JOINT ATTENTION, TELL ME WHEN IT HURTS & More Set for Three Cat Productions' 2013-14 Season

Three Cat Productions is excited to announce its first full season, three world premieres of new works by Chicago playwrights, produced in partnership with the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Cultural Center at 6205 N. Sheridan Road. The 2013/14 season kicks off in fall with Joint Attention, a drama about the struggles of a young couple with an autistic child, by Pat Curtis. For the holidays, Three Cat presents Tell Me When It Hurts, a farcical romantic comedy, by Lisa Scott. The season concludes in spring with a new musical revue, Hang Your Hat at Mr. K's, about the stars who performed at one of Chicago's most famous jazz clubs; book written by Jarrin Davis. All three productions will be directed by Jason Paul Smith, Three Cat Productions Artistic Director. Tickets are now on sale at threecatproductions.com.

In addition, Three Cat announces the return of its Chicago New Work Festival. The festival helps Chicago area playwrights refine new plays and musicals. All three playwrights in the upcoming season participated in the inaugural festival this year. The 2014 Chicago New Work Festival will be held Jan. 6 to Feb. 1, 2014. Eight invited playwrights will each be paired with a director, and the playwright-director team will be assigned one week of the festival to workshop the play, with a staged reading at the end of the week.

Later this year, Three Cat will announce the time frame for SOLO Chicago, an annual festival of new solo shows, and the schedule for its Cabaret On The Lake series.

"I am thrilled to be presenting these three new works, which feature unique Chicago voices," said Jason Paul Smith, Three Cat Productions Artistic Director. "The season highlights Three Cat's commitment to the development of Chicago-based artists."

Three Cat Productions Season*:
* Performances at the Berger Park Coach House Theater, 6205 N. Sheridan Road

Oct. 24 to Nov. 16, 2013
Joint Attention
By Pat Curtis
Directed by Jason Paul Smith

When a young couple's son is diagnosed with autism, they grapple with the extraordinary challenges that follow. Conflicting medical opinions and an abundance of inconsistent information might be the least of their challenges. As they struggle to accept and understand their son's condition, they discover life's more ordinary issues won't wait. Joint Attention explores the pitfalls of a still poorly understood condition and the dedication and determination required to address it.

Pat Curtis is a Network Playwright at Chicago Dramatists. The inspiration for Joint Attention came from her work as a school psychologist, where she encountered families dealing with the devastating effects of autism and was touched by their heroism and determination in seeking treatment for their children. The play was part of the 2013 Chicago New Work Festival. Curtis' 10-minute comedy, Sibling Ribaldry, was part of the "Best of the Tens" Second City showcase in November 2012.

Nov. 27 to Dec. 21, 2013
Tell Me When It Hurts
By Lisa Scott
Directed by Jason Paul Smith

Stripped of his ER, thwarted in his career ambitions, and rejected by his love interest, Dr. Guy Better is in crisis. Over the course of one night, a pair of off-kilter clinic patients, a surly police officer and an imaginary dog embodying philosopher Immanuel Kant push him to catharsis and renewal. Playing with the fantastical and the absurd, Tell Me When It Hurts blends sincerity and silliness to create an ultimately warm-hearted work about the real pain of living.

Lisa Scott is a Network Playwright at Chicago Dramatists. Tell Me When It Hurts was originally developed in a Chicago Dramatists workshop with Stage Left Theater. Her play-in-progress, La Familia Dune, was part of the 2013 Chicago New Work Festival. Scott also is a storyteller and has been seen at Here's The Story and This Much Is True. She is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

April 23 to May 17, 2014
Hang Your Hat at Mr K's
Book by Jarrin Davis
Directed by Jason Paul Smith

Step into the old Chicago's jazz scene as Ella, Barbra and the crew take us on a red-hot ride in the new musical revue Hang Your Hat at Mr. K's. Told through the eyes of a cook and bellhop, who watch as magic unfolds, the story draws from the history of one Chicago's most famous jazz clubs, MR. Kelly's, which during its operation from 1957 to 1975 launched many great careers. The show is packed with music, comedy and dance to delight both those who remember the time and those who are new to the vibrant history of Chicago jazz.

Jarrin Davis is a playwright and director. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he became Artistic Director of Omaha Center Stage, where he worked for nine years. His production of Ain't Misbehavin' won first prize among entries from 66 other countries in the Toyama International Theater Festival in Japan. Davis also was named Best Director. His play, Son of a Distant Moon, has been performed in New York, Philadelphia and D.C. His play, Light, was part of the 2013 Chicago New Work FestivaL. Davis' latest play, The Second Bullet Hole, is in its final stages of development.

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