Writer's Theatre Extends A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Through 7/18

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the extension of Tennessee Williams' critically-acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by David Cromer. Due to demand, the production has been extended through July 18 at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. Tickets are on sale through the Writers' Theatre box office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org.

One of Chicago's foremost directors takes on one of the country's greatest plays. After staging last season's acclaimed production of Picnic, David Cromer returns to Writers' Theatre. Blanche DuBois, an aging southern belle, arrives unexpectedly on the doorstep of her sister Stella and her explosive brother-in-law Stanley. Over the course of one hot and steamy New Orleans summer, Blanche's fragile façade slowly crumbles, wreaking havoc on Stella and Stanley's already turbulent relationship. Embodying the turmoil and drama of a changing nation, A Streetcar Named Desire strips Williams' tortured characters of their illusions, leaving a wake of destruction in their path.

Schedule: Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. There will be no performances on July 4 or 6:00 p.m. performances on June 13 or July 18
Wednesday Matinees: 2:00 p.m., June 9 and 30 only

Pre-show lectures: June 6
Post-show discussions: June 16 and 22

Location: Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Prices: Prices for all performances range from $50 - $65.
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe;
847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org

"As usual, David's skill for breathing fresh life into a play has challenged us to look anew at a play we thought we knew," said Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "As with Picnic, together with his team, he has crafted a design that offers our audiences an exhilarating new way to interact with our theatre and which allows us to experience the play at intensively new levels of intimacy."

The cast includes Andrew Burden Swanson (Ensemble), Esteban Andres Cruz (Pablo), Jenn Engstrom (Eunice), Ryan Hallahan (Young Collector), Derek Hasenstab, (Doctor) Matt Hawkins (Stanley), Loren Lazerine, (Steve), Natasha Lowe (Blanche), Danny McCarthy (Mitch), Carolyn E. Nelson (Colored Woman/Matron), Stacy Stoltz (Stella) and Rosario Vargas (Mexican Woman).

The designers are Collette Pollard (scenic), Janice Pytel (costume), Heather Gilbert (lighting) and Josh Schmidt (sound).

David Cromer (Director) returns to Writers' Theatre where he directed Picnic, Booth, The Price and Oscar Remembered. Most recently he directed When the Rain Stops Falling at Lincoln Center Theater, for which he won a Lucille Lortel Award for Direction. Broadway credits: Brighton Beach Memoirs. New York credits: Our Town (Barrow Street Theatre, 2009 Obie and Lortel Awards for Direction), Adding Machine (Minetta Lane Theatre, 2008 Obie and Lortel Awards for Direction) and Orson's Shadow (Barrow Street Theatre). Other Chicago credits include: Come Back, Little Sheba (Shattered Globe), Cider House Rules (Famous Door), Angels in America (Journeymen), The Dazzle, Golden Boy, Orson's Shadow (Steppenwolf Theatre Company). Regional credits include: The Glass Menagerie (Kansas City Repertory), The Farnsworth Invention, SantaLand Diaries, Orson's Shadow (Alley Theatre).

TICKET INFORMATION
Performances are through July 18, 2010. Curtain times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. There will be no performances on July 4 or 6:00 p.m. performances on June 13 or July 18. Wednesday matinees will be performed at 2:00 p.m. on June 9 and 30.

Tickets are $50-$65 and are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe; 847-242-6000 or online at www.writerstheatre.org.

Many performances for the initial run are already sold out. Patrons are encouraged to book tickets early for best availability.

TWEET SEATS
New this season, Writers' introduced Tweet Seats, a day-of ticket discount program. Follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter (Twitter.com/WritersTheatre) and everyday by 3pm, Writers' will Tweet a code that can be used to purchase remaining seats for that day's performance at a discount. Tweet Seats are available for purchase only through the Writers' Theatre website at writerstheatre.org.

WRITERS' PARTNERS
Writers' Theatre is delighted to welcome Magnetar Capital back as Corporate Production Sponsor for A Streetcar Named Desire. This marks Magnetar Capital's third year collaborating with Writers' Theatre, following successful partnerships on our world premiere production of A Minister's Wife, and our production of As You Like It.

A Streetcar Named Desire is also supported by The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation.

The Writers' Theatre season is underwritten, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

DiPescara is a 2009/10 Season Restaurant Partner. Patrons receive 10% off their guest check when they present their ticket stub when ordering. Di Pescara is one of the North Shore's top restaurants, named among the city's best new restaurants by Chicago magazine. This Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, conveniently located at 2124 Northbrook Court, is just five minutes from the theater. Call 847-498-4321 to make your reservation.

Writers' Theatre introduces a new 2009/10 Season Restaurant Partner, Winnetka's award-winning, Restaurant Michael. Featuring impeccably crafted cuisine of the freshest local and organic ingredients, Restaurant Michael prepares classic, haute cuisine, in a unique and contemporary presentation with French country flair. Writers' Theatre patrons receive 10% off their guest check when they present their ticket stub when ordering. Just 10 minutes from the theater at 64 Green Bay Road, Restaurant Michael is the perfect fit for any dining occasion. Call 847-441-3100 to make your reservation.

For more information about Writers' 2009/10 Restaurant Partners and offer restrictions visit writerstheatre.org/visitus.

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.

You can find Writers' Theatre on Facebook or follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter at Twitter.com/WritersTheatre. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.