Sean Graney News

The Hairy Ape follows the saga of Yank, a maritime laborer who questions his place in society when branded as 'a filthy beast' by the rich daughter of a steel industrialist. In a series of eight scenes, O'Neill chronicles Yank's struggle with 'the human condition,' caught somewhere between his own primitive nature and the more intellectually based-and emotionally vacant-upper classes. Rejected by the bourgeois of Fifth Avenue as well as his fellow workers, Yank finally seeks solace from the only creature with whom he finds kinship: an ape in the Central Park Zoo. The Provincetown Players premiered The Hairy Ape, O'Neill's sixth play, in March 1922 under the direction of frequent O'Neill collaborator Robert Edmond Jones. That production, featuring Louis Wolheim's powerful performance as Yank, moved that April to Broadway's Plymouth Theatre. In 1944, a film version of the play featured William Bendix and in the ensuing decades the play has received dozens of notable revivals around the country; perhaps the most celebrated of these was The Wooster Group's 1996 production, featuring Willem Dafoe as Yank.

Two of Chicago's acclaimed off-Loop theater troupes join Goodman Theatre's 21st century exploration of Eugene O'Neill in February and March. The Hypocrites perform The Hairy Ape February 7-21, directed by Artistic Director and Founder Sean Graney, 'one of the most insightful directors now at work in Chicago' (Chicago Sun-Times), who transforms Goodman's three-tiered Owen Bruner Theatre into the various strata of an ocean liner. The Neo-Futurists, 'one of the most imaginative experimental theater ensembles in the country' (The Economist), perform Strange Interlude March 6-8, directed by Founder Greg Allen, in a production which unites audience and actors on the stage.

Two of Chicago's acclaimed off-Loop theater troupes join Goodman Theatre's 21st century exploration of Eugene O'Neill in February and March. The Hypocrites perform The Hairy Ape February 7-21, directed by Artistic Director and Founder Sean Graney, 'one of the most insightful directors now at work in Chicago' (Chicago Sun-Times), who transforms Goodman's three-tiered Owen Bruner Theatre into the various strata of an ocean liner. The Neo-Futurists, 'one of the most imaginative experimental theater ensembles in the country' (The Economist), perform Strange Interlude March 6-8, directed by Founder Greg Allen, in a production which unites audience and actors on the stage.

Goodman Theatre rings in the New Year with an eight-play landmark theatrical event, A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century curated by Artistic Director Robert Falls, January 7 through March 8, 2009. Over 100 artists from six theater companies around the world bring their highly contemporary, inventive interpretations of O'Neill's dramas for the Goodman's Exploration-viewing the 20th century 'father of the American drama,' through a 21st century international lens.

Goodman Theatre rings in the New Year with an eight-play landmark theatrical event, A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century curated by Artistic Director Robert Falls, January 7 through March 8, 2009. Over 100 artists from six theater companies around the world bring their highly contemporary, inventive interpretations of O'Neill's dramas for the Goodman's Exploration-viewing the 20th century 'father of the American drama,' through a 21st century international lens.

Goodman Theatre rings in the New Year with an eight-play landmark theatrical event, A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century curated by Artistic Director Robert Falls, January 7 through March 8, 2009. Over 100 artists from six theater companies around the world bring their highly contemporary, inventive interpretations of O'Neill's dramas for the Goodman's Exploration-viewing the 20th century 'father of the American drama,' through a 21st century international lens.

Goodman Theatre rings in the New Year with an eight-play landmark theatrical event, A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century curated by Artistic Director Robert Falls, January 7 through March 8, 2009. Over 100 artists from six theater companies around the world bring their highly contemporary, inventive interpretations of O'Neill's dramas for the Goodman's Exploration-viewing the 20th century 'father of the American drama,' through a 21st century international lens.

Edward II, by Christopher Marlowe, directed and adapted by Sean Graney will premiere Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater October 1 - November 9, 2008.

Strawdog Theatre Company kicks off their 21st season with Karel Čapek's science fiction drama R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), directed by Strawdog Artistic Associate Shade Murray. Set in the 1920s at the island factory of Rossum's Universal Robots, 'R.U.R.' follows a team of scientists who have created the model to factory-produce the world's first robotic workforce.

Strawdog Theatre Company continues Late Night offerings into their 21st anniversary season, with free or low-cost shows following Friday and Saturday performances of 'R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots).' The Friday offering is called 'Strawdog Welcomes,' and features guest artists and companies to present various entertainment acts.

For the first time at Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Shakespeare's contemporary rival playwright Christopher Marlowe, infiltrates Shakespeare's home as Sean Graney brings a contemporary perspective to The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer.

Fools and Foes Share the Stage in CST's 2008/09 Season

Since its inception in 1984, The Drama League Directors Project has gained an international reputation for nurturing a new generation of exceptional directors. One of this year's featured productions is Autophagy, directed by Drama League Directing Fellow Joanie Schultz.

The Drama League proudly announces complete details for DirectorFest 2007, the 24th annual presentation of one-act plays staged by the Fall Directing Fellows of The Drama League Directors Project.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults opened its season with The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance, directed by Sean Graney. The production runs through November 4, 2007, in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre.

The 34th Annual Jefferson Awards presented seven trophies to House Theatre of Chicago's production of 'The Sparrow.' 'Side Show,' 'Fiorello!' and 'Blues for an Alabama Sky' also took top honors.

Angels in America part I 'Millenium' at Bailiwick Theatre