Hillel Levin's WAKE Plays One-night Only at FitzGerald's 2/13

16th Street Theater, a part of the North Berwyn Park District, announces the one-night-only staged reading of Hillel Levin's WAKE directed by Ann Filmer performing Sunday, February 13 at 6:00 PM at the nationally-recognized music venue FitzGerald's Nightclub at 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. This is the second offering in 16th Street's Season Four 2011: Season of Change, following their hit The Beats.

In 2000, Prop Thtr asked Ann Filmer to direct a reading of investigative reporter Hillel Levin's "fictional" play set in the late 1980s about the maneuvering of Chicago's political machine after the death of the city's first black mayor. The power-house cast included RAndy Steinmeyer (from A Steady Rain), Guy Massey (from The Stranger and These Shining Lives) and Ernest Perry, Jr. "Now 10 years later and with Daley moving out of Chicago's City Hall", states Filmer, "we thought it the perfect time for a wake, one week before the mayoral primary." Steinmeyer (as Alderman Max Neely) and Massey (as Richard Kloster) will reprise their roles, as well as (confirmed as of press time) Richard Henzel, Laura Wells and a special cameo by Tony Fitzpatrick. Other cast members TBA.
To answer your questions: Yes, the bar will be open (it is a wake after all) and food can be purchased from the adjacent Wishbone. For more info http://www.16thstreettheater.org/seasonfour/wake.html

HILLEL LEVIN BIOGRAPHY

"Although my characters may think that they are masters of their destiny, they are more likely to be victims of it."
Hillel Levin has been a reporter and writer for several publications, including The Nation, New York, Monthly Detroit, Metropolitan Detroit and Playboy. He was executive editor for Metropolitan Detroit and editor for Chicago magazine. He is the author of Grand Delusions: The Cosmic Career of John Z. DeLorean (Viking, 1984), When Corruption Was King (Carroll & Graf, 2004), and In With the Devil (St. Martin's Press, 2010).
Movies based on When Corruption Was King and In With the Devil are currently in development at Paramount Pictures. A movie based on his Playboy article, "Boosting the Big Tuna," is in development at Universal Studios.
His play, Wake, was selected for New Play 2000, a collaboration between Prop Thtr and the National New Plays Festival. He currently lives with his family in the Chicago area.

ABOUT FitzGerald's

FitzGerald's was built in the 1920s and has always been a gathering spot, from the early days as a hunting club and watering hole through its teen years as a jazz club during the '50s and '60s, featuring acts like Bob Scobey, Turk Murphy, Lil Armstrong, and the Original Salty Dogs. The FitzGerald family bought and renovated the building in 1980, and since then its reputation for great music in a casual, comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere has grown steadily. Chicago Magazine calls it "a musical gem," and the club has consistently found itself in the top 5 in Chicago polls of favorite venues.

Over the years, we realized that there were a few things that we would like to offer -- an "away" room for customers to meet and talk, and a separate space for gatherings and parties. Through the years we acquired the buildings on either side of us, and in 2001 we took the plunge and began to restore them to their original 1920s' glory, with the help of the Berwyn Development Corporation.

As a result, we can now offer a classic tavern, and an elegant, intimate private party room with onsite catering. FitzGerald's is fully wheelchair accessible.

OTHER
Cash bar. Food may be purchased from Wishbone. Arrive early to get your order in.

WHO:
CONFIRMED CAST AS OF PRESS RELEASE: RAndy Steinmeyer and Guy Massey. With Tony Fitzpatrick, Richard Henzel and Laura Wells. Others TBA

TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
$18 Tickets
Online - www.16thstreettheater.org
In Person - at North Berwyn Park District, 1619 Wesley Ave., Berwyn
Ticket and Information Hotline - (708) 795-6704
Included as part of 100 Club Subscription

HOW MUCH:
General Admission: $18
Student Rush Tickets (available day of show only): $10

16th STREET THEATER is Berwyn's professional equity theater under the artistic direction of Ann Filmer. Now in its fourth year, 16th Street's Season Four 2011: Season of Change is supported in part by The Alphawood Foundation and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and numerous individuals. The BERWYN CULTURAL CENTER, a North Berwyn Park District managed facility, is dedicated to providing the highest quality and range of cultural arts programs, classes, workshops, events, and exhibitions providing opportunities for Berwyn residents and area artists. The center provides year-round programs engaging participants of all ages in visual, performing, literary, martial and media arts and 16th Street Theater's professional productions. The BCC also serves as an incubator for emerging artists, artisans, writers, performers and musicians to develop and present new works. The center is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and sustainability of our local communities by advancing appreciation for the beauty of cultural diversity.

 

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