Adventure Stage Chicago Presents Theater Unspeakable's THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Now thru 11/29

From The Patriot to John Adams, from the iconic portrait of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Gottlieb Leutze to the musical 1776, the birth of our nation has been portrayed countless times in countless ways in the arts. But never quite like this.

Adventure Stage Chicago, a program of Northwestern University Settlement Association, presents Theater Unspeakable's production of The American Revolution, a critical history lesson in 50 minutes, from tonight, November 4-29 at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St. in Chicago.

Seven actors-suspended on a platform two feet off the ground-share 21 square feet of space to recreate the entire heroic fight for American independence from Lexington to Yorktown. Using only the actors' bodies, voices and (pantomimed) cannons, the show evokes an epic time period in American history. Combining tongue-in-cheek humor with a dash of derring-do, The American Revolution displays Theater Unspeakable's company's rowdy brand of bare-boned and imaginative physical theater in the company's first ever extended run in Chicago.

"The country's founding had an imperfect beginning, built upon the sacrifice, slaughter, and subjugation of many individuals and peoples," said Marc Frost, director of "The American Revolution" and founder of Theatre Unspeakable. "I want them to leave feeling proud of their country's founding, because it truly was the dawning of a new era for personal freedom; yet, even in its most beatified heroes, we see the flaws, the human shortcomings, which to me make the achievements all the more inspiring. We also hope they laugh, too."

"At Adventure Stage we tell heroic stories about young people. Theater Unspeakable's The American Revolution is a continuation of this work, but with an intriguing twist," said Tom Arvetis, Producing Artistic Director of Adventure Stage Chicago. "Here we have not a young person, but a young country. A country by all measures still in the very early stages of its life but unmistakably called toward its own independent future. With The American Revolution, Theater Unspeakable looks back on the birth of our country with their delightfully dexterous approach to storytelling and invites us to imagine what freedom looks like almost 240 years later."

Public Performances will take place November 8, 15, 29 at 4 p.m., and November 14, 21, 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Student Matinees will take place November 4-6, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Press Opening is November 8 at 4:00 pm.

Tickets for all shows are $17 for adults, $12 youth aged 14 and under and groups of ten or more; $7 previews. Student groups begin at$7. A special $10 ticket is available to neighbors in the 60622 and 60642 zip codes. The American Revolution is performed at Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., in the heart of Chicago's West Town neighborhood. Street parking is available, and the theater is close to the Noble St. stop on the #56 Milwaukee bus line and the Division stop on the CTA Blue Line. The theater is wheelchair accessible.

For more information, call (773) 342-4141 or visit www.adventurestage.org

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