Doug MacKechnie News

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, opening October 4 and running through November 2, 2014. The production is written by First Folio Artistic Associate Joseph Zettelmaier, who recently opened the World Premiere of his play Salvage at First Folio Theatre to sold-out audiences. Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) will direct. The cast is led by Craig Spidle (Brigadoon at The Goodman Theatre, Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre) as "Kurt" (The Gravedigger), Joshua Caroll as "Anton" (The Monster), Simina Contras as "Nadya" (A Gypsy), and Doug MacKechnie as "Victor" (The Creator).

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews today, October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014.

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. Scroll down for some creepy promo pics!

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. The production is written by First Folio Artistic Associate Joseph Zettelmaier, who recently opened the World Premiere of his play Salvage at First Folio Theatre to sold-out audiences. Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) will direct. The cast is led by Craig Spidle (Brigadoon at The Goodman Theatre, Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre) as 'Kurt' (The Gravedigger), Joshua Caroll as 'Anton' (The Monster), Simina Contras as 'Nadya' (A Gypsy), and Doug MacKechnie as 'Victor' (The Creator).

16th Street Theater, a part of the North Berwyn Park District, is proud to announce the world premiere of Robert Koon's MENORCA directed by Ann Filmer performing September 9 - October 16, 2010 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, with a press opening of Thursday, September 16 at 7:30 PM.

16th Street Theater, a part of the North Berwyn Park District, is proud to announce the world premiere of Robert Koon's MENORCA directed by Ann Filmer performing September 9 - October 16, 2010 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, with a press opening of Thursday, September 16 at 7:30 PM.

I support the promotion of local playwrights, especially women. However, 'Lucinda's Bed' plays into every stereotyped moment of a woman's life: self-consciousness, violence, guilt, fear. Don't get me wrong. A stereotype is a stereotype because there is some kernel of truth to it. Who hasn't had to reread Camille Paglia on occasion? However, McCullough seems to allow her heroine's life to be defined by one moment and by doing that, the play became as predictable as Lifetime Television. I accept McCullough's choice to have her lead dissolve into an anti-hero. Some of the greatest female roles in theatre history are anti-heroes, but Lucinda becomes an anti-hero by giving up. And when she does give up, I stopped caring.

I support the promotion of local playwrights, especially women. However, 'Lucinda's Bed' plays into every stereotyped moment of a woman's life: self-consciousness, violence, guilt, fear. Don't get me wrong. A stereotype is a stereotype because there is some kernel of truth to it. Who hasn't had to reread Camille Paglia on occasion? However, McCullough seems to allow her heroine's life to be defined by one moment and by doing that, the play became as predictable as Lifetime Television. I accept McCullough's choice to have her lead dissolve into an anti-hero. Some of the greatest female roles in theatre history are anti-heroes, but Lucinda becomes an anti-hero by giving up. And when she does give up, I stopped caring.

Chicago Dramatists enters its 31st Season with the world premiere of Resident Playwright Mia McCullough's twisted comedy, Lucinda's Bed. Lucinda is six years old, and all she wants is to be good. But when the Monster under her bed introduces himself one night, Lucinda finds out that staying good will be harder than she thinks.

Chicago Dramatists is having an extraordinary and memorable 2009. In addition to the success of A Steady Rain opening on Broadway this fall, starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, Chicago Dramatists enters its 31st season with the honor of the TCG New Generations/Future Leaders grant, the announcement of four new resident playwrights and a new associate artistic director, and its selection as only one of four theatres to be included as part of the inaugural Millennium Park 'In The Works' Theatre Lab Project this spring.

Chicago Dramatists is having an extraordinary and memorable 2009. In addition to the success of A Steady Rain opening on Broadway this fall, starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, Chicago Dramatists enters its 31st season with the honor of the TCG New Generations/Future Leaders grant, the announcement of four new resident playwrights and a new associate artistic director, and its selection as only one of four theatres to be included as part of the inaugural Millennium Park 'In The Works' Theatre Lab Project this spring.

Chicago Dramatists is having an extraordinary and memorable 2009. In addition to the success of A Steady Rain opening on Broadway this fall, starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, Chicago Dramatists enters its 31st season with the honor of the TCG New Generations/Future Leaders grant, the announcement of four new resident playwrights and a new associate artistic director, and its selection as only one of four theatres to be included as part of the inaugural Millennium Park 'In The Works' Theatre Lab Project this spring.

Chicago Dramatists is having an extraordinary and memorable 2009. In addition to the success of A Steady Rain opening on Broadway this fall, starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, Chicago Dramatists enters its 31st season with the honor of the TCG New Generations/Future Leaders grant, the announcement of four new resident playwrights and a new associate artistic director, and its selection as only one of four theatres to be included as part of the inaugural Millennium Park 'In The Works' Theatre Lab Project this spring.

Jeffrey A. Katz, presents the world premiere of 'Slaphappy,' a romantic comedy of lost lovers and tormented ducks, by Chicago playwright Gary Slezak. Set in a Paris hotel, the play explores the idea of happiness through the eyes of four Americans, a loopy bellboy, an astute concierge, and a society of pâté lovers. Battling couples, exploding rockets, mistaken medications and a taste of foie gras come together in a delirious confection. This Equity show runs about two hours plus two intermissions. The poster illustration is by New Yorker cartoonist Pat Byrnes (copy below; more info at www.patbyrnes.com).

Jeffrey A. Katz, presents the world premiere of 'Slaphappy,' a romantic comedy of lost lovers and tormented ducks, by Chicago playwright Gary Slezak. Set in a Paris hotel, the play explores the idea of happiness through the eyes of four Americans, a loopy bellboy, an astute concierge, and a society of pâté lovers. Battling couples, exploding rockets, mistaken medications and a taste of foie gras come together in a delirious confection. This Equity show runs about two hours plus two intermissions. The poster illustration is by New Yorker cartoonist Pat Byrnes (copy below; more info at www.patbyrnes.com).