Littlebrain Theatre Announces Debut Production BICYCLE THIEVES

Littlebrain Theatre is pleased to announce its debut production: Bicycle Thieves, premiering January 2019 as a part of Curious Theatre Branch and Prop Thtr's Rhinofest. Bicycle Thieves is a devised stage adaptation of the 1948 Vittorio De Sica film of the same name. The play follows the story of Ricci, an Italian worker striving to build a stable life for his wife and child in a post-war depression economy. When he finally finds a job that requires him to own a bike, the family pawns their possessions to purchase one. The bike is stolen on his first day of work, launching Ricci and his child Bruno into an odyssey through the streets of Rome to retrieve it. The play tackles the difficult relationship between ethics and class - the morals we strive to hold for ourselves, and the desperate situations that can cause even the staunchest minds to compromise their beliefs. With a diverse cast of nine and a team of interdisciplinary designers, Littlebrain will explore the transition of film to stage in a fresh reimagining of this classic story.

Littlebrain is thrilled to announce the cast of Bicycle Thieves: Janette Angelini, Laura Brennan, Annabella De Meo, Danny Gadaj, Ann-Claude Rakotoniaina, Denise Smolarek, Autumn Wehry, Elana Weiner-Kaplow, and Austyn Williamson. Bicycle Thieves is directed by Zach Barr and produced by Clare Brennan, with stage management from Lenny Fritsch. The set is designed by Evan Frank, lights by Fran E. Gallagher, sound and composition by Erik Siegling, costumes by Anastasia Kontchaeva, props by Brandii Champagne, and photography by Willie Burton.

Established in 2018 by director Zach Barr and producer Clare Brennan, Littlebrain Theatre seeks to explore the art of adaption through devising and collaboration. Littlebrain fosters a communicative, shared space where a collective of artists with diverse backgrounds and skills can create new work. We tell stories that encourage conversation, both celebrating and elevating the community present in our audience and among our contributors.

Says Curious Theatre Branch, "Each year, Curious Theatre Branch and Prop Thtr curate and produce the Rhinoceros Theater Festival, which provides production and exhibition opportunities to hundreds of artists and draws thousands in attendance each year. The longest-running fringe festival in Chicago, the Rhino features works in theater and performance from Chicago companies and national artists alike. First organized in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago, the Rhinofest is unique among national fringe festivals in that artists are never charged a fee to participate. Each year's programs are individually curated rather than selected on a lottery basis."

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