DCA Theater Announces Fall 2012 Season

Today, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture (COTC), announced the Fall 2012 Season at both DCA Theater venues: the DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street, and the DCA Studio Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street.

The DCA Storefront Theater Fall 2012 Season will feature a world premiere production by WildClaw Theatre; a U.S. premiere bySideshow Theatre Company and a Chicago premiere by BackStage Theatre Company.

“We are excited to collaborate with these notable companies on what promises to be a diverse and exciting Fall 2012 Season,” said Nate Brandt, Director of Theater and Dance Programming, COTC. “DCA Theater brings audiences the best of Chicago's local talent into the Loop at an affordable ticket price, while providing our theater companies the invaluable opportunity to produce in a state-of-the-art venue in downtown Chicago with no rental fees.”

The DCA Studio Theater, located in the Chicago Cultural Center, will host the following companies as part of the Incubator Series, which supports the development of new works: The Ruckus Theatre Company; Route 66 Theatre Company; The Theatre Exchange; and Praxis/High Concept Laboratories. Additionally, DCA Theater will present the AFTRA/SAG Senior Radio Players and performances by the Vet Art Project.

DCA STOREFRONT THEATER FALL 2012 SEASON

Idomeneus by Roland Schimmelpfennig, translated by David Tushingham
U.S. Premiere presented by Sideshow Theatre Company
Directed by Jonathan L. Green
Media Opening: Thursday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m.
August 18 – September 23, 2012
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $25 for general admission; $15 for seniors and students; pay-what-you-can (at the door) or $20 in advance for previews (8/18, 8/19 & 8/22)
dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Idomeneus, King of Crete, has killed his son. Or maybe not. Maybe he's let his son live, but angered the gods in doing so.  Or maybe the person he thinks is his son is an imposter.  Maybe his real son actually turned into a talking, shape-shifting sea-creature and is back to have a heart-to-heart.  Or maybe it's all true, all at once. A kaleidoscope of monsters, mythmaking and sudden, striking humor, the U.S. premiere of Roland Schimmelpfennig’s smash-hit Idomeneus details the end of a war between nations and the beginning of a war between reason and superstition. Idomeneus makes a promise to the gods, and what comes next is a fractured, mythic tidal wave, brought to life with astounding theatricality by Sideshow's adventurous ensemble of storytellers.

Sideshow Theatre Company’s mission is to mine the collective unconscious of the world we live in with limitless curiosity, drawing inspiration from the familiar stories, memories and images we all share to spark new conversation and exploration. For more information, visit sideshowtheatre.org.

Thursday, August 30: Post-show discussion following the performance

The Life of Death by Charley Sherman, adapted from the short story by Clive Barker
World Premiere presented by WildClaw Theatre
Directed by Carolyn Klein
Media Opening: Thursday, October 4, at 7:30 p.m.
October 2 – November 4, 2012 
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $25 for general admission; $15 for seniors and students; $15 for preview (10/2 & 10/3)
dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

It’s Christmastime in London, but mortality, not merriment, is on everyone’s minds. Leaving a trail of victims in his wake, a serial killer is terrorizing the British capital. Elaine, however, has been dealing with life and death matters on a more personal scale. While going through the healing process from a life-saving hysterectomy, she becomes fascinated with death. Elaine’s morbid obsession leads her to an old church being demolished and a mysterious man who shares her dark curiosity. In this adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story,The Life of Death is a journey of transformation and restoration from beyond the grave.

WildClaw Theatre is dedicated to bringing the world of horror to the stage, attracting an audience craving strange journeys of dread, suspense, terror and wonder. For more information, visit wildclawtheatre.com.

Thursday, October 11: Post-show discussion following the performance

The Language of Trees by Stephen Levenson
Chicago Premiere presented by BackStage Theatre Company
Directed by Matthew Reeder
Media Opening: Friday, November 16, at 7:30 p.m.
November 14 – December 16, 2012
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
No performance on Thursday, November 22
DCA Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph Street
Tickets: $25 for general admission; $20 seniors; $15 for students; $15 for previews (11/14 & 11/15)
dcatheater.org or (312) 742-TIXS (8497)

Sent by a private company to the Middle East, Arabic translator Denton is captured and held hostage by a faceless enemy, becoming the focus of intense media attention. Left behind are his wife Loretta and seven-year-old son, Eben, who struggle with maintaining a life quietly torn asunder by the reality of Denton’s capture.

BackStage Theatre Company is an ensemble of theatre artists dedicated to the exploration of family. For more information, visit backstagetheatrecompany.org.

Thursday, November 29: Post-show discussion following the performance
Every Sunday: Post-show discussion following the performance

DCA Storefront Theater Ticket information
All tickets are available by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497), visiting dcatheater.org, or stopping by the Chicago Cultural Center Ticket Office in the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street, open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Tickets go on sale one hour before each performance at the DCA Storefront Theater. Be sure to follow DCA Theater on Facebook for updates and information.

Discounted parking is once again available at Wabash/Randolph Self Park at 20 E. Randolph Street. Patrons can receive the $12 rate by validating their ticket at the Storefront Theater ticket office.

Each season, the DCA Theater accepts proposals from the city’s itinerant theater and dance companies who wish to bring their pioneering productions downtown. Presenting companies receive free performance space and resources, while theatergoers get an exciting glimpse into Chicago’s world-renowned performing arts scene. Deadline for Spring 2013 season submissions is May 15, 2012. For more information and to apply for either space, visit dcatheater.org/yourshow.

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