The Saint Sebastian Players Open Season With THE ELEPHANT MAN 10/21
By: Gabrielle Sierra
The Tony Award-winning play The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance opens the Saint Sebastian Players' 31st season October 21-November 13, 2011 at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, Chicago. In honor of those who have served our country in the military, SSP is offering all veterans free admission on Veterans Day, November 11.
Set against the backdrop of Victorian England's Whitechapel, the seedy London district made famous by Jack the Ripper, The Elephant Man tells the tale of Joseph Merrick, a side show attraction who transforms from object of disgust to society darling under the care of celebrated physician Frederick Treves. In this compelling drama, SSP sheds light on what it means to express our humanity.SSP company member Don Johnson, who has worked with Bloomington Playwrights Project and Detour Productions (Indiana), Red-Eye Collaboration and City Stages (Minnesota), Tuma Theatre (Alaska) and GroundUp Theatre (Chicago), makes his SSP directing debut. Johnson is examining the play through various lenses, applying a Brechtian point of view and, in some cases, nontraditional casting. Actress Simina Contras, who has performed at the National Theater of Romania in Sibiu, plays John Merrick. Douglas Werder, who previously appeared in SSP's Cash on Delivery and Picasso at the Lapin Agile, plays Frederick Treves. SSP member Julie Johnson plays the pivotal role of actress Mrs. Kendall. Other cast members include SSP member Jim Masini, as well as Sukie McWilliams, Jim Moore, Joe Oggionni, Jake Penzell, Deepti Ramakrishnan and Julia Rigby. Chad Bianchi is set designer, Paula Consdorf is costume designer, Adam T. Dunaway III is lighting/projection designer, Trevor Ketteman is assistant director/properties manager, and SSP member Jonathan Hagloch is producer.
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