Shakespeare Project Of Chicago Presents Free Performances Of Bloody Revenge Tragedy TITUS ANDRONICUS

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago continues its 24th Theatrical Reading Season with free performances of Shakespeare's gory tragedy TITUS ANDRONICUS, running Jan. 11-17, 2019, at eight Chicago-area venues, including two new venues for this season in La Grange and Elmhurst.

Considered to be Shakespeare's very first tragedy and by far his most violent, TITUS ANDRONICUS may have been co-authored with George Peale. It is representative of the revenge tragedy genre, popular at the time.

Titus, a victorious Roman general, returns from the war with the enemy in tow. He publicly refuses to show mercy to his fallen foe, Tamora Queen of the Goths, and executes her son. Unexpectedly, Tamora is elevated to empress of Rome, locking the two in a titan's battle for justice.

The drama may have delighted and at the same time horrified Elizabethan audiences by its pervasive violence throughout. Is there ever a point in this play where justice is finally, truly served? Or is the play caught in an endless loop of retribution? And if the latter, is loss of humanity the end result or is it just gory spectacle?

Michelle Shupe, Shakespeare Project associate artistic director, directs a cast that includes Kamran Abbassian, Joe Bianco, Matt Bowdren, Josh Carpenter, Aaron Christensen, Frankie DiCiaccio, Peter Garino, Kelly Lynn Hogan, Daniel Millhouse, Erin Neal, Bryan Wakefield and Brandon Wright. Savanna Rae and Christopher Vizurrago are the understudies.

The production features original music and sound design by George Zahora. Judy Blue is the assistant director and Erin Sloan is the dramaturg.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to depictions of graphic violence, this production is recommended for mature audiences only.

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago's Theatrical Readings are fully staged, book-in-hand performances featuring members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

Admission is free and seating is limited. All performances are preceded by an introduction to the play that commences 15 minutes prior to curtain.

Performance schedule

• Fri., Jan. 11, 7 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles (registration required, 847-663-1234)
• Sat., Jan. 12, 10 a.m., The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago
• Sat., Jan. 12, 2 p.m., Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
• Sun., Jan. 13, 2 p.m., Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park
• Mon., Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m., Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire (registration required, 847-634-3650)
• Tue., Jan. 15, 7:15 p.m., Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect (registration required, 847-253-5675)
• Wed., Jan. 16, 7:15 p.m., Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Road, LaGrange Park (708-482-6511 to request an invitation for Plymouth Place)
• Thurs., Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m., Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst (registration required, 630-279-8696)

The Shakespeare Projects's 2018/19 Theatrical Reading Season will continue in February with A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, directed by Melanie Keller.

For more information, visit www.shakespeareprojectchicago.org and www.facebook.com/shakespeareprojectchicago.