The Fine Print Theatre Company kicks off its third season with the world premiere of "Boy Small" by MT Cozzola, directed by Fine Print artistic director Patrick Kenney. "Boy Small" runs at Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont Ave., August 23rd through September 22nd. Shows are Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm.
In "Boy Small", Boy and Sissy are coming of age in a troubled home. Boy is a rebel whose repeated attempts at freedom have landed him in a dog cage. Sissy's good behavior has won her some autonomy, but she's neither as docile nor as free as she appears. The two have created their own brand of family under the watchful eye of their frustrated father and his self-obsessed second wife. But when Boy embarks on his most extreme bid for freedom, their bond is severed and the family is catastrophically transformed.
"Boy Small" features actors Malcolm Callan, Stephen Cefalu*, Cat Dean, Deanna Moffitt and Taryn Wood*. The production team includes Fine Print production manager Jarrod Bainter, Dave Belden*, Emmi Hilger*, Steve Labedz, Mark Penzien*, Sydney Ray, John Gleason Teske and Ashley Ann Woods. (*Fine Print associate artist)
"Boy Small" originated in the 2012 Citizens Play Festival at Fine Print, where it was one of four finalists in the competition. The play went on to further development in Fine Print's Fresh Ink series, before being featured in the Saturday Series at Chicago Dramatists. Russ Tutterow, artistic director at Chicago Dramatists, said of the play; "BOY SMALL is one of the most provocative and scary plays we have seen at
Chicago Dramatists in our 35-year history."
"Boy Small" was inspired by the tragic events surrounding the disappearance and death of Christian Choate, a boy whose body was discovered in a shallow grave in May 2011. On January 11, 2013, his father Riley Choate was convicted for neglect and abuse. At his sentencing, Riley said, "All my actions will haunt me forever. I loved my son." The paradox of family love and intolerance, within the dysfunctional environment of American culture, is explored in Cozzola's fictional play.
The Fine Print Theatre Company presents the world premiere of "Boy Small" by MT Cozzola, directed by Patrick Kenney, at Red Tape Theatre, 621 W. Belmont, August 23 - September 22. Shows are Thur-Sat @ 8pm and Sun @ 3pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at thefineprinttheatre.org or by calling 312-945-7966.
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