Ghostlight Ensemble Tackles Absurdism with SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR

Ghostlight Ensemble opens its inaugural mainstage production, Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author, not on the stage at all, but in the rehearsal room.

Join the actors and crew of a small, but scrappy Chicago storefront theatre as they begin rehearsals for The Mountain Giants - Pirandello's final, unfinished work - only to see their work halted by six strangers who show up with a fantastic tale of their own.

As the relationship between characters, actors, authors, directors and audience unfold,Six Characters in Search of an Author shows us the institutional racism and biases found in modern theatre.

"Pirandello said theatre should not be archeology, it should be adapted to contemporary ideas," said director Maria Burnham. "He wanted his work to remain relevant. With Six Characters we have this unique opportunity to use a play that has been performed for more than 90 years to examine what is happening in Chicago theatre today without any significant changes to the text.

"We have, however - as the Father says in the play - given these characters their independence and imagined them in a new situation. We have given them a significance that the author never thought of giving them."

Six Characters in Search of an Author runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. from April 14 to May 7 at Voice of the City studio in Logan Square. Please note, there is no performance on Sunday, April 16. Instead there will be a performance on Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Six Characters in Search of an Author stars: Joshua Arroyo (The Boy), Jean E. Burr (Ingénue), Norman J. Burt (Father), Ana Dragovich (Madame Pace), Nellsyn Hill (Director), Heather L. Jencks (Mother), Miona Lee (Leading Lady), Carolyn Minor (Props Designer), Emma Palizza (Second Lead Lady), Jason Pereira (Son), Chuck Quinn IV (Male Juvenile Lead), Andy Ricci (Leading Man), Kara Rivera (The Child), Lisa Uhlig (Stage Manager) and Alejandra Vivanco (Stepdaughter).

The production team is: Chad Wise (Producer), Lisa Uhlig (Stage Manager), Katy Vest (Costume Designer), Tim Lee (Set Designer) and Carolyn Minor (Props Designer).

Six Characters in Search of an Author is being produced in conjunction with Voice of the City and is supported by the L'Istituto Italiano di Cultura Chicago.

Patrons are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance at www.eventbrite.com/e/six-characters-in-search-of-an-author-tickets-31602755693. There is no charge to reserve a seat, however there is a suggested donation of $15, which can be paid in advance or at the door via cash or credit. This helps us cover the cost of rehearsal and performance spaces, as well as costumes, props and set construction.

Please note: Voice of the City is not handicap accessible. The performance venue is on the second floor and there is no elevator access. Ample street parking is available, and Voice of the City studio is only blocks away from the Logan Square Blue Line stop, as well as the Milwaukee, Kimball and Diversey bus lines.

Ghostlight Ensemble is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit theatre whose mission it is to shed light on the human experience and provoke communal connections beyond the edge of the stage.

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