GRACELAND Concludes Profiles Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season, Runs 5/22-6/28

Profiles Theatre concludes its 20th Anniversary Season with the World premiere of the comedy/drama Graceland by Ellen Fairey, directed by Matt Miller. The production runs May 22-June 28, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The press opening is Thursday, May 28, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.

Chicago's oldest cemetery is the backdrop for Graceland, the story of four lonely Chicagoans whose lives collide one August weekend while the Blue Angels airshow is in town. As fighter jets buzz the skies from dusk till dawn, estranged brother and sister Sam and Sara try to make sense of their father's recent suicide. Sara's one night stand with Joe, an aging lothario, brings further trouble in the form of Joe's mercurial teenage son, Miles. Graceland is a World premiere comedic drama about the loneliness of family, the tenderness of strangers and the unexpected benefits of bad decisions.

Ms. Fairey's first full length play, GIRL, 20, was named one of the "Top Ten Most Promising Plays of 2006" by the Chicago Tribune in its World Premiere production by Serendipity Theatre. The production subsequently moved to Los Angeles, where it received rave reviews and was nominated for two 2007-2008 LA Weekly Theatre Awards for Best Director (Matt Miller) and Best Ensemble.

This is the fifth and final production of Profiles Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season following its acclaimed productions of The Wonderful World of Dissocia by Anthony Neilson, Great Falls by Lee Blessing, The Thugs by Adam Bock and Men of Tortuga by Jason Wells. The titles for Profiles' 2009-2010 season will be announced soon.

The cast of Graceland features Profiles' ensemble members Somer Benson (The Wonderful World of Dissocia, The Thugs), Eric Burgher (The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Men of Tortuga) and Darrell W. Cox (Great Falls, Men of Tortuga). The cast also includes Brenda Barrie as Sara and Jackson Challinor as Miles, both making their Profiles debuts.

"Profiles, to me, is such a distinctly Chicago theatre company- the whole vibe, the work they do- it's honest and tough," says playwright Ellen Fairey. "When they told me they were interested in Graceland, I was thrilled. What better place for a play about Chicago? Although I've recently moved to Los Angeles, Chicago remains my close to my heart and Graceland is, in a way, a kind of love letter to the city that shaped the way I write plays and who I want to write plays about."

"Ellen continued the development of Graceland last year with Profiles in mind, and we have watched the play grow beautifully as she has revised it throughout the season," says Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. "This is the first time in our 20 year history that we have worked so closely with the playwright on the development of a script."

The designers are William Anderson (set), Jessica Harpenau (lights), Ricky Lurie (costumes), and Misha (sound and original music). The assistant director is Profiles ensemble member Tyler Gray and the stage manager is Darcy McGill.

Tickets for Graceland are $25 for Thursdays and Sundays; $30 for Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, www.profilestheatre.org. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.

Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni and has since been continually producing plays. Profiles brings new works to Chicago that illuminate the determination and resiliency of the human spirit. The company produces World, US and Midwest Premieres by new playwrights, as well as established writers whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. Profiles is particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language and the company takes pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk. Profiles Theatre is committed to producing plays that tell a story in a captivating way with productions that complement the ensemble and speak to its audience.

Dates: Previews: May 22, 23, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

March 24 at 7 p.m.

May 25, 26, 27 at 8:00 p.m.

Dates: Press opening: May 28, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.

Regular run: May 28 - June 28, 2009

Schedule: Thurs, Fri, Sat: 8:00 p.m.

Sun: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway

Parking is available for $10-$12 at 4100 N. Clarendon

(One block east of the theatre at the corner of Clarendon and Belle Plaine)

Ticket prices: Fridays and Saturdays, $30; Thursdays and Sundays, $25; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.

Box Office: Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org or call (773) 549-1815

Profiles Theatre, founded in 1988, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season.

 

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