Bonnie Metzgar News

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and the About Face Board of Directors announce the success of the 'Face the Future Campaign,' which earned over $200,000 for the company, erased debt and raised funds for artistic programming and the foundation of a new cash reserve.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce that Leslie Hall (of Leslie and the Lys) will host and perform at 'The Homo Show,' the second installment of About Face Theatre's Summer Camp 2009: A Summer Cabaret Series. The series is sponsored by Windy City Media Group, and 'The Homo Show' is also sponsored by Think Pink Radio and Studio 110.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are proud to announce About Face Theatre's 2009/2010 Season, which features the launch of the new 'OUT & ABOUT' initiative. 'OUT & ABOUT' will engage patrons and members with local businesses by negotiating discounts and other incentivized interactions in locations all over the city of Chicago.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce that Leslie Hall (of Leslie and the Lys) will host and perform at 'The Homo Show,' the second installment of About Face Theatre's Summer Camp 2009: A Summer Cabaret Series. The series is sponsored by Windy City Media Group, and 'The Homo Show' is also sponsored by Think Pink Radio and Studio 110.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce About Face Theatre's summer series of three cabaret performances before the start of 2009/10 season. Summer Camp 2009: A Summer Cabaret Series is sponsored by the Windy City Media Group

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce About Face Theatre's summer series of three cabaret performances before the start of 2009/10 season. Summer Camp 2009: A Summer Cabaret Series is sponsored by the Windy City Media Group

About Face Theatre today announced Wonka Ball 2009, a celebration of past, present and future supporters of the Theatre. The popular annual soiree will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard Street. The main event begins at 7:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

About Face Theatre today announced Wonka Ball 2009, a celebration of past, present and future supporters of the Theatre. The popular annual soiree will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard Street. The main event begins at 7:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) raised nearly $200,000 at their annual gala held on March 7, 2009 at the The Spertus Institute in Chicago. This year's gala celebrated the company's 35th Anniversary and honored General Director Brian Dickie as he marks his 10th Anniversary with the company. Over 250 guests enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffles, silent and live auctions throughout Spertus Institute, allowing the visitors the opportunity to experience the bold and crisp architectural spaces of the building. COT Board Trustee and Gala Committee Chairman Lincoln S. Ellis emceed the evening and mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy was the evening's featured performer.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine today announced the postponement of the spring 2009 world premiere production of 'What Once We Felt,' a new play by Ann-Marie Healy to October-November 2009. Simultaneously, the About Face Theatre Board of Directors launched a national 'FACE THE FUTURE' campaign to save the organization by raising $300,000.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce About Face Theatre's second show of its 2008/2009 season, a dynamic, multimedia adaptation of 'Stupid Kids' by the late John C. Russell. The production, directed by Metzgar and Youth Theatre Program co- founder Megan Carney, will be presented at the Center on Halsted. 'Though set in the late '80s, our production incorporates very contemporary, interactive elements that kids are using today to express who they are- blogging, social networks, texting, personal video,' says co-director Metzgar. 'In fact, we will encourage audience members to leave cell phones on during the show and become a part of the action. We wanted to create a live collage of images and impressions from both eras to build a mash-up of these two generations.' To celebrate stupid stories about high school, About Face has launched the Stupid Kids Stuff Blog (http://stupidkidstuff.blogspot.com/), providing an opportunity for visitors to share their personal stories about being a 'stupid kid' and to participate in the Stupid Kids Multimedia Art Contest. Winning submissions will be featured in performances of the show and artists will receive complimentary tickets.

Artistic Director Bonnie Metzgar and Managing Director Rick Dildine are pleased to announce About Face Theatre's second show of its 2008/2009 season, a dynamic, multimedia adaptation of 'Stupid Kids' by the late John C. Russell. The production, directed by Metzgar and Youth Theatre Program co- founder Megan Carney, will be presented at the Center on Halsted. 'Though set in the late '80s, our production incorporates very contemporary, interactive elements that kids are using today to express who they are- blogging, social networks, texting, personal video,' says co-director Metzgar. 'In fact, we will encourage audience members to leave cell phones on during the show and become a part of the action. We wanted to create a live collage of images and impressions from both eras to build a mash-up of these two generations.' To celebrate stupid stories about high school, About Face has launched the Stupid Kids Stuff Blog (http://stupidkidstuff.blogspot.com/), providing an opportunity for visitors to share their personal stories about being a 'stupid kid' and to participate in the Stupid Kids Multimedia Art Contest. Winning submissions will be featured in performances of the show and artists will receive complimentary tickets.

The Public Theater and Joe's Pub are proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Joe's Pub with an unprecedented 300 shows from September through December.

The Public Theater and Joe's Pub are proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Joe's Pub with an unprecedented 300 shows from September through December.

Nationally Acclaimed Producer/Director/Playwright Named New Head of About Face Theatre

The final plays - The Sin Collector, Puja Play for Sri Ganesha, 7-Eleven, All Good Things Must Come To An End, 9-11, Talkback, The Blank Before The World and 365 Days/ 365 Plays: A Play Within A Play - will be directed by Joanna Settle (In Darfur) and presented at The Public Theater on Sunday, November 11 at 7PM.

The Public Theater's Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Mara Manus, in association with Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Producer Bonnie Metzgar's 365 National Festival, are pleased to announce the schedule of the final New York presentations of 365 Days/365 Plays. Four companies - Universes, Rebel Theater Company, HERE Arts Center, and Pig Iron Theatre Company - will present their original interpretations of Parks's texts, culminating in a final presentation at The Public Theater that will include the 365th and final play of the cycle.

365 Days/ 365 Plays - The play cycle by Suzan-Lori Parks comes to Baltimore via Run of the Mill, Morgan State University and the University of California at Irvine.

The Public Theater's Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Mara Manus in association with playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog, Venus) and Producer Bonnie Metzgar's 365 National Festival has announced 365NYC JulyFest - a festival that will offer an explosion of innovative presentations of Suzan-Lori Parks' '365 Days/365 Plays' during the month of July.

The Public Theater's Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Mara Manus in association with Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks' and Producer Bonnie Metzgar's 365 National Festival have announced the May / June schedule of the New York presentations of Suzan-Lori Parks' 365 Days/365 Plays.