Writers' Theatre Announces Their 2010-11 Season

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the company's 19th season, which includes Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's She Loves Me, directed by Michael Halberstam with an all-star Chicago cast; the world premiere of Brett Neveu's Do The Hustle, directed by William Brown; and George Bernard Shaw's Heartbreak House, directed by William Brown. As a limited engagement, currently available only to Writers' Theatre Subscribers and Members, Gary Griffin will direct the world premiere of Keith Huff's The Detective's Wife.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam comments, "Our 19th season is shaping up to be a classic blend of old and new. We open the season by breathing new life into the American classic She Loves Me. We return to George Bernard Shaw, our most produced playwright with Heartbreak House under the able guidance of William Brown. Two world premieres from two of Chicago's finest writers, one a realized commission from Brett Neveu through the generosity of the David and Mary Winton Green Literary Development Initiative, and one with a new friend, Keith Huff, who brought his play to us last January. There's one production still to be determined but it will be helmed by new Associate Artistic Director Stuart Carden and we're all looking forward to welcoming his creativity into the intimacy of the Writers' Theatre experience."

Writers' Theatre performs in two performance spaces in Glencoe - its 50-seat venue at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Ave, and its 108-seat theatre at 325 Tudor Court in the Woman's Library Club. Subscriptions and Memberships are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe, 847-242-6000 and www.writerstheatre.org.

THE 2010/11 WRITERS' THEATRE SEASON IS:

She Loves Me
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Musical Direction by Ben Johnson
Directed by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam

September 14 - November 21, 2010
Press Night is September 23, 2010
Performed at 325 Tudor Court

Featuring Guy Adkins, Heidi Kettenring, Sean Krill, Ross Lehman and Rod Thomas
Additional casting TBA.

Often considered the "perfect" musical by aficionados, She Loves Me delights audiences and critics alike. Set in a 1930's European perfumery, we meet shop clerks Amalia and Georg, who more often than not, don't see eye to eye. After both respond to a "lonely hearts advertisement" in the newspaper, they now live for the love letters they exchange, but the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Discover with Amalia and Georg the identity of their true loves and all the twists and turns along the way! Performed as an intimate chamber musical on the Tudor Court stage, She Loves Me appeals to all ages and is a romantic and charming musical adventure of the heart.

World Premiere
Do The Hustle
By Brett Neveu
Directed by William Brown

January 25 - March 20, 2011
Press night is February 3, 2011
Performed at 325 Tudor Court

Sam and Eddie Sisson are more than just father and son, they're a crack team of hustlers always looking for the next mark. Sam, just a teenager who has practically raised himself, now wants to distinguish himself from his father and strike out on his own. Eddie doesn't want to let his son go without one final hustle, which could bring in their biggest take yet, but could ultimately tear them apart. Celebrated director William Brown and acclaimed playwright Brett Neveu team up again to bring this thrilling world premiere to the Tudor Court stage.

Heartbreak House
By George Bernard Shaw
Directed by William Brown

April 19 - June 26, 2011
Press night is April 28, 2011
Performed at 325 Tudor Court

The nation is on the brink of massive change, but is its leadership up to the seemingly insurmountable challenges that lie ahead? Meanwhile in the English countryside on the estate of Captain Shotover, an extraordinary assemblage of guests gather to reunite and reacquaint. Affairs begin, engagements end and hearts and minds become irreparably ensnared in a young woman's dilemma-whether to marry for love or for money. George Bernard Shaw-the unequivocal master of wit and social thought-bitingly chronicles the demise of the leisure class in his favorite play Heartbreak House.

Plus one more production in the Books on Vernon venue yet to be announced.

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT:
World Premiere
The Detective's Wife
By Keith Huff
Directed by Gary Griffin

June 7 - July 31, 2011
Press nights are June 15 & 16, 2011
Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue

Featuring Barbara Robertson

Three of Chicago's finest talents come together to create a tour-de-force evening of theatre: playwright Keith Huff, fresh from his box office record breaking Broadway debut of A Steady Rain and writer for AMC's award-winning drama Mad Men; Broadway director and multi award-winning favorite Gary Griffin and Barbara Robertson, one of Chicago's greatest actresses, bring you this exclusive special engagement.

Alice Conroy is the mother of two grown children, owner of a frame shop and the long-time wife of a Chicago homicide detective, but when her husband is gunned down on the job, she sets out to find out who did it...and why.

The Detective's Wife currently only available to Writers' Theatre Subscribers and Members.

Writers' Theatre season ticket packages provide a convenient theatergoing experience and guarantee access to all of Writers' highly-anticipated productions in the 2010/11 Season. The Writers' Theatre Membership is $185 and provides ultimate flexibility. The Subscription is $200 and offers patrons a preset schedule with the guarantee of the same seats for all of their originally scheduled performances in the Tudor Court venue.

Subscribers and Members receive exclusive benefits including free ticket exchanges by phone, mail and fax, show reminders by email before each scheduled performance, a one-year subscription to The Brief Chronicle newsmagazine and more. For a complete list of benefits visit writerstheatre.org.

Subscriptions and Memberships are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe, 847-242-6000 and writerstheatre.org.

SPECIAL SERIES:
Pre-Show Lecture
Writers' Theatre guest artists will guide patrons through the inner-workings of each production. By providing details that enhance the Writers' Theatre experience, each lecture will increase audience appreciation for the production to follow. Pre-show lectures are offered free of charge and open to the public. See individual production schedules for pre-show lectures.

Post-Show Discussions
Writers' Theatre artistic staff and cast members will host lively post-show discussions. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the process, the characters and the production. Post-show discussions are offered at no additional cost after Wednesday evening performances.

About Writers' Theatre
Writers' Theatre is a professional company focusing on the Word and the Artist. Remaining true to the intention of the playwright and nurturing the artist stand at the center of the mission. Now in its 18th season, the company both revives classic scripts and cultivates new works and adaptations while invigorating them with fresh energy in the intimacy of its venues. Founded in 1992, Writers' Theatre performed exclusively at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue for the first 12 years. In the fall of 2003, the organization opened a new 108 seat performance venue at 325 Tudor Court. Today, Writers' Theatre continues to produce in both spaces, maintaining an intimate theatrical experience for audiences. Since 2000, the subscriber base has grown almost 250%, from 1,500 to more than 5,200 today. With an operating budget of $3.3 million, Writers' Theatre is supported by a staff of 18 full-time employees and a 31-member Board of Trustees.