. During its history, the company has produced original and previously produced dramas, comedies and musicals; original audience-participation murder mysteries for special events; and the Monologue Matchup Competition, as well as provided support for smaller Sebastian Studio Projects produced by company members. A complete list of mainstage productions are available on SSP's website.

Figments runs April 27–May 20, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, at Marshfield just west of Ashland, in Chicago. Free parking is available in two lots. Full-priced single tickets are $15, $10 for students with valid IDs and $7 for seniors and children younger than 12. Group rates also are available. All programming is subject to change. For information, call 773-404-7922 or visit saintsebastianplayers.org.

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