The GRIND = Gossip, Rumors, Innuendos, News & DramaUrbanTheater Company (UTC) is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience. FROM the STREETS to the STAGE.
[Now Showing] Midwest Premiere of "Beauty of the Father" by Nilo Cruz, directed by Cecilie Keenan at the Wicker Park Art Center (at St. Paul's Community Church). Runs until November 19. For tickets/info visit go to:
www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org
[PRESS RELEASE] URBANTHEATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES CAST FOR MIDWEST PREMIERE OF SUZAN-LORI PARKS’ CONTROVERSIAL PLAY “FUCKING A”
CONTACT: For questions, contact Ivan Vega at (708) 370-3138 or
ivanvega@urbantheaterchicago.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 10, 2012
URBANTHEATER COMPANY ANNOUNCES CAST FOR MIDWEST PREMIERE OF PULITZER PRIZE WINNER SUZAN-LORI PARKS’ CONTROVERSIAL PLAY “FUCKING A”
Led by Kelly Owens, Best Actress Nominee (Black Theatre Alliance Awards) and Madrid St. Angelo, Best Supporting Actor Nominee (Joseph Jefferson Awards), UrbanTheater Company’s production features an ethnically diverse combination of Chicago notables and newcomers.
Sixteen actors in all, the cast includes: Owens, St. Angelo, Lyndsay Kane, Kamal Hans, Amrita Dhaliwal, Lance Newton, Robert Hope, Greg Wenz, Michael Moran, David Guiden, Joan McGrath, Bert Matias, Courtney Berne, Brandon Holmes, Warren Levon and Brian Mason. At the directing helm is Richard Perez, Theatre Communications Group (TCG) Fellow and former Associate Artistic Director for Chicago Dramatist. Prior to his Fellowship, Perez was the Producing Artistic Director for the Bloomington Playwrights Project in Bloomington, IN.
Synopsis: “Fucking A” is set in a post apocalyptic world and centers around ‘Hester’, an abortionist who must take life, in order to save the life of her imprisoned son, ‘Monster”. Inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, “The Scarlet Letter”, “Fucking A” explores societal corruption and the enduring, deep and profound love one mother has for her child.
Bonnie Metzgar, current Artistic Director for Chicago’s About Face Theatre Company (and Associate Producer for the Public Theatre’s 2003 production of “Fucking A”), has agreed to assist the production as an Artistic Adviser.
Suzan-Lori Parks received The MacArthur Foundation Genius Award in 2001 and the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for her play, “Topdog/Underdog”.
“After the critically acclaimed Midwest Premiere of Nilo Cruz’s ‘Beauty of the Father’, UrbanTheater Company remains as Chicago’s Premiere multicultural non-equity theatre company, with a history of preserving, producing, promoting and performing the works of under represented minority actor’s and playwrights”, says Artistic Director, Madrid St. Angelo.
“Fucking A” will be performed at the Wicker Park Art Center from Friday, March 2nd through Saturday, March 31st, 2012 (Thursday through Saturday) at 7:30pm, with only four previews beginning Monday, February 27th through Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at 7:30pm.
General Admission - $20, Students/Seniors - $10 & Previews - 2 for 1 - $20/$15 (for single ticket). Group rates available. For tickets call 312-239-8783 or visitwww.UrbanTheaterChicago.org
For additional information on UTC, visit:
www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org, www.facebook.com/UrbanTheater or www.twitter.com/UrbanTheater.
Mission: UrbanTheater Company (UTC) is committed to the creation and exploration of urban-inspired works that convey, illuminate and empathize with the human experience.
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I AM THEATRE: NILO CRUZ
Every since Anna In The Tropics in 2003, when UrbanTheater Company (UTC) founders, myself (Ivan Vega) and Madrid St. Angelo met understudying at Victory Gardens, we have always had a love affair with Nilo Cruz and his writing. Cruz is a not only one the nicest guys you will meet, but also an inspiration to Latino writers and actors alike. Truly gifted. It is like we have made a full circle since we were introduced to this work. Now, in the midst of our closing weekend of the Midwest Premiere of Nilo Cruz’s Beauty of the Father directed by Cecilie Keenan, TCG (Theatre Communications Group) highlights Cruz in their initiative called I AM THEATRE:
Theatre-makers tell stories, but too often, their own stories — the victories, heartbreaks, spectacular hilarity and transformational moments — go untold. To celebrate TCG’s 50th anniversary, and continue our mission to strengthen, nurture and promote not-for-profit theatre, we’re launching a global initiative to spotlight the stories of theatre practitioners in their own words: I AM THEATRE.
ABOUT NILO CRUZ
Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida, Nilo Cruz is best known for his play ANNA IN THE TROPICS, which won the Steinberg award, the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and received a Tony nomination. His other plays include DANCING ON HER KNEES, NIGHT TRAIN TO BOLINA, A PARK IN OUR HOUSE, TWO SISTERS AND A PIANO, BEAUTY OF THE FATHER, LORCA IN A GREEN DRESS among others. Nilo has translated Federico Garcia Lorca’s THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA, DOÑA ROSITA THE SPINSTER; and Jose Sanchez Sinisterra’s AY CARMELA. He also adapted Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s A VERY OLD MAN WITH ENORMOUS WINGS for the stage. Nilo has been the recipient of other awards and fellowships, including two NEA/TCG National Theatre Artist Residency grants, a Rockefeller Foundation grant and the San Francisco’s W. Alton Jones award. In 2009 he won The Laura Pels Mid-career Playwrighting award and a Helen Merrill award for Excellence in playwriting. He also received the USA Ella Fontanals-Cisneros award. Nilo is part of the Playwrights Ensemble at Victory Gardens in Chicago, and has taught playwriting at Brown, NYU Gallatin School, Yale School of Drama, and the University of Iowa. He recently co-wrote the screenplay “Castro’s Daughter” with Oscar winner Bobby Moresco. His new screenplay is “Anna in the Tropics”.
CLOSING WEEKEND!
Beauty of Father is being performed at the Wicker Park Arts Center, located at 2215 W. North Ave/Levitt. Our closing performance is on Saturday, November 19th. For tickets go to:
www.UrbanTheaterChicago.org or call 312-239-8783
Post by @ivanvega
UTC Executive Director and actor in Beauty of the Father
