NAFT and Redtwist's THE SUMMER OF DAISY FAY Now Jeff Recommended

The Chicago production of The Summer of Daisy Fay, based on the Fannie Flagg novel Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man and presented in association with Redtwist Theatre, is now Jeff Recommended. This marks the first Jeff Recommendation for New American Folk Theatre (NAFT), currently in its third season. The Summer of Daisy Fay, written by Ed Howard, is directed by NAFT co-founder and artistic director, Anthony Whitaker, and stars NAFT company member, Charlie Irving as Daisy Fay.

This one-woman show is currently running thru August 17 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60660. Performances are Saturdays at 3pm, Sundays and Mondays at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at daisyfay.brownpapertickets.com or visit www.newamericanfolktheatre.org for more information.

Daisy Fay is a charming, spunky young woman from small town Mississippi in 1958, who has dreams and ambitions for something far more than her humble roots. Daisy Fay carries the audience with her as she recounts memories, both heartfelt and jovial, from her tom-boyish youth, to her success in theatre, to her adventures in the world of beauty pageants. Through her experiences, she becomes an advocate for the underdog.

Renowned author Fannie Flagg has entrusted the stage adaptation of her bestselling novel, Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, to Ed Howard, one of the creators of the popular cycle of Tuna, Texas plays. Flagg's novel was on the New York Times Bestseller List for 10 weeks. Her second novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, was on the NYT list for 36 weeks.

Director Anthony Whitaker says, "I first met Daisy Fay when I read the novel (then called Coming Attractions) in 1988. After having been a long-time and frequent performer of the Tuna, Texas plays, I was thrilled to find that Ed Howard had adapted this story into a one-woman show."

Charlie Irving became a Company Member at New American Folk Theatre after she made a bewitching turn in the company's 2014 production of Dark of the Moon. Irving says, "I have loved getting to know this character! Though she's undeniably hopeful, she is a whole person with struggles of belonging and regrets we can all relate to." Whitaker added, "It is a real honor for the New American Folk Theatre, and me personally, to bring Daisy Fay to Chicago audiences along with Fannie Flagg's honest look at life and her eternal optimism."

The Summer of Daisy Fay is a one-woman show featuring New American Folk Theatre Company Member Charlie Irving* as Daisy Fay.

The production staff includes Anthony Whitaker* (Director), Carrie Campana* (Costume Designer), Oriana Dentici (Lighting Designer), Elisabeth Heying (Set Designer), Shelby Westart (Stage Manager), Sarah Gise (Assistant Director), and Jamal Howard* (Production Manager). (*denotes company member)

The Redtwist Design Team has collaborated with the Daisy Fay artistic staff to optimize the process of having two shows running in rep on the same stage. The concurrent Redtwist production of Good People runs from June 27 through August 2.

New American Folk Theatre was founded in October 2011 by collaborators Anthony Whitaker and Jamal Howard. The company is dedicated to folk theatre, music, and stories that shine new light on the American tale. The Summer of Daisy Fay is NAFT's fifth full production. The company's first production was the world premiere of Two from the Trailer Court in the fall of 2012. The company continued its first season with the original musical The Marvelous Land of Oz. Both productions were written by Anthony Whitaker. In their most recent season (Season of the Witch), NAFT presented Dark of the Moon and the original musical Witches Among Us, by Scott Free and Rick Karlin. The company most recently participated in The Chicago Musical Theatre Festival with the original musical Dirty Girl: An Even Better Cinderella Story. NAFT is fiscally sponsored by Three Crazy Ladies, Inc.

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