THE LAST BIG MISTAKE Opens at The Factory Theater's New Home in Rogers Park

Next month, The Factory Theater will open their first production at their new location on Howard Street in Rogers Park. THE LAST BIG MISTAKE, a new play by Ernie Deak set in 1970s Chicago, opens tonight, March 25. With support from Alderman Joe Moore and the Rogers Park Business Alliance, the relocation is part of an effort to draw new crowds to the neighborhood on the city's northern edge.

"Rogers Park is a neighborhood with a burgeoning arts scene, in which live theater plays a very important part. I am excited to see Factory Theater return to its Rogers Park roots and I am thrilled about live theater returning to Howard Street after a 25 year hiatus," said Alderman Moore.

The new theater at 1623 W Howard will share a block with a coffee shop, restaurant, and the Howard Red Line stop. The Factory Theater is currently working on partnerships with these and other local businesses to form a network of community support similar to the Glenwood Arts District a few blocks away. The entirety of Season 23 is eligible for the Rogers Park Flex Pass.

"Theaters can enrich a neighborhood culturally and financially. Just as the Glenwood Arts District helps shape the business landscape around it, we see enormous potential for Howard as The Factory Theater lays its foundation," said Paul Reise of the Rogers Park Business Alliance.

"This is a big step forward for our company. We're moving back to Rogers Park, where our company was founded more than twenty years ago. We plan to grow and stay for a long time," said Scott OKen, The Factory Theater Artistic Director.

Previews for THE LAST BIG MISTAKE will begin March 18, and the company plans to host neighborhood previews to invite the community to see the show. The production will open officially on March 25 at 8pm. The Factory Theater will also host a Launch Party on February 18 at R Public House at 1508 W Jarvis. The party will begin at 6pm and is aimed at introducing the company to the neighborhood.

For more information, visit thefactorytheater.com.

IF YOU GO:

THE LAST BIG MISTAKE
by Ernie Deak
Directed by Manny Tamayo
Previews: March 18-20, 2016
Opening Night: March 25, 2016 at 8pm, 1623 W Howard St
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm
Tickets: $10-$25 available at thefactorytheater.com and by calling 866-811-4111
Closes April 30, 2016

In one savage night in the summer of '75, Lola Knight and Roxy Aguilar make a series of increasingly awful decisions, all of them surrounding a strange little package they were hired to transport. Meanwhile, the rightful owner of that package is in town, bent on revenge and leaving a trail of bodies in his murderous wake as he searches for his property. Lola and Roxy fight their way across town; and though the night is over, their troubles have only just begun. They can't remember their first big mistake, but it's likely they won't forget their last big mistake.

Cast: Kevin Alves, Timothy C. Amos, Christy Arington, Kim Boler, Blake Dalzin, Angela DeMarco, Eric Loughlin, Eric Roach, Maureen Yasko

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