Prologue Theatre Company
History
Landmark Festival 2010
April 26-28, 2010
City Lit Theater, Chicago
Six short plays, including three period texts and three world premieres, connect the world of the 1920s to the communities of today.
Blue Blood by Georgia Douglas Johnson
directed by Nich Radcliffe
Lost Generation* by Hannah Bauman
directed by Timothy Bambara
Social Movements and Lesser Wars* by Jess Gyori-Eisenberg
directed by Kiana Harris
The Triumph of the Egg by Sherwood Anderson
directed by Adil Mansoor)
We Men Must Grow a Mustache* by Jon Pernisek
directed by Carol Karaguez
The Wood Sprite by Vladimir Nabokov
directed by Margo Gray
* indicates this work is a world premiere
City Lit Theater, Chicago
Six short plays, including three period texts and three world premieres, connect the world of the 1920s to the communities of today.
Blue Blood by Georgia Douglas Johnson
directed by Nich Radcliffe
Lost Generation* by Hannah Bauman
directed by Timothy Bambara
Social Movements and Lesser Wars* by Jess Gyori-Eisenberg
directed by Kiana Harris
The Triumph of the Egg by Sherwood Anderson
directed by Adil Mansoor)
We Men Must Grow a Mustache* by Jon Pernisek
directed by Carol Karaguez
The Wood Sprite by Vladimir Nabokov
directed by Margo Gray
* indicates this work is a world premiere
Cast includes: Kizzmett
Kisma, Danielle White, Elana Elyce, Ron Thomas, Tinuade Oyelowo, Andrew
Gebhart, Carrie Hardin, Michael Hamilton, Clifton Mohomes, Felicia
Bertch, Daniel Stock, John Highberger, Jack Birdwell, Meghan Mitchell,
Julie Mitre, Gary Murphy, Anthony Stamilio, Adam Kander, Lara Janson,
Paul Chakrin, Christopher Chamblee, and Reginald Robinson, Jr.
Production staff
Bethany Schrader, Stage Manager
Justin Argenio, Technical
Coordinator
Jaime Frankle, Assistant Stage
Manager
Director Biographies
Director Biographies
Timothy Bambara (Director, Lost Generations) is excited to be working with Prologue Theatre Co. and the 2010 Landmark Festival! He has been producing, directing and acting in Chicago for the past 4 years. He received his MFA in Theatre Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2006. He is a recipient of the 2008 CAAP Grant and was a participant in the 2008 Chicago Director’s Lab. Timothy is a founding member of Dramatis Personae and a member of Tympanic Theatre Company. Favorite directing credits include Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Of Mice and Men, Glengarry Glen Ross, The Cook (asst. dir. to Henry Godinez, Goodman Theatre), Twelfth Night (asst. dir. to Jay Paul Skelton, City Lit), Den of Thieves and Where’s My Money? (Dramatis Personae), May is Special Time of Year and Ozma and Harriet (Tympanic Theatre Company) and The Ray Play (Point of Contention). As an actor, he was most recently seen in Chicago Fusion Theatre’s 12 Hungry Men. Upcoming directing projects include The Rise of Emperor Eric with Gorilla Tango Theatre.
Margo Gray (Director, The Wood Sprite) is proud
to be directing for Prologue again after this fall's The Cat's Meow: a
vaudeville and Sex by Mae West. Other recent work includes The
Wonder: a woman keeps a secret! for Point of Contention, and What
of the Night? for
Halcyon Theatre. Margo is a graduate of Grinnell College, a former
Fulbright Fellow with the Moscow Art Theatre School, and Prologue's
Artistic Director. This Nabokov piece breaks her unintentional
five-year streak of directing only work by women. To learn more, visit
www.margogray.com
Kiana Harris (Director, Social Movements and Lesser Wars) - As a teacher, director, and performer of Theatre, Film and Movement, Kiana has worked for numerous companies and schools in Philadelphia, Columbus and Chicago. She earned her MFA in Acting and Creating New Work from The Ohio State University, and her BA in Theatre from Temple University. She recently moved to Chicago and is thrilled to be working with Prologue Theatre Co. for the first time. For more information, please visit: www.kiana-harris.com
Carol Karaguez (Director, We Men Must Grow a Mustache) received her MFA in Directing/Dramaturgy from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Further training includes the Steppenwolf School and Cal State’s Summer Arts. Some directing credits include: Real Women Have Curves (College of Lake County), Many Voices (Chicago Dramatists), Sun Sisters (Silk Road), A Lesson Before Dying (Overflow Ensemble), When Lithuania Ruled the World (Chicago Cultural Center). Carol is proudly an Artistic Associate for Silk Road Theatre Project and Urban Theatre Company, where she recently served as costume designer for their Jeff nominated production of Cuba and His Teddy Bear.
Adil Mansoor (Director, The Triumph of the Egg)
is delighted to have the chance to direct for Prologue Theatre Co.
Having worked with many other groups in Chicago, including Strawdog,
Gorilla Tango, and Filament, he is inspired by small companies asking
big questions. Currently he is directing and co-curating the Freak
Museum, a burlesque performance installation; facilitating Project US
(Understanding Sex), a participatory performance engaging youth in
conversation around sexual health; and adapting/performing text from
1950’s Pakistani writer Saadat Husan Manto. He is also the
Artist-in-Residence program coordinator at Urban Gateways, a nonprofit
arts education center serving students all over Chicago.
Sex by Mae West
October 29 - Nov 21, 2009
North Lakeside Cultural Center
Thanks to all our patrons for making Sex good!
About the show
Progressive staging in a historical Edgewater mansion allows the audience to follow Margy Lamont, a sassy prostitute, from a night inMontreal 's red light district through her escape to Trinidad to her bid for a straight life in a Westchester manor. The original cast of the 1926 show was arrested for “corrupting the morals of youth,” and Mae West herself was sentenced to ten days in jail.
Margy is one of the most in-demand ladies on the block, and makes plenty of jack to keep herself in furs and gin. However, when her pimp Rocky tries to work over a visiting society dame, Margy's left in a tough spot with the police. She fleesMontreal to follow the British fleet with her long-time customer Lieutenant Gregg. In a Trinidad nightclub (complete with rip-roaring live music), Margy meets the kind of man she never expected to love: one who doesn't know about her past. She must decide if she can give up her wild ways for the straight life with a boy who loves her, or if she'll always be just what she is.
Featuring: Erin Renee Baumrucker, Christopher Chamblee, Stephen Kaiser, Rebecca L. Mauldin, Tinuade Oyelowo, DeRante Parker, Nathan Pease, Anne Sheridan Smith, Bradford Stevens, Reginald Vaughn, Sean Patrick Ward, and Jes Bedwinek as Margy.
Directed by Margo Gray. Set and Costume Design by Carrie Hardin. Lighting Design by Steven E. Hill. Musical direction by Jess Gyori-Eisenberg
The Cat's Meow: A Vaudeville
September 29-30, 7:30 pm
Mary's Attic (5400 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL)
This roaring romp of raucous revelry will get you wise to music, love, and the seedy underbelly of the 1920s.
Featuring: Mollie Asrat, Joshua Becker, Erin Baumruker, Chris Chamblee, Michael Carey, Naomi Finklestein, Melody Latham, Tim Lee, DeRante Parker, Shadana Patterson, Jon Pernisek, Tamara Randolph, Charlie Rasmann, Teresa Scalise, Michael Shepherd, Hannah Tuber, and Sean Patrick Ward.
Book and Musical Direction by Jessica Gyori-Eisenberg. Directed by Margo Gray.Choreography by Judy Parker.
- About the show
- Ticket information
- About the venue (accessibility, transportation, and parking)
- Related Events
- Cast and Crew Bios
- Press
About the showProgressive staging in a historical Edgewater mansion allows the audience to follow Margy Lamont, a sassy prostitute, from a night in
Margy is one of the most in-demand ladies on the block, and makes plenty of jack to keep herself in furs and gin. However, when her pimp Rocky tries to work over a visiting society dame, Margy's left in a tough spot with the police. She flees
Featuring: Erin Renee Baumrucker, Christopher Chamblee, Stephen Kaiser, Rebecca L. Mauldin, Tinuade Oyelowo, DeRante Parker, Nathan Pease, Anne Sheridan Smith, Bradford Stevens, Reginald Vaughn, Sean Patrick Ward, and Jes Bedwinek as Margy.
Directed by Margo Gray. Set and Costume Design by Carrie Hardin. Lighting Design by Steven E. Hill. Musical direction by Jess Gyori-Eisenberg
Ticket Information
Tickets are $15, and can be purchased online or at the door.
About the Venue
The North Lakeside Cultural Center is located at 6219 N. Sheridan Ave. in Chicago. It is the northernmost of two historical mansions located inside Berger Park, right on Lake Michigan. Enter through the front door. We regret that this historical venue is not handicapped accessible.
Street parking is very limited in this neighborhood. We suggest taking public transportation if possible: Red Line (Granville Stop), Broadway Bus (#36), Out Drive Express (#147) or Sheridan (#151). If you drive, try looking for parking at the metered spots on Granville (most of which stop being active at 9:00 pm), or on the side streets west of Broadway. We suggest leaving extra time to find parking.
Special Events
Friday, November 6: Talkback on Female Playwrights.
Following the performance, cast members and production staff answered audience questions and discussed whether the current problem of underrepresentation of female playwrights on American stages extends to the Chicago storefront scene. Audience and cast members alike offered ideas for what should be done to eliminate such disparities in our community.
Saturday, November 7: Mae West Costume Contest!
Celebrate SEX in the spirit of one of the great sex symbols of our age. Audience members joined for the show dressed as Mae West and get in for a special $10 price.
Cast and Crew Biographies
CAST
Erin Renee Baumrucker (Flossie/Marie) is tickled pink to be working with Prologue again! Recent credits include The Cat's Meow: A Vaudeville (Prologue), Just Us Two (Team Venture), Mountain Days (Theatre-Hikes) and Bomb's Away! (Bailiwick). Erin would like to thank her family & friends, the cast & crew, Adam for putting up with her, and C.L. for being her partner in crime con panqueques. Kisses!
Jes Bedwinek (Margy) holds a BA in Theater from Oberlin College and, despite being a St. Louis native, has no opinion on either the Cards or the Cubs. She recently returned from studying with The Moscow Arts Theater at the Stanislavsky Summer School in Boston. Chicago credits include: Catherine in The Foreigner (Metropolis Performing Arts Theater), Belinda in This Is How It Goes (Rogers Park Theater Ensemble), Joan in Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Simple Theater), Megan in Dimly Perceived Threats to The System (GT Theater),Liz in the LGBT soap opera The Ville (Bare Boned Theatre) The Marriage of Marcus Tyler (Shantz Theater), On Air (run at The Apollo), Genre (multiple improv runs at Donny's Skybox), Adventures in Comedy (improv run at the Playground theater), Birphday! (Gorilla Tango Improv). Jes is grateful to the whole cast and crew for making Sex so much fun! Much love to my German.
Christopher Chamblee (Lt. Gregg) gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Performance from Auburn University. He was recently seen in Prologue Theatre Company's production of The Cat's Meow: A Vaudeville, and Point of Contention's production of The Wonder: A Woman Keeps a Secret, as Don Pedro. Other notable performances include: "Ghost of Christmas Present" in Christmas Carol at The Virginia Stage Company, "Roger" in Grease!, "Mr. Webb" in Our Town, and "The Scarecrow" in The Wizard of Oz. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. And his fiancé for her unconditional love and strength.
Stephen Elliot Kaiser (Jenkins/Sailor/Man) is a recent graduate of the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU where he graduated with a B.F.A. in acting and appeared in Stuff Happens, She Stoops to Conquer and Conquest of the South Pole among others. Stephen was recently seen as Dolan in the Something Clever production of Line by Israel Horovitz. Prior to that he appeared in the Oil Lamp Theatre's production of The Dining Room and was happy to return to Oil Lamp to play Mark Dolson in Bill C. Davis' Mass Appeal. Most recently he appeared in both the August (Equilibrium by Kellye Blosser) and September (Split by Ira Gamerman) editions of Mind The Gap Theatre Company's Monthly Staged Reading Series.
Rick Levine (Robert Stanton) most recently appeared in Radium Girls (Point of Contention), Gypsy, Frog & Toad and The Full Monty (Highland Park Players). Other credits include The Man Who Came to Dinner (Theatre on The Lake) and Crossing Delancy (Jefferson Park Players). Behind the scenes, Rick directed the area premiere of The Normal Heart in Minneapolis (for Broadway producer Roy Gabay) and The Night Hank Williams Died for the Griffin Theatre in Chicago (starring Jamie Denton). Further behind the scenes, Rick is the founder and former owner of theatrical businesses Act I Bookstore and PerformInk Newspaper.
Rebecca L. Mauldin (Agnes) is thrilled to work with Prologue for the first time! Most recent productions include: The Tempest (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble), The Oval Portrait (Mythic Proportions Theatre) and Dr. Egg and the Man with No Ear (Redmoon Theatre). She has also studied at a variety of schools in Chicago including I.O., Victory Gardens and Act One Studios. Rebecca is a proud graduate of Grinnell College in IA and the National Theatre Institute in CT. She extends her gratitude to Margo, Leonicia, the Sex cast, and staff at Prologue for making this an awesome experience. Much love to mother and sister.
Tinuade Oyelowo (Red) is thrilled to be a part of Prologue Theater Company's first season after just finishing Once on this Island with Fleetwood Jordan Theatre. Some of her credits include: Maria, 12th Night (Cornish College of the Arts); 365 days /plays (Silk Road); Narrator, Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Halcyon), understudy Gloria/Hope/Aunt Edna, First Breeze of Summer (Court Theatre); understudy Black Mary, Gem of the Ocean , Second Scientist, Half Life, understudy Laura, Glass Menagerie (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre); and Consume (Gorilla Tango). Tinuade is a graduate from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA with a B.F.A in Theater. Tinuade would like to thank Jess and Margo for all the love!
DeRante Parker (Manly/Condez/Policeman) is happy to be in Sex by Mae West. This is his second performance with Prologue Theater. He was last seen in The Cat's Meow: a Vaudevill as Player 3. Other recent Chicago roles include David Parker in Sex Signals and William Porter in Letters Home. DeRante enjoys doing theater because it's an opportunity to bring people together.
Nathan Pease (Rocky) is thrilled to be making his Prologue Theatre Co debut with such a talented cast and crew. A recent resident of Chicago, Nathan has also performed with First Folio Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, and Stage Center Theatre in Chicago. Regional credits include Michigan Shakespeare Festival, BoarsHead Theatre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Union Theatre Co, and Flint Youth Theatre, where he spent two seasons as a Resident Artist. Some of his favorite credits: Richard III, Victor Frankenstein, Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, both Dromio twins in The Comedy of Errors, and Bruce in Blue/Orange among others.
Anne Sheridan Smith (Clara Stanton) is enjoying this Mae West creation with Prologue. Anne most recently appeared in Wings at Apple Tree Theatre and understudied as Rose Stopnick in the Court Theatre production of Caroline, Or Change. Other Chicago credits include: Leah Barnett in Trust (Open Eye Productions); Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Open Eye); Old Town, musical by Brett Neveu (Strawdog Theatre); Abigail Adams in 1776 (Signal Ensemble - Jeff Award - Best Musical Production). Anne is a member of Foiled Again (vocal trio) with Rob Lindley, Allison Bazarko and Doug Peck on piano, appearing next at SPACE in Evanston on Dec. 21.
Bradford Stevens (Curly/Jones) is excited to be working with Prologue Theatre and the incredibly talented cast of Sex. A native Chicagoan, he fell in love with theatre while attending Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and working with the FAMU Essential Theatre. Upon graduating, he returned back home, to earn his MFA in acting from the DePaul Theatre School. Bradford is also a graduate of the Second City Conservatory, and a proud member of The Barrel of Monkeys Theatre troupe. He's had the privilege of working with a number of great theatres across town including; Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Stage Left, and The Raven, where he was nominated for a Jeff Award for best actor in Jesus Hopped The A-Train. Last but not least, Bradford would like to give mad thanks to the ancestors, and his incredibly supportive family and friends.
Reginald Vaughn (Dawson/Captain Carter) is a graduate of Indiana State University with a Masters in Communication and an influence in theatre. His noted professional productions includes: Hellcab, Den of Thieves, Soldier's Play and Measure for Measure. Reginald is also a member of Boom Troupe, a theatre company that travels around Chicagoland doing assemblies/plays for school kids. Reginald would like to give a big Fat Albert shout out to his major support group for being with him every step of the way and also to the fun cast of 'Sex'. Reginald's code: "conduct yourself with honor and grace and make ya mama proud!"
Sean Patrick Ward (Jimmy Stanton) is very excited to be working with Margo for a third show in a row, and very excited to be working with this talented cast. Special thanks to Greg, Nathan and Cynthia for being such awesome friends, and to Jes for being the only girl he wants to make out with. Ever.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Leonicia M. Berry (Stage Manager) from Cleveland, Ohio is happy to be working for Prologue Theatre Co. for the first time. Her previous works include directing The Colored Museum (Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble), and her role as Managing Director at Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble. Her stage management credits include: Jitney (Pegasus Players), The Wiz (White Horse Theatre Company), Rogers Park Theatre Festival 2006 (Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble), Stages XIII (Theatre Building Chicago), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Loyola University Chicago) and Mistero Buffo: Comic Mystery (Piccolo Theatre). She would like to thank her mom, Kat, Rick and Jermaine for their love and support.
Margo Gray (Director) is happy to be helming her second production as Prologue's artistic director. Margo is a graduate of Grinnell College and a former Fulbright Fellow with the Moscow Art Theater School in Russia. Recent projects include The Cat's Meow: a Vaudeville (Prologue), The Wonder: a woman keeps a secret (Point of Contention), and Aria da Capo (Bailiwick Director's Festival). Margo Twitters about the Chicago theatre experience (@margogray) and you can find other updates on her work at margogray.com. She wants to thank you for choosing to spend your evening seeing live theatre.
Jess Gyori-Eisenberg (Musical Director) is an actor, singer, playwright, pianist, teacher, and musical director. She teaches with Piano Lessons in Your Home, and is the Managing Director for Prologue. Jess is a graduate of Harrison Arts Center and University of Central Florida.
Carrie Hardin (Scenic & Costume Designer) is a member of Prologue Theatre. You may have seen her design work with Actors Workshop/Redtwist, Broken Compass, and Point of Contention. Thanks to everyone involved in putting this production together, and to Brett.
Steven E. Hill (Lighting Designer) has been doing theatre for many years and has worked on shows ranging from high school and college productions to community theatre and professional companies. He has worked professionally with The Body Politic, Idle Muse, Gemini Productions, Endangered Species, Remy Bummpo, First Folio, and Il Penseroso Productions. In addition to his Design and Technical credits, he is formerly a certified Actor-Combatant in the Society of American Fight Directors. Steven has directed Echoes and a children's show for Gemini Productions of which he was also the Artistic Director. Steven has attended such prestigious schools as Millikin University, Columbia College and College of DuPage. Some of Steven's favorite productions that he has worked on are What the Weird Sisters Saw, Echoes, Standing on my Knees, The Fox, Whistle in the Dark and The Seagull.
Mae West (Playwright) grew up performing in vaudeville. In 1926 she penned her first full-length play, which she entitled Sex despite the strenuous objections of producers and theater owners. No one had ever dared to include a live jazz band in a straight play or write dialogue in the language of the streets, but West never compromised once her mind was made up. Sex played to large and enthusiastic crowds (including many, many sailors) for 41 weeks until police raided the production in February of 1927. West was convicted of indecency, fined $500, and sentenced to 10 days in jail. She got out two days early for good behavior. West went on to write other successful and controversial stage plays including Drag, The Pleasure Man, and Diamond Lil before moving on to fame and stardom in Hollywood.
Press
Click here to view the press release.
"[Mae West] was a woman ahead of the curve and the Prologue Theatre Company’s production is a compelling tribute... The cast inhabits the era like apparitions made flesh."
from The Urban Coaster
"The star of this production is the venue. Generally, i’m not a fan of promenade staging, but Gray has used the sprawling Cultural Center effectively. Audience members get up and move around only a few times to signify a key scene change, and during the transitions, actors keep the momentum going by drunkenly singing in the hallway or flirting with you from the doorways."
from Chicago Theatre Addict
"This rarely revived 1926 comedy--about a hooker who tries to go straight after falling in love with a naive young businessman--is best remembered today because it earned its author-star, Mae West, eight celebrity-boosting days in the pokey for "corrupting the morals of youth." The play has lost much of its shock value, but its hard-boiled, bawdy dialogue and clever plotting can still garner laughs."
from The Chicago Reader
Listen to the Feast of Fun podcast interview actors Sean Patrick Ward and Jes Bedwinek.
Tickets are $15, and can be purchased online or at the door.
About the Venue
The North Lakeside Cultural Center is located at 6219 N. Sheridan Ave. in Chicago. It is the northernmost of two historical mansions located inside Berger Park, right on Lake Michigan. Enter through the front door. We regret that this historical venue is not handicapped accessible.
Street parking is very limited in this neighborhood. We suggest taking public transportation if possible: Red Line (Granville Stop), Broadway Bus (#36), Out Drive Express (#147) or Sheridan (#151). If you drive, try looking for parking at the metered spots on Granville (most of which stop being active at 9:00 pm), or on the side streets west of Broadway. We suggest leaving extra time to find parking.
Special Events
Friday, November 6: Talkback on Female Playwrights.
Following the performance, cast members and production staff answered audience questions and discussed whether the current problem of underrepresentation of female playwrights on American stages extends to the Chicago storefront scene. Audience and cast members alike offered ideas for what should be done to eliminate such disparities in our community.
Saturday, November 7: Mae West Costume Contest!
Celebrate SEX in the spirit of one of the great sex symbols of our age. Audience members joined for the show dressed as Mae West and get in for a special $10 price.
Cast and Crew Biographies
CAST
Erin Renee Baumrucker (Flossie/Marie) is tickled pink to be working with Prologue again! Recent credits include The Cat's Meow: A Vaudeville (Prologue), Just Us Two (Team Venture), Mountain Days (Theatre-Hikes) and Bomb's Away! (Bailiwick). Erin would like to thank her family & friends, the cast & crew, Adam for putting up with her, and C.L. for being her partner in crime con panqueques. Kisses!
Jes Bedwinek (Margy) holds a BA in Theater from Oberlin College and, despite being a St. Louis native, has no opinion on either the Cards or the Cubs. She recently returned from studying with The Moscow Arts Theater at the Stanislavsky Summer School in Boston. Chicago credits include: Catherine in The Foreigner (Metropolis Performing Arts Theater), Belinda in This Is How It Goes (Rogers Park Theater Ensemble), Joan in Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Simple Theater), Megan in Dimly Perceived Threats to The System (GT Theater),Liz in the LGBT soap opera The Ville (Bare Boned Theatre) The Marriage of Marcus Tyler (Shantz Theater), On Air (run at The Apollo), Genre (multiple improv runs at Donny's Skybox), Adventures in Comedy (improv run at the Playground theater), Birphday! (Gorilla Tango Improv). Jes is grateful to the whole cast and crew for making Sex so much fun! Much love to my German.
Christopher Chamblee (Lt. Gregg) gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Performance from Auburn University. He was recently seen in Prologue Theatre Company's production of The Cat's Meow: A Vaudeville, and Point of Contention's production of The Wonder: A Woman Keeps a Secret, as Don Pedro. Other notable performances include: "Ghost of Christmas Present" in Christmas Carol at The Virginia Stage Company, "Roger" in Grease!, "Mr. Webb" in Our Town, and "The Scarecrow" in The Wizard of Oz. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. And his fiancé for her unconditional love and strength.
Stephen Elliot Kaiser (Jenkins/Sailor/Man) is a recent graduate of the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU where he graduated with a B.F.A. in acting and appeared in Stuff Happens, She Stoops to Conquer and Conquest of the South Pole among others. Stephen was recently seen as Dolan in the Something Clever production of Line by Israel Horovitz. Prior to that he appeared in the Oil Lamp Theatre's production of The Dining Room and was happy to return to Oil Lamp to play Mark Dolson in Bill C. Davis' Mass Appeal. Most recently he appeared in both the August (Equilibrium by Kellye Blosser) and September (Split by Ira Gamerman) editions of Mind The Gap Theatre Company's Monthly Staged Reading Series.
Rick Levine (Robert Stanton) most recently appeared in Radium Girls (Point of Contention), Gypsy, Frog & Toad and The Full Monty (Highland Park Players). Other credits include The Man Who Came to Dinner (Theatre on The Lake) and Crossing Delancy (Jefferson Park Players). Behind the scenes, Rick directed the area premiere of The Normal Heart in Minneapolis (for Broadway producer Roy Gabay) and The Night Hank Williams Died for the Griffin Theatre in Chicago (starring Jamie Denton). Further behind the scenes, Rick is the founder and former owner of theatrical businesses Act I Bookstore and PerformInk Newspaper.
Rebecca L. Mauldin (Agnes) is thrilled to work with Prologue for the first time! Most recent productions include: The Tempest (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble), The Oval Portrait (Mythic Proportions Theatre) and Dr. Egg and the Man with No Ear (Redmoon Theatre). She has also studied at a variety of schools in Chicago including I.O., Victory Gardens and Act One Studios. Rebecca is a proud graduate of Grinnell College in IA and the National Theatre Institute in CT. She extends her gratitude to Margo, Leonicia, the Sex cast, and staff at Prologue for making this an awesome experience. Much love to mother and sister.
Tinuade Oyelowo (Red) is thrilled to be a part of Prologue Theater Company's first season after just finishing Once on this Island with Fleetwood Jordan Theatre. Some of her credits include: Maria, 12th Night (Cornish College of the Arts); 365 days /plays (Silk Road); Narrator, Haroun and the Sea of Stories (Halcyon), understudy Gloria/Hope/Aunt Edna, First Breeze of Summer (Court Theatre); understudy Black Mary, Gem of the Ocean , Second Scientist, Half Life, understudy Laura, Glass Menagerie (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre); and Consume (Gorilla Tango). Tinuade is a graduate from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA with a B.F.A in Theater. Tinuade would like to thank Jess and Margo for all the love!
DeRante Parker (Manly/Condez/Policeman) is happy to be in Sex by Mae West. This is his second performance with Prologue Theater. He was last seen in The Cat's Meow: a Vaudevill as Player 3. Other recent Chicago roles include David Parker in Sex Signals and William Porter in Letters Home. DeRante enjoys doing theater because it's an opportunity to bring people together.
Nathan Pease (Rocky) is thrilled to be making his Prologue Theatre Co debut with such a talented cast and crew. A recent resident of Chicago, Nathan has also performed with First Folio Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, and Stage Center Theatre in Chicago. Regional credits include Michigan Shakespeare Festival, BoarsHead Theatre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Union Theatre Co, and Flint Youth Theatre, where he spent two seasons as a Resident Artist. Some of his favorite credits: Richard III, Victor Frankenstein, Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, both Dromio twins in The Comedy of Errors, and Bruce in Blue/Orange among others.
Anne Sheridan Smith (Clara Stanton) is enjoying this Mae West creation with Prologue. Anne most recently appeared in Wings at Apple Tree Theatre and understudied as Rose Stopnick in the Court Theatre production of Caroline, Or Change. Other Chicago credits include: Leah Barnett in Trust (Open Eye Productions); Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Open Eye); Old Town, musical by Brett Neveu (Strawdog Theatre); Abigail Adams in 1776 (Signal Ensemble - Jeff Award - Best Musical Production). Anne is a member of Foiled Again (vocal trio) with Rob Lindley, Allison Bazarko and Doug Peck on piano, appearing next at SPACE in Evanston on Dec. 21.
Bradford Stevens (Curly/Jones) is excited to be working with Prologue Theatre and the incredibly talented cast of Sex. A native Chicagoan, he fell in love with theatre while attending Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and working with the FAMU Essential Theatre. Upon graduating, he returned back home, to earn his MFA in acting from the DePaul Theatre School. Bradford is also a graduate of the Second City Conservatory, and a proud member of The Barrel of Monkeys Theatre troupe. He's had the privilege of working with a number of great theatres across town including; Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Stage Left, and The Raven, where he was nominated for a Jeff Award for best actor in Jesus Hopped The A-Train. Last but not least, Bradford would like to give mad thanks to the ancestors, and his incredibly supportive family and friends.
Reginald Vaughn (Dawson/Captain Carter) is a graduate of Indiana State University with a Masters in Communication and an influence in theatre. His noted professional productions includes: Hellcab, Den of Thieves, Soldier's Play and Measure for Measure. Reginald is also a member of Boom Troupe, a theatre company that travels around Chicagoland doing assemblies/plays for school kids. Reginald would like to give a big Fat Albert shout out to his major support group for being with him every step of the way and also to the fun cast of 'Sex'. Reginald's code: "conduct yourself with honor and grace and make ya mama proud!"
Sean Patrick Ward (Jimmy Stanton) is very excited to be working with Margo for a third show in a row, and very excited to be working with this talented cast. Special thanks to Greg, Nathan and Cynthia for being such awesome friends, and to Jes for being the only girl he wants to make out with. Ever.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Leonicia M. Berry (Stage Manager) from Cleveland, Ohio is happy to be working for Prologue Theatre Co. for the first time. Her previous works include directing The Colored Museum (Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble), and her role as Managing Director at Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble. Her stage management credits include: Jitney (Pegasus Players), The Wiz (White Horse Theatre Company), Rogers Park Theatre Festival 2006 (Rogers Park Theatre Ensemble), Stages XIII (Theatre Building Chicago), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Loyola University Chicago) and Mistero Buffo: Comic Mystery (Piccolo Theatre). She would like to thank her mom, Kat, Rick and Jermaine for their love and support.
Margo Gray (Director) is happy to be helming her second production as Prologue's artistic director. Margo is a graduate of Grinnell College and a former Fulbright Fellow with the Moscow Art Theater School in Russia. Recent projects include The Cat's Meow: a Vaudeville (Prologue), The Wonder: a woman keeps a secret (Point of Contention), and Aria da Capo (Bailiwick Director's Festival). Margo Twitters about the Chicago theatre experience (@margogray) and you can find other updates on her work at margogray.com. She wants to thank you for choosing to spend your evening seeing live theatre.
Jess Gyori-Eisenberg (Musical Director) is an actor, singer, playwright, pianist, teacher, and musical director. She teaches with Piano Lessons in Your Home, and is the Managing Director for Prologue. Jess is a graduate of Harrison Arts Center and University of Central Florida.
Carrie Hardin (Scenic & Costume Designer) is a member of Prologue Theatre. You may have seen her design work with Actors Workshop/Redtwist, Broken Compass, and Point of Contention. Thanks to everyone involved in putting this production together, and to Brett.
Steven E. Hill (Lighting Designer) has been doing theatre for many years and has worked on shows ranging from high school and college productions to community theatre and professional companies. He has worked professionally with The Body Politic, Idle Muse, Gemini Productions, Endangered Species, Remy Bummpo, First Folio, and Il Penseroso Productions. In addition to his Design and Technical credits, he is formerly a certified Actor-Combatant in the Society of American Fight Directors. Steven has directed Echoes and a children's show for Gemini Productions of which he was also the Artistic Director. Steven has attended such prestigious schools as Millikin University, Columbia College and College of DuPage. Some of Steven's favorite productions that he has worked on are What the Weird Sisters Saw, Echoes, Standing on my Knees, The Fox, Whistle in the Dark and The Seagull.
Mae West (Playwright) grew up performing in vaudeville. In 1926 she penned her first full-length play, which she entitled Sex despite the strenuous objections of producers and theater owners. No one had ever dared to include a live jazz band in a straight play or write dialogue in the language of the streets, but West never compromised once her mind was made up. Sex played to large and enthusiastic crowds (including many, many sailors) for 41 weeks until police raided the production in February of 1927. West was convicted of indecency, fined $500, and sentenced to 10 days in jail. She got out two days early for good behavior. West went on to write other successful and controversial stage plays including Drag, The Pleasure Man, and Diamond Lil before moving on to fame and stardom in Hollywood.
Press
Click here to view the press release.
"[Mae West] was a woman ahead of the curve and the Prologue Theatre Company’s production is a compelling tribute... The cast inhabits the era like apparitions made flesh."
from The Urban Coaster
"The star of this production is the venue. Generally, i’m not a fan of promenade staging, but Gray has used the sprawling Cultural Center effectively. Audience members get up and move around only a few times to signify a key scene change, and during the transitions, actors keep the momentum going by drunkenly singing in the hallway or flirting with you from the doorways."
from Chicago Theatre Addict
"This rarely revived 1926 comedy--about a hooker who tries to go straight after falling in love with a naive young businessman--is best remembered today because it earned its author-star, Mae West, eight celebrity-boosting days in the pokey for "corrupting the morals of youth." The play has lost much of its shock value, but its hard-boiled, bawdy dialogue and clever plotting can still garner laughs."
from The Chicago Reader
Listen to the Feast of Fun podcast interview actors Sean Patrick Ward and Jes Bedwinek.
The Cat's Meow: A Vaudeville
September 29-30, 7:30 pm
Mary's Attic (5400 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL)
This roaring romp of raucous revelry will get you wise to music, love, and the seedy underbelly of the 1920s.
Featuring: Mollie Asrat, Joshua Becker, Erin Baumruker, Chris Chamblee, Michael Carey, Naomi Finklestein, Melody Latham, Tim Lee, DeRante Parker, Shadana Patterson, Jon Pernisek, Tamara Randolph, Charlie Rasmann, Teresa Scalise, Michael Shepherd, Hannah Tuber, and Sean Patrick Ward.
Book and Musical Direction by Jessica Gyori-Eisenberg. Directed by Margo Gray.Choreography by Judy Parker.
Copyright . Prologue Theatre Company, Chicago, IL. All rights reserved.
