Jackalope Theatre Debuts THE CASUALS at Storefront Theater Tonight

Jackalope Theatre Company, in association with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, presents the world premiere of THE CASUALS, co-written by Chance Bone and Andrew Swanson and directed by Jonathan Berry, playing tonight, July 7 - 28, 2013 at The Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 15 at jackalopetheatre.org/tickets or by calling (773) 340-2543. The press performance is Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 pm.

THE CASUALS features Somer Benson, Emily Casey, Ed Dzialo, Sam Kurzydlo, Morgan Maher, Ellie Reed, Brad Smith and Norm Woodell.

THE CASUALS takes us back to 1955, where we meet once-beloved military radio host Richard Hughes, who walks a thin line between a past he's spent 15 years covering up and a profession that demands ultimate secrecy. When family comes to visit, Richard is forced to confront his past. Two stories collide and all of Richard's spinning plates come crashing down on the weekend of a neighborhood boy's birthday. Exploring the strain of power and the strength of the atom, THE CASUALS explores paranoia, curiosity and the dire need to hold on to the truth. Does knowledge truly set us free - and is it the responsibility of those with knowledge to share it? Though a white lie is still a lie, what's best isn't necessarily the truth.

The production team for THE CASUALS includes: John Wilson (scenic design), Stefin Steberl (costume designer), Jess Harpenau (lighting design), Thomas Dixon (sound design), Eleanor Kahn (props design), Elana Boulos (casting) Allison Raynes (stage manager) and Kaiser Ahmed (producer).

The Storefront Theater is located at 66 E. Randolph St. in Chicago. Dates: Previews: Sunday, July 7 at 7 pm, Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 pm and Wednesday, July 10 at 7:30 pm. Press preview: Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 pm. Regular run: Friday, July 12 - Sunday, July 28. Curtain Times: Thursday & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays & Sundays at 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Tickets: Previews: $5. Regular run: $15 general admission. $10 student discount (with current ID). Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 15 at jackalopetheatre.org/tickets or by calling (773) 340-2543.

About the Playwrights:

Andrew Swanson is the Director of Development & Community Engagement and the Resident Playwright for Jackalope, where his playwriting credits include The Last Exodus of American Men, Moonshiner, Under Construction and The Casuals. He is the recipient of Steppenwolf Theatre's inaugural Acting Fellowship, and a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf. Chicago acting credits include A Streetcar Named Desire (Writers' Theatre), Port (Griffin Theatre), Waiting for Lefty (American Blues), The Last Duck (Jackalope Theatre, Jeff Award nomination) and Rich And Famous (Jackalope Theatre).

Chance Bone makes his Jackalope debut. Previously, he has worked with Steppenwolf (most recently in Tracy Letts' Three Sisters), Lookingglass Theatre and the House Theatre of Chicago. He was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Wward for his work in Theatre Seven's Cooperstown. He has composed and arranged music for Chicago Dramatists, Theatre Seven and Theatre Mir. A collaboration with Bo Burnham resulted in Egghead Or, You Can't Survive On Ideas Alone (Grand Central Publishing) - and illustrated book of poetry. He is a 2009 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul.

About the Director:

Jonathan Berry is a director and teacher in Chicago. He is an Artistic Associate at Steep, where his productions include John Donnely's The Knowledge, David Eldridge's Festen, Deirdre Kinahan's Moment, Howard Korder's The Hollow Lands and Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui.Steppenwolf productions include the SYA production of A Separate Peace and the world premiere of Melinda Lopez's Gary, as well as the staged reading of Suicide, Incorporated. Goodman Theatre: The World of Extreme Happiness. As a Griffin Company Artistic Associate, productions include: Miller/Tysen's The Burnt Part Boys, Sheik/ Sater's Spring Awakening, the North American premieres of Simon Stephens Punk Rock (Jeff Award - Director, Lead Actor and Ensemble) Port and On the Shore of the Wide World, Stephen Sondheim's Company, William Inge's Picnic, JB Priestely's Time and the Conways (Jeff Award nomination - Director/Ensemble), Sidney Kingsley's Dead End, Brendan Behan's TheHostage and R.C. Sheriff's Journey's End. Other work includes: Gift Theatre: the world premieres of both Andrew Hinderaker's Dirty and Suicide, Incorporated; Chicago Dramatists: I am Going to Change the World; Remy Bumppo: The Marriage of Figaro; Theatre Mir: Bond's The Sea and Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle; and Lifeline Theater: The Piano Tuner. He pursued his MFA in directing from Northwestern University and has taught acting, directing and Viewpoints at University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Act One Studios, Columbia College and The School at Steppenwolf. Upcoming projects: Tom Murphy's Conversations on a Homecoming for Strawdog.

We cultivate theatre that manifests the adventure deeply rooted in the American mythos. For more information, visit www.jackalopetheatre.org.

Chicago Cultural Center Presents is an ongoing performing arts series that showcases both emerging and established music, theater, dance and multi-disciplinary artists at the Chicago Cultural Center and other venues. Dedicated to capacity building in the arts, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events hires the artists and provides performance space as well as technical and marketing support.

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