Cold Basement Dramatics Sets HEAT WAVE Cast, Beginning Next Month as Part of Steppenwolf's Garage Rep 2015

Cold Basement Dramatics announces the cast and creative team for its upcoming production of Heat Wave, part of Garage Rep 2015 at the Steppenwolf Garage. Written by Steven Simoncic and directed by Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary, the production will run February 20 - April 25, 2015 and marks the 20th anniversary of the Chicago heat wave of 1995.

Press weekend is March 7 and 8. Tickets are now on sale at steppenwolf.org and at 312-335-1650. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for students with proper ID. The first performance on Friday, February 20, is part of Chicago Theatre Week 2015. Visit chicagotheatreweek.com for more details.

It is Chicago, in the summer of 1995, and an intense heat wave has gripped the city with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees. By the time it's all over, over 700 people will have died, mostly the poor, elderly, or minorities with nowhere to seek shelter. As the morgues overflow, the city's emergency response team is called into question. The Mayor's Office combats the criticism with a public relations campaign that successfully turns the blame onto the victims and their families.

As Chicago approaches the 20th anniversary of that summer, Heat Wave tells the incendiary story of those who were made invisible and the resulting inflammation of civic passions, reminding Chicagoans of their strengths and city leaders of their responsibilities to citizens across all spectrums.

The ensemble cast features Mykele Callicut (Ensemble), Mike Cherry (Manny), Claudia DiBiccari (Gabriella, Denise), LaQuin Groves (Ensemble), Arch Harmon (Lester/Old Man), Zach Livingston (Sandy), James McGuire (Dale), Carmen Molina (Cass), Abby Pierce (Hopper), Paula Ramirez (Bonnie), Cheryl Roy (Liz, Pauline), Gary Simmers (Bigby), Eric Staves (Ryan Sandberg, Ted), Preston Tate, Jr. (Vanish, Young Man), Richard Traub (Stu). Michael Bartz and Mary Jo Bolduc will understudy various roles.

The creative team includes Steven Simoncic (Playwright), Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary (Director), Julia Carusillo (Scenic and Properties Designer), Elsa Hiltner (Costume Designer), Jeffrey Levin (Composition and Sound Designer), Paul Deziel (Projection Designer), Brian Kilborn (Film Director), Jen Poulin (Dramaturg), Kathleen Dickinson (Stage Manager), Sarah Pickett (Production Manager), David S. Candiotti (Technical Director), Bex Marsh (Assistant Director), Hannah Sawicki (Assistant Director), Cassandra Schiano (Assistant Dramaturg), Kristen Ahern (Costume Assistant), Kate Hardiman (Properties Assistant), Edward Torres (Artistic Consultant), Casey Cunningham (Casting Director), Liz Siedt (Graphic Designer), and John Pagano (Artistic Director).

Steven Simoncic (Playwright) is thrilled to be a part of Steppenwolf's 2015 Garage Rep. His plays have received productions, readings, and workshops at Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, Soho Theatre London, The Purple Rose and Stageplays Theatre Co. New York. His play, Once Upon a Time in Detroit, was a semi-finalist for the 2013 Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Playwrights Conference, and Toxic Donut won the NAAA Playwriting Festival in London. His play, Broken Fences, received critically acclaimed productions in New York and Chicago, and Ghost Gardens will be produced in Spring 2015 at Pegasus Theatre Chicago.

Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary (Director) was seen in last year's Garage Rep production of She Kills Monsters with Buzz22. She is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group, Collaboraction, Teatro Vista and 2nd Story Theatre's Directing Ensemble. A directing graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Rinska has worked an actor/director with companies such as American Blues Theater, Steep Theatre Company, Stage Left Theatre, American Theatre Company, and many others. Most recent directing credits include Between Pancho Villa and a Naked Woman (Halcyon Theatre) and May 39th (Halcyon Theatre). Assistant directing credits include The Happiest Song Plays Last (Goodman Theatre) Fish Men (Goodman Theatre). Devised works include Amok (Links Hall) and The Education Project (Collaboraction).

Cold Basement Dramatics is an itinerant Chicago theatre company committed to telling stories about the things that we hide from ourselves and others. Founded in 2010, Cold Basement Dramatics has been a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since December 2013.

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