Victory Gardens Theater Announces Ameriville and Oedipus El Rey

From its founding in 1974 through the present day, Victory Gardens Theater has dedicated itself to playwrights and their works as well as emphasizing the development of an ethnically and culturally diverse community of artists. Recipient of the 2001 Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Victory Gardens continues to expand on its new works initiative through its 14-member Playwrights Ensemble, as well as work from playwrights who are changing theater in the United States and abroad. Victory Gardens has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater.

AMERIVILLE
by Universes
developed with and directed by Chay Yew
Jan 27 - Feb 26, 2012

This thrilling exploration of the American experience prowls the dark corners of our contemporary landscape, peering through the lens of Hurricane Katrina to ask "if it happened again, would we be ready?" A brilliantly theatrical evening infused with the rhythms of hip-hop, Ameriville is a passionate and hopeful vision of a community's responsibility to one another amidst a nation in turmoil--performed by the celebrated performance ensemble Universes and developed by Victory Gardens Artistic Director Chay Yew.

"Ameriville is a highly entertaining performance piece fusing hip-hop, poetry, flamenco, standup comedy and spoken word. Universes weaves this electrifying 80-minute theatrical exploration of race, class, poverty, immigration and political awareness into a great adventure about what it means to be American." - Chay Yew

For more information, and to hear what Chay has to say about Ameriville, visit our website.

(What We're Up Against by Theresa Rebeck, which was previously announced, has been replaced due to scheduling conflicts.)

In Luis Alfaro's thrilling reboot of the daddy of all tragedies, a juvenile delinquent from South Central sets off on his journey to be the king of gangland. Set amid the sizzling rhythms and explosive violence of the L.A. barrio, the tale follows his family of ex-cons through the cycle of fate and violence in which they find themselves trapped. Oedipus el Rey is a sexy, dangerous and modern Latino take on a classic.

"Against the contemporary backdrop of a Los Angeles barrio, Oedipus el Rey explores the notions of fate through the milieu of prison and gang culture. As Chicagoans, we know these problems remain very close to home." - Chay Yew

For information, and to hear what Chay has to say about Oedipus El Rey, visit our website.

Chicago Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. RENT (Highland Park Players)

7.3% of votes

2. HAIRSPRAY (Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park)

7.2% of votes

3. THE WIZARD OF OZ (Up and Coming Theatre/Elgin Summer Theater)

6.5% of votes

Vote Now!