Gorilla Tango Theatre Presents CITIZENTENARIAN: 100 YEARS OF ORSON WELLES Tonight

Gorilla Tango Theatre, in preparation for the July opening of the new play WAR OF THE WORLDS, presents a celebration of ORSON WELLES' 100th birthday with CITIZENTENARIAN: 100 YEARS OF ORSON WELLES, tonight, May 6th 2015 at 7pm, at Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1200 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Call (773) 598-4549 to reserve tickets, visit gorillatango.com, or purchase in person at the box office. Visit Gorilla Tango Theatre online at gorillatango.com.

On this, the 100th anniversary of Orson Welles' birth, we are celebrating the accomplishments of one of history's greatest auteur artists. Though controversial and "unfortunate" in personality (his words, not ours), Orson contributed some of the most exciting artistic triumphs of his time, including CITIZEN KANE, the most lauded film in history, and WAR OF THE WORLDS, a radio play which reportedly caused panic among the American citizenry.

On May 6th, we honor this man with a series of radio play performances culminating in a sneak preview of Robert Eric Shoemaker's adaptation of WAR OF THE WORLDS, which will premiere at Gorilla Tango Theatre on July 9th, 2015 and run through July 24th.

Each cast and/or crew member has selected ten minutes of one of Orson's radio plays, including DRACULA and REBECCA, and will perform it in the guise of Orson Welles with the improvisational assistance of the entire cast and crew. The night will culminate with a sneak peek at the new WAR OF THE WORLDS adaptation.

Join us for this one-of-a-kind event on May 6th, 2015. Follow us @wellesandwells for tweets during and leading up to the event: #MercuryTheatreOnline, #Citizentenarian.

About War of the Worlds:

ROBERT ERIC SHOEMAKER's new adaptation of WAR OF THE WORLDS will open July 9th, 2015 at 7 PM, and run July 16th, 23rd, and 24th at 7 PM.

"We know now that in the early years of the twentieth century this world was being watched closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own..." Orson Welles, 1938.

"WAR OF THE WORLDS" is a new play derived from the infamous 1938 radio broadcast by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre On the Air. The original radio play, aired on Halloween, wreaked media havoc because of its realistic portrayal of news shows in the 30's.

Reimagined as a harbinger of tweets to come, "WAR OF THE WORLDS" by Robert Eric Shoemaker sees Orson Welles and other members of his company at the scene of the crime, in the CBS radio studios, just as they are about to embark on the "hoax" of the century.

Join in an exploration of the radio play format mixed with meta-theatrical devices, unforgettable characters, and, did we mention - an alien invasion?

MORE ABOUT THE TEAM:

ROBERT ERIC SHOEMAKER (Writer & Director): Robert Eric Shoemaker is a Chicago based poet-playwright, director, and arts journalist. Eric's work has been seen at Gorilla Tango Theatre, City Lit Theatre, American Theater Company, 3 Brothers Theatre, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company, and others. He was awarded the 2014 Olga and Paul Menn Foundation Prize for Best Play for his musical PLATH/HUGHES, as well as a 2015 DCASE Individual Artist Program grant from the City of Chicago for his project "LORCA IN AMERICA". Eric's production of PLATH/HUGHES at Gorilla Tango Theatre was lauded by critics for its lyrical originality, immersive quality, and historical accuracy. Upcoming productions include WAR OF THE WORLDS at Gorilla Tango, LEAD ME INTO DARK with the Theatre of Western Springs, DEATH AT A READING as part of Dandelion Theatre's THE COAT CHECK, and a guest company production at Redtwist Theatre. In addition to making theatre, Eric is an arts journalist and poet published in Newcity, Evanston Now, Rollick Magazine, the Chicago After Dark Anthology, and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Upcoming publications include a book of poetry from Thought Collection Publishing. Eric is a graduate with honors from the University of Chicago, where he was Artistic Director of the Classical Entertainment Society. Follow his work at reshoemaker.com.

CITIZENTENARIAN and WAR OF THE WORLDS feature Chicago actors SEAN STEPHEN THOMAS, HILARY METZGER, SHELLEY DEHOSSE, FELIPE JORGE, and JAMES BROOKS.

About Gorilla Tango Theatre Bucktown: Gorilla Tango Theatre (GTT) is a year-round theatrical venue where audiences of all ages can consistently go to see a wide variety of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists with an opportunity to produce their work in professional environment. GTT offers a variety of affordable beer and wine for purchase. Consult the website for rating information, tickets, and details.

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