Kirsten Fitzgerald, Cheryl Graeff & More to Star in Victory Gardens Theater's APPROPRIATE

Victory Gardens Theater announces the first play of its 2013-14 Season: the Co-World Premiere of Appropriate by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins,directed by Gary Griffin. Appropriate is presented in association with Actors Theatre of Louisville and was developed, in part, by IGNITION 2012. Appropriateruns November 8-December 8, with the press performance on November 15, 2013, at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

The cast includes: Kirsten Fitzgerald, Cheryl Graeff, Leah Karpel, Keith Kupferer and Stef Tovar. Additional casting to be announced.

"Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is an undeniably unique, dynamic and political voice in American Theatre. Inspired by Chekhov and O'Neill, Branden's fiercely original play speaks powerfully and relevantly to America's timeless issues of race, history and family," says Artistic Director Chay Yew. "I first read Branden's new play Appropriate during the selection process for Victory Gardens' 2012 IGNITION Festival. During the IGNITION workshop process-and before the public reading-I immediately promised him a production at Victory Gardens. I knew this play had to be experienced our Chicago audiences."

He adds, "I'm extremely pleased to have one of this country's most exciting directors, Gary Griffin, join our VG family and direct our production. We are proud to partner with Les Waters and Actors Theatre of Louisville's Humana Festival to give Branden and Gary a longer creative process with Appropriate."

When the Lafayettes descend upon a crumbling Arkansan plantation to liquidate their dead patriarch's estate, his three adult children collide over clutter, debt, and a contentious family history. But after a disturbing discovery surfaces among their father's possessions, the reunion takes a turn for the explosive, unleashing a series of crackling surprises and confrontations. A play about the trouble with inheritance, memory loss, and the art of repression.

Appropriate was developed, in part, at Vineyard Arts Project, Ashley Melone, Founder and Artistic Director; the 2012 Sundance Institute Theatre LAB at the Sundance Resort; and Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago, Illinois, Chay Yew, Artistic Director, Jan Kallish, Executive Director, as part of IGNITION 2012.

IGNITION, Victory Gardens daring and hugely successful new play development initiative, was conceived to support the theater's mission of new play development and diversity. In the spring of 2010, 120 writers of color under 40 years of age from around the United States submitted new scripts for the first phase of IGNITION. The top six plays were then selected, workshopped and presented as staged readings in a weeklong festival later that same summer. IGNITION plays include the Pulitzer finalist The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Year Zero and We Are Proud to Present..., among others.

Tickets: Previews: $20 - $40

Regular run: $20 - $60

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago.

773.871.3000; victorygardens.org

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