Victory Gardens Will Open 2013-14 Season With APPROPRIATE, a Co-Production With Actors Theatre of Louisville

Victory Gardens Theater announces the first play of its 2013-14 Season: the Co-World Premiere of Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Gary Griffin. Appropriate is presented in association with Actors Theatre of Louisville and was developed, in part, by IGNITION 2012.

“Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is an undeniably unique, dynamic and political voice in American Theatre. Inspired by Chekhov and O'Neill, Branden's fiercely original play speaks powerfully and relevantly to America's timeless issues of race, history and family,” says Artistic Director Chay Yew. “I first read Branden's new play Appropriate during the selection process for Victory Gardens' 2012 IGNITION Festival. During the IGNITION workshop process—and before the public reading—I immediately promised him a production at Victory Gardens. I knew this play had to be experienced our Chicago audiences.”

He adds, “I'm extremely pleased to have one of this country's most exciting directors, Gary Griffin, join our VG family and direct our production. We are proud to partner with Les Waters and Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival to give Branden and Gary a longer creative process with Appropriate.”

The Co-World Premiere of
Appropriate

by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

directed by Gary Griffin

in association with Actors Theater of Louisville

When the Lafayettes descend upon a crumbling Arkansan plantation to liquidate their dead patriarch’s estate, his three adult children collide over clutter, debt, and a contentious family history. But after a disturbing discovery surfaces among their father’s possessions, the reunion takes a turn for the explosive, unleashing a series of crackling surprises and confrontations. A play about the trouble with inheritance, memory loss, and the art of repression.

Appropriate was developed, in part, at Vineyard Arts Project, Ashley Melone, Founder and Artistic Director; the 2012 Sundance Institute Theatre LAB at the Sundance Resort; and Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago, Illinois, Chay Yew, Artistic Director, Jan Kallish, Executive Director, as part of IGNITION 2012.