Al Smith's Atom Bomb Play ENOLA Set for the Side Project, Now thru June 15

Mixing fact and fiction, faith and science, theatricality and stark realism, playwright Al Smith explores the legacy of war on youth by having Enola, the 8-year-old daughter of the man who built the plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, walk him through that fateful summeR. Rogers Park-based theatre company, the side project, presents the U.S. premiere of Enola, which won the 2006 Sunday Times (U.K.) Playwriting Award, as part of its three-show Spring Repertory, starting today, May 13.

Enola tackles the deeply trying controversies surrounding the creation and deployment of the atom bomb in this highly theatricalized fictional account that shows us that we all have our finger on the button.

“Enola ultimately explores the idea that in the strength of our intellect—our creativity and imagination—lays our capacity for power and peril,” Director Jaclyn Jutting said. “the side project is the ideal place to produce this premiere – their intimate space allows us to open the Pandora’s box.”

"We are excited to present this show, along with The Promise (another one of the three-show rep plays), in bowling alley seating, with audience on both sides of the stage," Artistic Director Adam Webster, said. "When Jackie indicated what themes she was interesting in highlighting, amidst the myriad explorations inherent in the play, the theatricality of being able to present it where audience members are forced into a heightened awareness of their fellow patrons, became very exciting. The third show, Joan's Laughter, is being presented proscenium to connote being locked in the cel with Joan of Arc."

Written by Al Smith and directed by Jaclyn Jutting, Enola features the talents of Julia Weed(Enola), Ian Novak (Cramer), Ron Butts (Weller/William), Christopher Meister (Scherhoff/Groves), Gary Saipe (Father/Truman). The Stage Manager/Props Designer is Rebecca Cagney and the Production Coordinator/Technical Director is Steven Hill with Set Design by Jacob Watson, Costume Design by Ryan Goldner, Sound Design by Sarah Gilmore, Projections by Mike Stanfill and Lighting Design by Michael Nardulli.

Enola opens tonight, May 13 at 7pm and runs Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 7pm and Sundays at 5pm through June 15. Tickets are $10-$20 and can be purchased online at www.thesideproject .net or by calling the box office at (773) 973-2150.

The Spring Repertory series kicks off tonight, May 13 with the opening of Enola. The series continues on May 16 with Joan’s Laughter a world-premiere play about Joan of Arc’s last hour on Earth. The third show of the series, The Promise opens on May 22 telling the story of three Russian teenagers who meet in a derelict apartment during WWII.  All three shows then run in rep through June 17. Tickets are $10-$20 and can be purchased online at www.thesideproject.net or by calling the box office at (773) 973-2150. A 3-show pass can also be purchased for $39.

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