BITE: A PUCKING QUEER CABARET Opens Tonight at Mary's Attic

Pride Films and Plays will complete its fun summer in Mary's Attic with the world premiere of BITE: A Pucking Queer Cabaret, PFP Artistic Associate Derek Van Barham's immersive, pop-rock ode to A Midsummer Night's Dream. As Puck and the other fairies at Mary's prepare for a celebration, their world is rocked by news of a break-up between their King and Queen. When four mortals wander up the stairs, they get caught in a web of drinking and deception, as they become pawns in a magical game of love, 400 years in the making. Mary's Attic will be filled with music, dance, and fairies of all kinds, as BITE retells one of the Bard's beloved love stories through a queer lens.

The cast features (in alphabetical order): Caitlin Aase (Stupid F*cking Bird, Fusion Theatre Company), Jeff Bouthiette (Coraline the Musical, Black Button Eyes), Raymond K. Cleveland (Man of La Mancha, Theo Ubique), Nathan Cooper (Saturday Night Fever, Royal Caribbean International) , Jacob McKenzie Gilchrist (Rent, Metropolis Performing Arts), Kathleen Hoil (The American Revolution, Theatre Unspeakable/Lincoln Center), Will Kazda (Swimming in the Shallows, Piven Theatre Workshop), Jennifer Ledesma (American Idiot, Up And Coming Theatre), Carmen Molina* (Design for Living, Pride Films & Plays), David Mor (Sons of the Prophet, Celebration Company at Station Theatre), Jordan Shomer (All-Girl Poe Project, The Mammals), Melanie VItaterna (Secret Garden, Lake Forest Theatre), and Kevin Webb* (Design for Living, Pride Films & Plays).

BITE is adapted and directed by Derek Van Barham*. The production team includes Christopher Young (Assistant Director), Brad Caleb Lee (Scenic and Costume Design), G Max Maxin IV (Lighting and Projection Design), and Kallie Noelle Rolison * (Sound Design).

*indicates PFP company member

Bite: A Pucking Queer Cabaret previews Friday and Saturday July 8 and 9 at 7, and Sunday, June 10 at 5. The press opening is Monday July 11 at 7:00PM. Thereafter, the performances schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:00PM and Sunday at 5:00PM. Closing is August 14. Please note there is NO performance on Sunday August 7. There is an additional industry performances scheduled on Monday, August 1 at 7:00PM. Tickets are $25 for Monday and Thursday performances and $30 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There are discounts for students and seniors. And PFP also offers a Four Play Pass to see four shows for $80. Purchase tickets or passes at www.pridefilmsandplays.com or by calling 1 800 737 0984. Mary's Attic is 5400 N Clark in Chicago.

Derek Van Barham is an Artistic Associate with Pride Films & Plays, and is the Artistic Director of The Ruckus. Directing: From These Fatal Loins (The Ruckus), Miracle! (Hell in a Handbag), Angry Fags (PFP/Steppenwolf Garage), TRASH (New American Folk Theatre), Kill Your Boyfriends (an original piece), and Songs from an Unmade Bed (Jeff nomination). Movement: Coraline the Musical and Goblin Market (Black Button Eyes), La Chingada (Inappropriate Theatre), Matawan (The Ruckus), and pieces for Salonathon. He was named one of Windy City Times' 30 Under 30, honoring individuals from Chicago's LGBTQIA communities. He currently improvises at The Annoyance with the team Baby Wine. MFA: CCPA/Roosevelt University.

Photo by Carolyn Reynolds Photography

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