Oracle Presents THE MAIDS by Genet And a B-Sides FREAK SHOW

Oracle Productions has announced the opening of Jean Genet's THE MAIDS, translated by Bernard Frechtman, directed by Executive Producer Ben Fuchsen. THE MAIDS opens March 10, 2012, and runs through April 21. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM; no performances on Sundays. 

The following Friday, The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society (in association with Oracle) opens a B-Sides run of its inaugural FREAK SHOW. Each week, Chicago's only troupe of lady-clowns will present three (or more) attractions in a half-hour show that will amuse, amaze, and abhor audiences. The H&NAS FREAK SHOW opens Friday, March 16, 2012 and runs through April 20. Performances are Fridays at 10PM, immediately following (and complementing) THE MAIDS. Press are invited to opening night, and any performance during the run.

Both THE MAIDS and FREAK SHOW are presented to the community free of charge through Oracle's Public Access Theatre. There is no charge for admission to any Oracle event. Seats are sponsored, in part, by members of Oracle's monthly sponsorship program, the forty4. Reservations are strongly recommended. Visit oracletheatre.org to request seats.

THE MAIDS on Oracle's Mainstage
Inspired by the notorious 1933 murder when the Papin sisters brutally killed their employer and her daughter, Jean Genet's famous depiction of bourgeois society and its abject servants is a portrait of the struggle for power - what it means to possess it and what it means to lack it. When the Madame is away, her two maids plot the demise and murder of their beautiful boss by role-playing the sadomasochistic scenario over and over again. Taking turns imitating their Madame, as well as each other, sisters Claire and Solange pick at one another maliciously and push each other to a blood-lusting edge. On this night, they are determined to overthrow their sovereign once and for all. When the Madame returns, they must find the courage to strike, or face the consequences of their delusional mistakes.

Genet creates a reality in which every moment and every character could be false. Fuchsen's vision will define the moments of clarity in which truth seeps to the surface. As the characters grapple with their psychosis and shed their protective masks, their ugliness will reveal a language for love that can conquer all.

Genet's three-person cast features company members Rich Logan as Solange and Jack Lewis as Claire. Casting male actors in the roles of the two maids is not new; in his younger years, Genet himself commented that if he wrote a play with women characters, he would insist that men (adolescent boys, even) play the parts. Many productions around the world have made this choice as well. In Fuchsen's production, however, these talented, mature actors will face a formidable opponent - actress Sasha Grishkov in the role of the Madame. Ms. Grishkov makes her Oracle debut in this titular role. Fuchsen comments, "Each character's struggle with identity is the deepest conflict embedded in Genet's drama. The maids seek to become the Madame by attempting a complete revolt, a murder. With two men playing the maids, the audience can see it is impossible for them to achieve their goal: they will never truly become female, in the likeness of the actress playing the Madame. Their delusions, however, are what truly change them, and the audience gets to explore this psychosis with us."

The design team features Artistic Director Max Truax as set designer, and Company Member Joan Pritchard as Costume Designer. Justin Snyder is Technical Director. Elizabeth Lammer makes her Chicago debut as Lighting Designer. Zsofia Otvos is Makeup Artist. Allison Goetzman is Stage Manager, and Amy Hopkins is Production Manager. Terri Falvey is Graphic Designer. Oracle Theatre Artistic Director is Max Truax. Oracle Productions Executive Producer is Ben Fuchsen.

The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society Freak Show in Oracle B-Sides
After years spent under the boardwalks of America and intensive study amongst circus folk of all kinds, The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society presents (for the enjoyment of the general populace) its inaugural FREAK SHOW. Each week, Chicago's only troupe of lady-clowns will present three (or more) attractions in a half-hour show that gives audiences exclusive access to the weird and wonderful sides of subjects as all-encompassing and wide-ranging as Science, Danger, and Competition. Patrons will be treated to things truly freaky, macabre, excessive, and down-right unbelievable, all through the lens of high-energy games, real tasks, and general buffoonery.

Every Friday, the Society will tackle a new theme, which means the show itself is different every week. 

The H&NAS FREAK SHOW is presented through Oracle B-Sides, a department of Oracle Productions that develops alternative programming to showcase the talents of a diverse group of artists. Managed by Oracle's Director of Programming, David Boren, Oracle B-Sides is designed to extend the resources and opportunities of Public Access Theatre beyond the mainstage, and to increase the offerings of free art to the community.

Public Access Theatre Means Art for All
Continuing Season 2 of Public Access Theatre, Oracle is excited to offer amazing performances, challenging artistic experiences, and, well, clowns to everyone in the city completely free of charge. Join them in their storefront theatre at 3809 N. Broadway in Chicago, and find out why art is necessary to live a full life.

THE MAIDS
by Jean Genet
translated by Bernard Frechtman
directed by Ben Fuchsen
Opens March 10
Through April 21
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM
Press are invited to opening night, and any subsequent performance during the first half of the run.

Oracle B-Sides presents
The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society Freak Show
by The Harlotry & Necromancy Appreciation Society
in association with Oracle Productions
Opens March 16
Through April 20
Fridays at 10PM, immediately followingTHE MAIDS.
Press are invited to opening night, and any performance during the run.

Both THE MAIDS and FREAK SHOW are presented to the community free of charge through Oracle's Public Access Theatre. There is no charge for admission to any Oracle event. Seats are sponsored, in part, by members of Oracle's monthly sponsorship program, the forty4. Reservations are strongly recommended. Visit oracletheatre.org to request seats.

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