Next Theatre to Open 33rd Season with COMPULSION, 10/10-11/17

Next Theatre Company announces the first production in their 33rd season, Rinne Groff's Compulsion, October 10 - November 17, directed by Devon de Mayo, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. Opening Night is Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are Saturday 4 p.m. performances October 27 and November 3, 10 and 17. Preview tickets are $25, Tickets are $30 - $40 with subscriber and student discounts available. Tickets may be purchased at nexttheatre.org or by calling 847-475-1875 x2.

It is 1951 and Sid Silver is on a mission to be the guardian of one of the most moving and provocative accounts of the 20th century. Inspired by the true story of Meyer Levin and his obsession with Anne Frank's diary, Compulsion uses complex and inventive storytelling, including puppetry, to explore the lengths that one man (Mick Weber*) will go to honor Anne Frank's powerful and enduring legacy. The San Francisco Chronicle declares Compulsion "a compelling foray along a thin line between idealism and fanaticism."

Devon de Mayo, director of the 2012 - 2013 season's hit production Everything Is Illuminated returns to bring this compelling and complex tale of passion and obsession to the Next stage.

Additional cast includes: Artistic Director Jenny Avery and John Byrnes.

The production team is made up of Grant Sabin (set design), Heather Gilbert (lighting design), Mieka Vanderploeg (costume design), Kevin O'Donnell (sound design/composition) and Eileen Rozycki (prop design).

*Indicates a member of Actors' Equity.