The Fine Print Theatre to Open A PLACE IN THE WOODS, 4/5

The Fine Print Theatre Company will produce the world premiere of Erik Gernand's new play "A Place in the Woods," this spring?the second Chicago­-based world premiere from the playwright in less than a year.

The critically acclaimed production of his play "The Beautiful Dark," premiered at Redtwist Theatre last summer, before migrating east. Mr. Gernand has created complicated, recognizable people who are, like most of us, victims of their own flaws." The play went on to be recommended for the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, is the recipient of the 2012 New Works Project Winner at T. Schreiber Studio in New York, and was a finalist for the Woodward/Newman Drama Award.

In line with Gernand's previous work and the mission of The Fine Print, "A Place in the Woods" addresses compelling cultural phenomena of the present time (eg, gay rights, the rise of Alzheimer's) through a story driven by character and relationship. When his mother is found incoherent and wandering on a country road late one night, Shaun, a gay man living in Chicago, is called back to his childhood home in small­town Indiana that he has all but abandoned. With his teenage son in tow, Shaun is forced to confront this present crisis, as well as a past trauma that won't stay hidden.

Gernand began a relationship with The Fine Print, and artistic director Patrick Kenney, in the first year of the company's new play competition, Citizens Play Festival, and won, with a project that would grow to become "A Place in the Woods."

Kenney is a co­founder of Fine Print, where he most recently directed the world premiere of "Boy Small" by MT Cozzola.

"A Place in the Woods" features James Bould as Shaun, with Barbara Berndt in the role of the ailing matriarch. Jacob Bond, who originated the role of Charlie in "The Beautiful Dark," appears as Shaun's teenage son. Also featured, are Mike Rice, artistic director of Ex­Pats Theatre, and Chicago storyteller Natasha Tsoutsouris.

The Fine Print Theatre Company presents "A Place in the Woods," by Erik Gernand, directed by Patrick Kenney. The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway, April 5-May 4. Shows are Thur­Sat @ 8pm and Sun @ 3pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at thefineprinttheatre.org or by calling 312­945­7966.