Shattered Globe Theatre presents THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, Opens 1/16

Launching its 19th season, Shattered Globe Theatre will present Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane, previewing January 13, opening January 16th and running through February 27, 2011, at the Athenaeum Theatre, Studio 2, 2936 N. Southport in Chicago. Steve Scott will direct.

Filled with biting humor and unforgettable characters, The Beauty Queen of Leenane tells the story of Maureen, a sardonic 40-year-old Irishwoman, whose brash exterior masks an uncertain past. Embittered by years of servitude under her demanding mother, Maureen unexpectedly crosses paths with a man from her girlhood, who sparks the hope of escape and unleashes a series of events that disrupts the rural tranquility of County Connemara.

Playwright Martin McDonagh is well known for writing and directing the film, In Bruges (2008), for which he received the BAFTA Award for Original Screenplay, and a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award nomination. The New York production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.

The cast of The Beauty Queen of Leenane features Shattered Globe ensemble members Linda Reiter AEA as Mag, Eileen Niccolai as Maureen, and Kevin Viol as Ray, as well as guest artist Joe Wiens as Pato.

The production staff includes Shattered Globe ensemble members Shelley Strasser (Lighting Design), Steve Key (Prosthetics Design), Roger Smart (Sound Design) and Gwynn Fulcher (Stage Manager). Shattered Globe Protegé Company member, Dan Wilson serves as Props Designer and ensemble member Mike Falevits will Assistant Direct. Additionally, guest artists include Amy Chisman (Scenic Design), Joanna Melville (Costume Design) and Jason Martin (Dialect Coach).

The performance schedule of The Beauty Queen of Leenane is Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $32 for Friday and Saturday evening performances, $27 for Sunday matinees, and $25 for Thursday performances. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com and at 800-982-2787, as well as in person at the Athenaeum box office, open Tuesday-Friday, 3pm-7 pm. Preview performances will run January 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets for preview performances are $20.

Industry tickets are available for $15 for all preview performances and every Thursday through February 3, with a headshot and resume. Students and seniors with ID will also receive $5 off single tickets. Patrons who show a ticket stub from any About Face, Eclipse, MPAACT, New RockTheatre, Remy Bumppo or Steppenwolf shows, will receive $5 off regular ticket prices. Group discounts are also available at $5 off each ticket in groups of six or more and $10 off each ticket in groups of ten or more.

The Athenaeum Theatre
Athenaeum Theatre is located 2936 N. Southport. Directions: The closest "L" stop is the Brown Line at Wellington Ave. Then walk 4 blocks west to Southport. Turn left on Southport and go to 2936 N. Southport. By car, The Athenaeum is at the junction of Southport, Oakdale and Lincoln Avenues. There is a small parking lot behind the theatre, which is shared with St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Enter this parking lot on Oakdale Street. There is a second parking lot on the corner of Southport Ave. and Oakdale St. Enter this parking lot on Southport Ave. Both lots operate a "Pay and Display" system.

About Shattered Globe Theatre
Shattered Globe Theatre's mission is to bring global theater home to Chicago. Shattered Globe Theatre seeks to inspire social discourse by raising questions rather than espousing philosophy; to stimulate artistic growth and broaden the perspectives of both the artist and the audience. To this end, Shattered Globe Theatre enriches its ensemble by absorbing and nurturing diverse emerging theatrical talent; engaging its audiences by means of challenging and inventive interaction; and bringing audiences dynamic re-imaginings of classic works and premiere productions that celebrate new voices and innovative viewpoints.

For more information on Shattered Globe, visit www.shatteredglobe.org.