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
Spend Easter Sunday with UrbanTheater! Two for one tickets using the promo code: “Easter”
Fucking A is “thought-provoking,” “stellar” and “fantastic!”
Read what patrons are saying about UrbanTheater’s latest hit:
“This stellar, engaging, powerful production is not for sissies. But if you appreciate well-crafted, wonderfully enacted theatre, you MUST see this show. Suzan-Lori Parks dishes out another gut-wrenching and brutally honest portrayal, artfully rendered by Richard Perez and a magical cast. The strangeness, poetry, humor, charm, and humanity all come through. An intense theatrical experience.”
“Well acted…The scenes that were staged off stage were inventive and worked to set the mood. All in all an enjoyalbe evening of theatre.”
“This was one of the most thought provoking plays that I’ve ever attended! The theatre was of medium size and every seat was a good one. I highly recommend this play to a mature audience.”
“Modern day version of the Scarlet Letter…Fantastic adaptation of the story and the actors raw emotions were truly believable. I took my 17 year old who knows the story well and she just loved it!”
Fucking A Kickstarter Campaign
After a successful Midwest Premiere in 2011 of Beauty of the Fatherby Pulitzer Winner Nilo Cruz, UrbanTheater Company (UTC) continues SEASON SIX with the highly anticipated production of Fucking A by Pulitzer Prize (Topdog/Underdog) and MacArthur Genius Award recipient, Suzan-Lori Parks. Fucking A will be performed in association with Pegasus Players’ new home at 4520 N. Beacon Street (formerly the historic Hull House).
Fucking A is set in a post apocalyptic world, Hester, an Abortionist, must take life in order to save the life of her imprisoned son. Inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, Fucking A explores societal corruption, sexual politics and the enduring love of one mother for her child. Provocative and redemptive, this is a theatrical event not to be missed.
UrbanTheater Company has assembled a top-notch cast and production team, but we need your HELP to get us through the beginning stages of this production. Every penny you donate will go directly to the costs necessary to making our production a success. Unfortunately, if our goal isn’t met before targeted deadline, we don’t get a penny. You can donate as little as $1 to as much as you are capable of. Every little bit counts, and we would love your help in making this amazing production come to life.
From its inception, UrbanTheater Company has produced, promoted and performed plays of under-represented playwrights of color, allowing theatre to thrive in communities appreciative of cultural inclusion and accessibility. Celebrating it’s 6th Season and tenth production, the Joseph Jefferson recommended and award winning company has featured a myriad of critically acclaimed Chicago directors including Ron OJ Parson, Cecilie Keenan, Joel Moorman, Marti Lyons and Richard Perez. With eight Midwest Premieres and one World Premiere, UTC has provided tremendous opportunities for actors of color to perform in professional productions.
Fucking A will be performed at Pegasus Players/Beacon Street Hull House located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, from March 22nd - April 15th, 2012; preview performances from March 20th – March 21st.
Thank you for your support and for being a vital part of fulfilling our mission to bring compelling stories,From the Streets to the Stage!
Warmest Regards,
Ivan, Madrid and Marilyn
(UTC Founders)
What Social Networking means to UTC
The world is filled with the sounds of tweets, chats, tumbles, and clicking. To UrbanTheater Company, each of the social networking sites provides an opportunity for us to extend a hand to our audience.
We want to know YOU! As well as keep in touch. The more we know the better.
What issues are you concerned with?
Who inspires you?
What are your interests?
What draws you to theater?
What drew you to us?
Come express yourselves through facebook polls or by tweeting us a question. By reaching out we can gain a better understanding of the audience we cherish. It also allows us the chance to connect you to others invested in theater.
Please Connect with Us! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Our Website, and here on G.R.I.N.D.!
Photo courtesy of: www.artmarketblog.com
Have you seen UrbanTheater’s Future Home…
I found this image on a site called Studio Formwork and it said UrbanTheater. It’s beautiful! That building has our name all over it…literally!
It all starts with a dream.
Photo by Greg Taylor
Why “Broken Thread” Exists
I just finished watching my DVR recording of Oprah’s special on Madeleine McCann who has been missing for two years now. She disappeared from a resort in Portugal during a family vacation. Madeleine turns 6 on May 12th. I’m not a parent, but no one should ever have to go through what Mr. & Mrs. McCann are going through. Ever! It broke my heart watching that one hour special. The McCann’s have to live with that weight every second of their life. I cannot imagine ever going through that.
It does makes me proud that UrbanTheater Company (UTC) was willing to produce a play about a child abduction titled “Broken Thread” by resident playwright Wysteria Edwards. Last night was the final performance in West Town (Chicago) of “Broken Thread” after an 8 week run. The play not only deals with a child abduction and the pain that parents endure, but it’s also about missing priorities. It’s still a work in progress and Edwards is working very hard on re-writes as we search for producers/venues that are willing to produce her play. This story needs to be told.
Whether you saw this play or not, or whether you enjoyed it or disliked it, this play touches on very important themes and exists to create an awareness for Missing & Exploited Children. As a theater company, this is our contribution. How can you help?
-Ivan Vega
Co-Founder & Co- Artistic Director
There’s only a few weeks before UTC’s 5th production closes Don’t Miss out! Tickets are only $10!
BROKEN THREAD
a World Premiere
written by Wysteria Edwards
directed by Nikkieli DeMone
What if the person you loved the most simply vanished?
“When six-year-old Sara Callahan vanishes, the FBI come in to wade through the evidence and question those closest to her. What emerges is a troubled marriage, a father willing to sell his soul for success, hidden betrayals and the possibility of a child predator. Intense and poignant, the drama keeps you guessing until the last possible second”
March 14-May 3, 2009
Thurs-Sat at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
PRICE:
$10 - General Admission
Sunday’s - ‘Pay What You Can Actor & Student Night’ (w/ headshot & resume/ID)
FOR TICKETS:
Call - 312-239-8783
E.mail - utcreservations@gmail.com
Buy Tickets on Goldstar (Limited Special Promo) - goldstar.com/events/chicago-il/broken-thread.html
IN VIDEO:
Ivan Vega/@ivanvega (Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director)
-UrbanTheater Company
Song by Arctic Monkey’s - Dancing Shoes (Rythms Del Mundo)
Interview with “Broken Thread” playwright Wysteria Edwards (@wystieedwards) before her flight back to Washington State after a week vist to Chicago.
BROKEN THREAD
a World Premiere
written by Wysteria Edwards
directed by Nikkieli DeMone
What if the person you loved the most simply vanished?
“When six-year-old Sara Callahan vanishes, the FBI come in to wade through the evidence and question those closest to her. What emerges is a troubled marriage, a father willing to sell his soul for success, hidden betrayals and the possibility of a child predator. Intense and poignant, the drama keeps you guessing until the last possible second”
March 14-May 3, 2009
Thurs-Sat at 8pm
Sunday at 3pm
No Shows 4/5 & 4/12 (Easter Sunday)
PRICE:
$20 General Admission (Fri, Sat & Sun)
$10 Thursdays
Sunday’s - ‘Pay What You Can Actor’s Night’ (w/ headshot & resume)
FOR TICKETS:
Call - 312-239-8783
E.mail - utcreservations@gmail.com
Buy Tickets on Goldstar (Limited Special Promo) - http://www.goldstar.com/events/chicag…
IN VIDEO (Artistic Collective/Co-Artistic Director’s):
Marilyn Camacho
Nikkieli DeMone/@NikkieliDeMone
Ivan Vega/@ivanvega
VIDEOGRAPHER/BACKGROUND VOICE:
Lynette “Jari” Vega/@
We hope to see you at the theater!
-UrbanTheater Company
Hello Twitter & Tumblr friends! If you don’t have any plans next Saturday (the 28th) and enjoy Wii (bowling) come join UrbanTheater Company for a Nintendo Wii Bowling Tournament to benefit The Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The event will also celebrate the World Premiere production of “Broken Thread” written by UrbanTheater Company resident playwright, Wysteria Edwards. We will have lots of virtual bowling lanes set up for your Wii bowling pleasure, along with hotdogs, nachos, beer, music & trophies for the winning teams at the end of the night! Come show us what you got!
Tickets:
$20 (in advance)
$25 (at the door)
Twitter & Tumblr folks get $7 bucks off the ticket price!
Please R.S.V.P to secure a your spot on a lane: utcreservations@gmail.com or 312.239.8783
Wii hope to see to see you there!
