Lookingglass Theatre Adds 7-Person High Wire Act to HEPHAESTUS, Previews Begin 4/7

Lookingglass Theatre Company proudly announces the addition of a 7-person high wire pyramid as part of its popular circus-inspired production, Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale.
Lookingglass Theatre Company's Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale will be held at Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn.  

The cast, led by Lookingglass Artistic Associate Tony Hernandez, has been training and rehearsing for 6-7 hours a day, 6 days a week for the past few months in Sarasota, Florida with the famous Wallenda family.

"We always did a three person pyramid in Hephaestus, and I always had the dream that we could do the pyramid with seven people as a nod toward the seven gods of Mt. Olympus. Now that we are performing at the Goodman Theatre, we have the height and space to make that dream a reality," says Hernandez. "With the pyramid, we are pushing the limits of human achievement and storytelling. This is neither digital, nor CGI. There are no lines or magnets-it's pure balance, trust, training and teamwork."

Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale was created by Artistic Associate Tony Hernandez with story and direction by Tony Hernandez and Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Hephaestus, produced by Lookingglass Theatre and Silverguy Entertainment, will run at the Goodman's Owen Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, April 7-May 23, 2010.

The cast includes Tony Hernandez, Lijana Wallenda, Almas Meirmanov, Anna Stankus, Erendira Wallenda, Nik Wallenda, Aislinn Mulligan, Rani Waterman, Tatianna Ranallo, Khori Faison, Katie Kasper, Hanna Jarvis, Nich Galzin and Jarrett Dapier.

The world's elite circus performers, including veteran members of the Wallenda Family, Ringling Bros. and Cirque du Soleil, return to Chicago for Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale. A Lookingglass Original and Silverguy Entertainment sold-out hit in 2005 and 2008, Hephaestus is a must-see circus theatre event. Evocative storytelling, amazing athleticism and the very highest levels of circus artistry bring the ancient Greek myth of Hephaestus to the high wire in this death-defying circus retelling.

According to Greek Myth, Hephaestus was born weak, disfigured and crippled. Displeased by the sight of her son, Hera cast Hephaestus from the heavens, and he fell for an entire day before landing in the sea. On Earth, Hephaestus became a great artist, fashioning metal into beautiful works of art. Combining elements of circus, theatre, live music and dance, Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale follows the God of the Forge as he encounters sea nymphs, creates men out of steel and falls in love with the most beautiful goddess of all.

Tickets are on sale beginning Friday, February 12, 20010, at GoodmanTheatre.org; (312) 443-3800. Previous productions of Hephaestus have sold out.

Hephaestus: A Greek Mythology Circus Tale is directed, created and written by Tony Henandez and Heidi Stillman and is being co-produced by Lookingglass Theatre and Silverguy Entertainment. Previews will be held April 7-14, 2010. Hephaestus will open Thursday, April 15, 2010 and run through May 23, 2010. Performance times are as follows: Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m., Thursdays: 7:30 p.m., Fridays: 7:30 p.m., Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays: 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. There will be no performances on April 10, 2010 due to Lookingglass' premier gala event, gglassquerade.

Hephaestus will play the Goodman Theatre's Owen Bruner Theatre, located at 170 N. Dearborn.
Ticket prices are as follows: Previews: $20 - $40, Regular run: $25 - $70. Tickets available through GoodmanTheatre.org, in person at 170 North Dearborn, or over the phone at 312.443.3800. Group Sales: call (312) 337-0665 (Lookingglass Box Office).

Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone.
10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone. Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply.

Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative. Lookingglass Theatre Company was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. 2009-2010 marks the company's 22nd anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 53 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 42 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations.

Work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C. and St. Louis. In the 2009-2010 season Lookingglass Alice will be seen at The Actors Theatre of Louisville, ALLIANCE THEATRE and Syracuse Stage; Around The World in 80 Days will be seen this season at Centerstage in Baltimore and Kansas City Repertory. Lookingglass Originals have been produced across the United States.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003. In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with more than 15,000 community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director David Catlin, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Artistic Director Elect Andrew White, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 22-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Lisa Naparstek Green. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

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