Jon Steinhagen's BLIZZARD '67 to Open 16th Street Theater's 10th Anniversary Season

16th Street Theater's 10th anniversary season begins with BLIZZARD '67 by Jon Steinhagen directed by Ann Filmer January 12 - February 18, 2017 at North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, with a press opening of Thursday, January 19 @ 7:30 PM.

Four businessmen in 1967 Chicago carpool to work navigating the twists and turns of corporate politics. These tensions play out when they foolishly attempt to drive home in the record-breaking blizzard. When one man is abandoned, the others face their choice and how it will affect their lives thereafter.

"As an homage to the late Russ Tutterow who directed the world premiere at Chicago Dramatists in 2012," states Artistic Director Ann Filmer, "this production of Blizzard '67 brings back the original scenic design by Grant Sabin as well as actor Stephen Spencer who originated the role of Henkin, the man they leave behind."

The cast also includes Mark Pracht, Noah Simon and Christian Stokes and features designs by Barry Bennett, Tony Churchill, Benjamin White and Rachel Sypniewski.

BLIZZARD '67 is the first offering in 16th Street's Season Ten 2017: The Journey.

Jon Steinhagen is a Chicago-based freelance author, playwright, musician/musical director, actor, Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, and member of the Dramatists Guild. He has received four Joseph Jefferson Awards and ten nominations for his work in Chicago theater, as well as the Julie Harris Playwriting Award and a Clubbed Thumb biennial commission. Among his plays and musicals are Blizzard '67, Successors, ACES, Dating Walter Dante, The Analytical Engine, Devil's Day Off, Inferno Beach, The Next Thing, and The Teapot Scandals. He recently appeared in Raven Theatre's production of John Guare's The House of Blue Leaves and in the Chicago Premiere of End of the Rainbow at Porchlight. Other stage work includes roles in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Price, The Odd Couple, Plainsong, Plaza Suite, 1776, and many others. A collection of his stories, The Big Book of Sounds, was recently published by Black Lawrence Press.

Ann Filmer is a director, adaptor and producer of new plays. She founded 16th Street Theater in 2007 where she has produced 48 new plays including directing The Ascension of Carlotta, The Scarlet Ibis, Kita y Fernanda, Mixin' It Up, Fires in the Mirror, Unveiled, The Last Barbecue, This Train, Menorca, The Beats, Our Dad is in Atlantis, Our Holiday Stories, Nickel History: The Nation of Heat, Love and Drowning, "8", Broken Fences (with Ilesa Duncan), Do-Gooder, Pinkolandia, The Art of Disappearing, Merchild, Yasmina's Necklace and Carroll Gardens. Ms. Filmer also has directed at such theatres as Remy Bumppo (The Clean House), Victory Gardens (Disconnect), Goodman (Chicago Boys; Almost Done, Reunion, and Dark Pony), Red Orchid (Eric LaRue), Shattered Globe (The House of Blue Leaves), Live Bait (Us and Them), Stage Left (Spare Change, In Times of War), Chicago Dramatists, CollaborAction, Circle (Golf), Theatre on the Lake, Porchlight, Emerald City, The Aardvark (The Last Barbecue). While Producing Director of Chicago Dramatists, Ann co-produced the National Showcase of New Plays and won an After Dark Award for her direction of The Liquid Moon as well as editing the anthology New Plays from Chicago. She adapted and directed The Midnight City-her fourth collaboration with renowned visual artist Tony Fitzpatrick and Stan Klein at The Steppenwolf Garage. Her production of A Charlie Brown Christmas is currently at Chicago's Broadway Playhouse.

IF YOU GO:

BLIZZARD '67
by playwright-in-residence Jon Steinhagen

Directed by Ann Filmer
FEATURING Stephen Spencer, Mark Pracht, Noah Simon and Christian Stokes

DESIGNS BY Grant Sabin (scenic), Barry Bennett (sound), Benjamin White (lights), Tony Churchill (Projections), Rachel Sypniewski (costumes), stage managed by Wendye Clarendon

January 12 - February 18, 2017
Previews: Jan 12 & 13 @ 7:30 PM, Jan 14 @ 8:00 PM, Jan 15 3:00 PM
No 4pm Sat Jan 14
Press Opening: Thursday, January 19 @ 7:30 PM
Regular Run: Thursdays & Fridays @ 7:30 PM, Saturdays @ 4:00 & 8:00 PM
Moderated post-show dialogues follow Thursday and Friday performances.

RUNNING TIME: Two hours including one intermission.

At 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn

Purchase tickets: Online - www.16thstreettheater.org; By Phone - (708) 795-6704; In Person - at North Berwyn Park District, 1619 Wesley Ave., Berwyn
General Admission: $22, Berwyn Residents: $18 Group Ticket Discounts for 8+

Free parking one block west in lot at 16th & Gunderson across from Lincoln School

North Berwyn Park District's 16th STREET THEATER is Berwyn's professional equity theater. Located just 17 minutes from downtown Chicago, 16th Street was named Best Emerging Theater 2013 in Chicago Magazine and twice awarded a National Theatre Grant from American Theatre Wing. Just west of Ridgeland, the theater is one mile southwest of the Austin exit off the Eisenhower Expressway/290 and the Austin Blue line.

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