Refuge Theatre Project's HIGH FIDELITY Remount Extends Through March

The current remount of Refuge Theatre Project's enormously successful 2016 production of High Fidelity: The Musical, originally scheduled to close on March 6, 2017, has been extended three weeks to Saturday, March 25, 2017.

Cast members continuing in the production for the complete extension are Max DeTogne (Rob), Liz Chidester (Laura), Lewis Rawlinson (Dick), Caitlin Jackson (Liz), Jameson Wentworth (Ian), Amy Stricker (Marie LaSalle/Charlie), Britain Gebhardt (Sarah), Jacob Fjare (PYM/Rob US, Trumpet) and Bradley Halverson (PYM/Dick understudy).

Vasily Deris, currently in Chicago Theatre Workshop's Creatives, will join the cast on March 19 to replace Nick Druzbanski as Barry for the final five performances.

Kirk Jackson will replace Noah Berman as Bruce (The Most Pathetic Man in the World) for the final four performances. Sebastian Summers will move up from swing to the roles of PYM, Mohawk Guy and Ian US for the entire extension. Joining the cast for the extension are Molly Coleman (most recently seen in Refuge's bare), as Anna/Alison, Deanalis Resto (of Theo Ubique's Rent) as Penny and backup singer and Michael Cadville and Shelby Westart as swings.

As in 2016, the company secured a space that it has decorated as the record store setting of the musical based on Nick Hornby's 1995 novel and on Stephen Frears' 2000 feature-film. The company's found space for the remount is at 1415 N. Ashland and has been named "Refuge Records."

The day after closing--Sunday, March 26--Refuge will be hosting a Refuge Records Garage Sale beginning at 8 AM to sell set, prop & costume items from the production to the public, while supplies last.

This is the first production of the musical to be performed in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, the setting of the movie adaptation that starred Chicago natives John Cusack, Joan Cusack and Lili Taylor. Refuge's High Fidelity: The Musical will be performed Thursdays through Sundays as well as Monday, February 20, through March 25, 2017. The musical, with a score by Tom Kitt (Next to Normal, Bring It On The Musical, If/Then), book by David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole, Shrek the Musical, Good People) and lyrics by Amanda Green (Bring It On The Musical, Hands on a Hardbody) is the story of Rob, the owner of a vintage record shop called Championship Vinyl. Rob tries to make sense of his recent split with girlfriend Laura by reviewing the "top five breakups" of his life.

High Fidelity has again been directed and choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik, recently named Artistic Director of the two-year-old company founded by Ross and Morgan Egan. Pazdernik's previous credits include directing and choreographing Wicked City by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar for Chicago Theatre Workshop, and Anyone Can Whistle and Miracle on 34th Street for Porchlight Music Theatre. He has also choreographed Bailiwick Chicago's Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson and produced and directed a series of successful cabarets at Davenport's saluting Broadway's greatest songwriters. Jon Schneidman is music director.

All seats are $30 plus applicable ticketing fees. Performances will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 6 pm and Monday, February 20 at 8 pm. through March 25th. Tickets may be ordered online at www.refugetheatre.com.

IF YOU GO:

High Fidelity
Book by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Tom Kitt, Lyrics by Amanda Green
Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik
Music Direction by Jon Schneidman
January 27 - March 25, 2017
Performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 6 pm and Monday, February 20 at 8:00 pm
Refuge Records
1415 N. Ashland Avenue
Tickets available online at www.refugetheatre.com
Street parking is available. Public transportation - Nearest El: Blue Line Division St. station. Nearest buses: #9 Ashland, #56 Milwaukee and #70 Division.

Christopher Pazdernik is a director/choreographer with "a near encyclopedic knowledge of musicals" (NewCity Stage). Christopher's recent Chicago credits include The Rink, Anyone Can Whistle, City of Angels and Applause (Porchlight Revisits), Wicked City (Chicago Theatre Workshop), Planted (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival), Make Me a Song (Eclectic Theatre Co.), High Fidelity (Refuge Theatre Project), Story of A Story (The Untold Story) (Underscore Theater Co.), Bette, Live at the Continental Baths (Hell in a Handbag) and a Jeff Award nomination for co-choreographing Spamalot with Nightblue. An openly HIV+ artist, Christopher was named a 2016 Windy City Times 30-Under-30 honoree for his contributions to Chicago's LGBT community.

Refuge Theatre Project was founded in 2015 by Ross Egan and Morgan Egan with the goal of utilizing the appeal of musical theatre to foster a broader and more accessible theatre community. We aim to further our mission by producing contemporary musical theatre that is free from anything extra. We tell stories about people dealing with life in a way that is meaningful and fun. Musical theatre for real people. Visit www.refugetheatre.com for more information.

The company's previous productions include the musicals Next Thing You Know, produced in February, 2015; Glory Days, in August-September, 2015, High Fidelity in January-February 2016 and bare: a pop opera in October-November 2016. Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune, in awarding 3-1/2 stars to that production, said of it "...what matters most in the musical theater - truth, vulnerability, promise - are all on display in abundance.... (it's) tribute to a very powerful idea from its artistic leadership that really enhances the material... If you like pop musicals and young casts, this should be enough to get you to church for one of those cool, exciting, affordable, only-in-Chicago theatrical experiences."

Refuge Theatre Project's 2017 season will also include Things to Ruin: The Songs of Joe Iconis. Described as a "theatrical rock concert," the production will be directed in summer 2017 by Refuge Theatre Project Associate Artistic Director Matt Dominguez. The season will conclude in fall with the Chicago professional premiere of Lysistrata Jones, by Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn. The musical will be directed by Justin Brill and choreographed by Shanna VanDerwerker. Dates and venues will be announced later.

Pictured: Nick Druzbanski, Max DeTogne, Lewis Rawlinson, Noah Berman, Britain Gebhardt, Lizzie Schwartzrock, Bradley Halverson (on ground), Darren Patin Photo by Laura Leigh Smith.

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