Strawdog Completes Its 21st Season W/ Barnes' RED NOSES

Strawdog Theatre Company completes their 21st season with Peter Barnes' dark comedy "Red Noses," directed by House Theatre's Matt Hawkins. In Barnes' 1985 Olivier Award-winning play, the Black Plague has wiped out half of Europe's 14th century population, so God gives the young priest Father Flote a special mission to save his suffering people ... make 'em laugh. Flote gathers a band of desperately untalented misfits, turns them into clowns and together they search for salvation with hilarity. Hawkins, who also directed House's hit production of "Hatfield & McCoy," makes his Strawdog directing debut with a 23-person cast. "Red Noses" runs about two hours and ten minutes with one intermission, and includes free admittance to Strawdog Late Night following the Friday and Saturday shows (Late Night schedule available at www.strawdog.org).

Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60613
Red Line Sheridan stop; 36-Broadway and 80-Irving Park buses
$6 honor parking at Greeley School, 832 W. Sheridan, weekends after 5 p.m.

Opens Sunday, April 19, 2009, 7 p.m. (reception following)
Closes on Saturday, May 23, 2009
Runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m.
Previews on April 16 and April 17 at 8 p.m.
Special gala benefit performance on Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. ($40 ticket)
Added industry show on Monday, April 27 at 8 p.m. ($5 industry/$20 regular)
Added Thursday shows on May 14 and 21 at 8 p.m. ($20 ticket)

TICKETS: 773-528-9696, or visit www.strawdog.org
$20 for all regular performances
$15 for students and seniors (with ID), and for groups of ten or more
$10 for previews
$40 for Gala Benefit on April 18, including cocktails and appetizers
$5 for industry show on April 27 (with resume/headshot/card); $20 otherwise
Regular ticket purchase also includes admittance to Strawdog Late Nights (improv, comedy, music, etc.) directly after Friday and Saturday night shows

Strawdog ensemble members Nic Dimond (Scenic Design), Aly Renee Greaves (Costume Design) and Cortney Hurley (Production Manager), with guest artists Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Matt Hawkins (Director), Mike Pryzgoda (Sound Design) and Clare Roche (Stage Manager).

Strawdog ensemble members John Ferrick (Father Flote), Carmine Grisolia (Rochfort), Kyle Hamman (Brodin), Shannon Hoag (Marguerite), Anderson Lawfer (Le Grue), and Michaela Petro (Scarron), with guest artists Christy Arrington (Flagellant), Paul Fagen (Toulon), Kyle Gibson (Player), Sarah Goeden (Sonnerie), Matt Kahler (Boutros Brother), Allison Latta (Flagellant), Rob McLean (Archbishop Monselet), Marika Mashburn (Druce), Tom Mondala (Player), John Moran (Player), Chelsea Paice (Player), Eric Pogrelis (Boutros Brother), Eric Roach (Grez), Michael E. Smith (Frapper), Stephen Taylor (Pope/Master Pestilence), Andrew Trygstad (Bembo) and Justine C. Turner (Player).

British screenwriter and playwright Peter Barnes' (1931-2004) work includes the Academy Award-nominated films "The Ruling Class" (1972) and "Enchanted April" (1992). His stage work includes "Leonardo's Last Supper" (1969), "The Bewitched" (1974), "Laughter!" (1978), "Sunsets and Glories" (1990), "Dreaming" (1999), and "Jubilee" (2001).

Strawdog's Late Night Schedule for Winter 2009
Fridays and Saturdays Begin at 11 p.m.; Sundays at 10 p.m.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues Late Night offerings as part of their 21st anniversary season, with free or low-cost shows following Friday and Saturday performances of "Cherry Orchard" (which runs February 22-March 28, 2009), as well as on Sunday nights (plus Thursday, March 19). Late Night patrons must be 21 or over. The Friday Late Night is "Strawdog Welcomes," featuring guest artists and companies with various entertainment acts. Saturdays bring "Strawdog Presents," showcasing Strawdog ensemble members and their programming, including "The Game Show Show and Stuff," "The Mic," "The Direct-Off," and "Kyle's Basement," as well as live music, improvisation and the like. The "Strawdog Sunday Showcase" presents live music, stand-up comedy, improv, and variety acts (musical group Butterscotch on the Rocks is featured throughout March). Winter 2009 schedule listed below (subject to change - visit www.strawdog.org for details).

Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60613
Red Line Sheridan stop; 36-Broadway and 80-Irving Park buses
$6 honor parking at Greeley School, 832 W. Sheridan, weekends after 5 p.m.

February 21 to March 28, 2009
Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m.; Sundays at 10 p.m.
Thursday, March 19, 10 p.m.

Publish this number: 773-528-9696
Free with Strawdog mainstage ticket purchase (same night only)
$5-$10 cover for certain events - see below or visit www.strawdog.org for details

February 2009 Late Night Events:

Saturday, February 21, "Cherry Orchard" gala opening ($40) with DJ Gregor Mortis. Ensemble member, Jeff Award-winning sound designer and Charybdis arts organization founder Mortis has been a deejay for over 15 years. Admission includes complimentary beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres.

Sunday, February 22, "Cherry Orchard" opening night party (FREE); meet the cast and director Kimberly Senior, with DJs and live music.

Friday, February 27, Hank Boland Presents: Late Night College of Public Domain Knowledge ($5) - Strawdog ensemble member Boland presents a compilation of classic Public Domain Educational films for the amusement and edification of the audience, with the theme "General Knowledge." Films include VD is for Everyone (1969), Beer in America (1952), Sudden Birth (1966), and others. Program begins at 11p.m. and runs approximately one hour with an intermission. Bar open from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Saturday, February 28, Roast of Shade Murray (FREE) - ensemble member and host of "The Game Show Show and Stuff" Anderson Lawfer is Master of Ceremonies for this Friar's Club-style roast, "honoring" Chicago director Shade Murray, whose Strawdog credits include "R.U.R.- Rossum's Universal Robots" and the Jeff Award-winning "Marathon '33" and "Detective Story."

March 2009 Late Night Events:

Sunday, March 1, Butterscotch on the Rocks ($5) - Songwriters Chris Gingrich (formerly of The Working Title) and Henry Riggs develop songs through improvisation, and are occasionally joined by their friends, brothers Matthew and Evan Bivins (formerly of Jump, Little Children). Butterscotch on the Rocks has been described as They Might Be Giants meets The Avett Brothers.

Monday, March 2, Talkback Podcast (FREE, directly after the 8 p.m. play performance) - Strawdog ensemble members Aly Renee Greaves, Carmine Grisolia, Michael Dailey, and Mikhail Fiksel host an entertaining and informative post show talkback/talk show after the added industry performance of "Cherry Orchard." Guests will include cast and company members, and the discussion will be recorded and aired as a part of the Strawdog podcast (available for download at www.strawdog.org).

Saturday, March 7, Direct-Off #5 (FREE) - Hosted by ensemble member Gregor Mortis, Strawdog once again brings you this late-night battle between Chicago's finest theatre directors. The challenge consists of two scenes, two actors, and two props, critiqued by local celebrity judges. Past participants have included Henry Godinez, Sean Graney, Anthony Moseley, Ann Filmer and many others.

Sunday, March 8, Butterscotch on the Rocks ($5) - Songwriters Chris Gingrich (formerly of The Working Title) and Henry Riggs develop songs through improvisation, and are occasionally joined by their friends, brothers Matthew and Evan Bivins (formerly of Jump, Little Children). Butterscotch on the Rocks has been described as They Might Be Giants meets The Avett Brothers. Please note that Daylight Saving Time begins this day.

Friday, March 13, Wigger Lover ($10) - White Boy + Black Dad = Grey Areas. The hysterical account of an interracial family in a segregated city at pivotal time: Chicago, 1979. A one man show written and performed by Strawdog ensemble member James Anthony Zoccoli.

Saturday, March 14, Kyle's Basement (FREE) - The next installment of this "variety underground," featuring sketch comedy, cooking segments, the nightly news and special musical guests - more info at kylesbasement.blogspot.com

Sunday, March 15, Butterscotch on the Rocks ($5) - Songwriters Chris Gingrich (formerly of The Working Title) and Henry Riggs develop songs through improvisation, and are occasionally joined by their friends, brothers Matthew and Evan Bivins (formerly of Jump, Little Children). Butterscotch on the Rocks has been described as They Might Be Giants meets The Avett Brothers.

Thursday March 19, Strawdog Family Game Night (FREE, directly after the 8 p.m. play performance) - Join Strawdog company members for an evening of board games, video games and good-old-fashioned family fun.

Saturday, March 21, The Mic (FREE) - Strawdog ensemble member emeritus Noah Simon hosts this Late Night classic, featuring several of Chicago's noted open mic performers.

Sunday, March 22, Butterscotch on the Rocks ($5) - Songwriters Chris Gingrich (formerly of The Working Title) and Henry Riggs develop songs through improvisation, and are occasionally joined by their friends, brothers Matthew and Evan Bivins (formerly of Jump, Little Children). Butterscotch on the Rocks has been described as They Might Be Giants meets The Avett Brothers.

Friday, March 27, Hit Factory Presents (FREE) - Ensemble playwrights from Strawdog's playwriting initiative The Hit Factory present new work based on foreclosure. Strawdog ensemble member Michaela Petro directs the evening in radio theatre style with live Foley and music, and featuring several cast members of "Cherry Orchard." Hosted by ensemble member Hank Boland.

Saturday, March 28, Cherry Orchard Puppet Show (FREE) - An hilarious Strawdog tradition of ensemble members sending up every production with an affectionate puppet version.

Strawdog Theatre Company is committed to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach, offering Chicago the premiere storefront theatre experience. We develop new work, reimagine classic plays, explore new fusions of music and theatre, ask provocative questions and deliver our audience the unexpected. We provide a home for our celebrated ensemble to work and play with the most sought after artists in Chicago theatre along with the best new talents in the city. Founded in 1988, the Strawdog ensemble has consistently produced shows built on authentic human connections, and our comfortable 70-seat home in Lakeview is perfect for offering our audience a quintessential Chicago storefront theatre experience. "The whole wide world in a little black box." Strawdog is a proud member of the NortHalsted Area Merchant Association, The Chicago Storefront Theatre District and the League of Chicago Theatres.

Strawdog Theatre Company was formed in 1988 by a group of actors who had performed together in a production of Euripides's "Helen" at a (now defunct) theatre on the west side. The group took their name from Sam Peckinpah's movie "Straw Dogs" (Theatresaurus Rex was, thankfully, the runner-up), and they produced their first show, Len Jenkin's "Five of Us" at a (now defunct) space in Bucktown. At the time, the Chicago Reader said "Strawdog Theatre Company's inaugural production brings ... truth home with a vengeance," and Skyline Chicago added "The Strawdog troupe shows us what an ensemble can do." Twenty years later, Strawdog Theatre Company has survived the ups and downs of Chicago theatre, and is still dedicated to bringing the truth to audiences through the committed work of an award-winning ensemble of actors and designers.

Strawdog Theatre Company, 773-528-9889 www.strawdog.org