ATC Closes 24th Season With HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH 4/9-5/17

American Theater Company (ATC) closes its highly successful Season 24 with a new production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, text by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli with musical direction by Malcolm Ruhl. The production will run April 9 - May 17, 2009 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago. Press opening is Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7 p.m.

Following its critically acclaimed collaboration with Congo Square Theatre Co., ATC will launch its second partnership of the season with About Face Theatre. The theatre will collaborate on artistic, outreach, marketing, and educational activities.

Winner of the 2001 Obie Award and Outer Circle Critics Award for best Off-Broadway Musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of a young East German who discovers that the only way to escape communism and come to the United States is to give up a little part of himself. Yes, through a bit of surgery, Hansel becomes Hedwig, marries, and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Anticipating a New York revival, the authors gave ATC special permission to produce this re-imagined version set in an underground rock venue in Chicago. To enhance the nightclub ambiance, ATC has re-orientated the theatre space and replaced many seats with an eclectic mix of loveseats, couches and chairs. In addition, ATC will open the door between the theater and its neighbor, Martyrs Restaurant and Pub, allowing audience members access to beverages during the show.

"We want to thank John and Stephen for allowing us to produce this version of Hedwig," says Paparelli. "This is a Hedwig like none before. Think Blondie meets Bowie. Chicago needs to have an exuberant theatre experience and that's what Hedwig is. Great Music. Great theatricality. Great emotions. Besides the mind-blowing score, this show is all about the new America: searching for its true identity and embracing its diversity. "

Hedwig and the Angry Inch will feature Nick Garrison in the title role and ATC Ensemble Member Sadieh Rifai as Yitzak. The show's four-piece punk rock band will feature Ben Mason on bass, Jeremy Fink on guitar, and Nick Davio on guitar and piano (drummer TBA).

The designers are ATC Ensemble members Keith Pitts (Set Designer) and Lindsay Jones (Sound Designer) joined by Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer), Mike Tutaj (Projection Designer), DJ Reed (Props), Katie Klemme (Stage Manager), and Paul Spadone (Costume Designer), assistant costume designer for all three Spiderman films.

Nick Garrison (Hedwig) has played the titular role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Seattle in 2000 and 2004, in Chicago in 2001, in San Francisco in 2003 and on tour in the UK in 2005 and 2006. In Seattle he has been seen at the Seattle Repertory Theatre in The Beard Of Avon, Twelfe Night and boom; at the Intiman Theatre in Loot; at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Rocky Horror Show and Cabaret; at the Empty Space Theatre in Valley Of The Dolls, Vera Wilde, Project X and (L)Imitations Of Life; and at Re-bar in Dirty Little Showtunes, The Misanthrope, Deflowered in the Attic, and his own pieces- Randee Sparks: Semi-Precious and What You Sing Might Save You.

Garrison appeared in New York in Mae West's Sex and at the Humana Festival in Aloha, Say The Pretty Girls and Life Under 30. Film and TV: Creatures From The Pink Lagoon, Deadline, and Strangers With Candy.

Sadieh Rifai (Yitzak) recently became an ATC Ensemble Member and was last seen in It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play and Speech & Debate which won her an After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance. Other Chicago credits include understudying the role of Johnna in August: Osage County (Steppenwolf Theatre) and the role of Noorani in Merchant on Venice (Silk Road Theatre). Sadieh is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf (2006).

Malcolm Ruhl (Musical Director) Musical Direction credits include: Ain't Misbehavin' at The Goodman Theatre; Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Drury Lane Oakbrook and Water Tower Theatres; Oklahoma! at ATC (Jeff nomination); Woody Guthrie's American Song (Jeff award), Blues in the Night (Jeff nomination) and Smoke on the Mountain at Northlight Theatre; Pump Boys and Dinettes at the Apollo and Forum Theatres (Jeff nomination); Grease at Theatre at the Center; Big, the Musical and Big River at Apple Tree Theatre. Malcolm appeared as "Jackson" in the Broadway production of Pump Boys and Dinettes and in the record-breaking run at Chicago's Apollo Theatre, where he currently serves as Musical Coordinator for Million Dollar Quartet. Composition credits include music for Holiday Memories at Northlight and Cicada Dance, for which he received Kennedy Center/ACTF awards for original play, music and lyrics. He has performed with Big Joe Turner, Harry Chapin, The Osmond Brothers, Vassar Clements, Jim Lauderdale and Jason Robert Brown.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch will be performed at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. in Chicago. Previews are Thursday, April 9 - Sunday, April 12, 2009. Press opening is Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm Regular performances in April run Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Regular performances in May run Thursday and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Parking is available on the street and at the metered lot on the corner of Lincoln and Berenice. ATC is wheelchair accessible. Throughout the regular run, tickets are $35 on Thursday's as well as for matinees and $40 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Opening Night tickets are $50. Student and group discounts are available.

ATC's box office is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on performance Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on performance Sundays. For reservations or further information, call 773-929-1031 or visit www.atcweb.org.

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY

American Theater Company is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" We provide a truly intimate home for the community to experience meaningful stories. We foster a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and create essential work.

American Theater Company is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and CityArts II. Additional valuable support is provided by the Alphawood Foundation, the Bruce B. Boyd Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, the Polk Bros. Foundation, and Prince Charitable Trust.

Brief Synopsis: Winner of the 2001 Obie Award and Outer Circle Critics Award for best Off-Broadway Musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of a young East German who discovers that the only way to escape communism and come to the United States is to give up a little part of himself. Yes, through a bit of surgery, Hansel becomes Hedwig, marries, and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. In its first rock musical ever, American Theater Company transforms its theatrical warehouse into an underground nightclub for a concert event not to be missed.

Previews: April 9 - April 12, 2009
Regular run: April 16-May 17, 2009
Opening Night: Monday, April 13 at 7:00pm
Schedule: Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00pm
Saturday Late Nights (May 2 - May 18 only): 11:00pm
Saturday Matinees (April 18 - April 25 only): 3:00pm
Sundays: 3:00pm

American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St., Chicago

Tickets: Previews: Pay what you can at the door, or reserved seats for $35 on Thursdays & Sundays and $40 on Fridays & Saturdays

Regular run: Thursdays & matinees $35; Fri & Sat evenings and late nights $40

Opening night including post-show reception $50

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 1909 W Byron St., Chicago; 773-409-4125; www.atcweb.org

 

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