Lookingglass Theatre Teams with TodayTix for $25 HARD TIMES Lottery

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces a partnership with TodayTix-the free mobile app that provides on-demand access to theater tickets-to offer exclusive $25 Lottery tickets to the return of the award-winning, circus-infused Hard Times, adapted and directed by Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman from the book by Charles Dickens and in association with The Actors Gymnasium. Hard Times runs through January 14, 2018 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

A limited number of $25 tickets will be available through the TodayTix mobile Lottery for all evening performances of Hard Times through January 14, 2018. The lottery will open every performance day at midnight and all winners and non-winners will be notified 3 - 5 hours before the performance. Lottery winners may pick up their tickets at the Lookingglass box office one hour prior to show time.

"We had a strong audience response to our very first TodayTix lottery this summer around Moby Dick," notes Director of Marketing Anna Marie Faulkner. "We're excited to continue our partnership with TodayTix for our circus-infused adaptation of Dickens' Hard Times, and once again provide theatre-goers the chance to nab a great seat at an amazing price!"

A Dickensian carnival of characters inhabits the streets of smoke-choked Coketown: grim Mr. Gradgrind's school churns out joyless students; poor Stephen Blackpool toils in the nearby mines; and mill-owner Mr. Bounderby, full of bluster and bombast, presides over it all. Only when a traveling circus alights nearby, and young orphan Sissy Jupe enters their world, does a ray of hope shine through. Artistic Director Heidi Stillman adapts and directs this timeless love-letter to the power of beauty, hope, and imagination.

Returning to Hard Times are Ensemble Members David Catlin (returning to the role of Stephen and Sleary), Raymond Fox (returning to the role of Mr. Gradgrind, Sissy's Father and Slackbridge), Louise Lamson (in the role of Rachael, Mrs. Gradgrind and Scherezade through 12/17) and Artistic Associate Troy West (returning to the role of Mr. Bounderby). The cast also includes Artistic Associate Atra Asdou (Rachael, Mrs. Gradgrind and Scherezade beginning 12/19), with Audrey Anderson (Sissy), Amy J. Carle (Mrs. Sparsit, Drunk Woman and Pufflerumpus), Raphael Cruz (Bitzer and Le Papillon), Cordelia Dewdney (Louisa), Marilyn Dodds Frank (returning to the role of Mrs. Pegler), Nathan Hosner (Mr. Harthouse, Mr. M'Choakumchild and Kidderminster), Julie Marshall (Circus Swing) and JJ Phillips (Tom).

The performance schedule for Hard Times is as follows: Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m. (Nov 21; Dec 12, 19; Jan 2 only); Wednesdays: 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. (Oct 19, 26; Nov 16, 30; and Dec 21, 28 only) and 7:30 p.m. (except Nov 23); Fridays: 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays: 2:00 p.m. (except Oct 7, 14) and 7:30 p.m.; Sundays: 2:00 p.m. (except Oct 15) and 7:30 p.m. (except Oct 8, 15; Dec 24, 31). Tickets, priced $50-$85 are available at the box office, by phone at (312) 337-0655, or online at lookingglasstheatre.org.

Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative. Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. Now in its 30th 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. The Company has staged 64 world premieres, received 144 Joseph Jefferson Awards and nominations, and work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Louisville and St. Louis. Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States. In 2016, Lookingglass received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions.

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 thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Heidi Stillman, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Director Philip R. Smith, Connectivity and Engagement Director Andrew White, Interim Managing Director Michele Anderson, a 24 member artistic ensemble, 23 artistic associates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman John McGowan and President Nancy Timmers. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.

TodayTix is an international ticketing platform on a mission to redefine the way people see and experience theatre. Through effortless access to the best shows, insightful guidance to the world of theatre, and thoughtful service at each moment along the way, TodayTix enables people to discover the best that their city has to offer. As the first and only free mobile app for iOS and Android connecting the next generation of culture lovers to theatre, TodayTix is disrupting an established industry that is ripe for innovation.

Operating in the world's most iconic theatre markets, TodayTix secures the best discounted and full price tickets available for the hottest shows in New York City, London's West End, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Boston, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and most recently Toronto.

To learn more, visit todaytix.com or download TodayTix for iOS or Android.

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren

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