Oracle Productions kicks off Season 3 in Public Access Theatre with a death-defying production of Dario Fo's ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST, translated by Jon Laskin and Michael Aquilante and directed by Oracle Executive Producer Ben Fuchsen. Reopening the investigation into how audiences become political activists by laughing their asses off, this hilarious portrayal of authoritarian corruption opens tonight, January 19, 2013, and runs through March 2, 2013 at Oracle Theatre (3809 N Broadway in Chicago).
Performances are Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights at 8PM; Sundays at 7PM. Please note: there are no performances scheduled for February 8, 9, 10, and 11. Press are invited to attend on January 19, or any other night during the run.Admission to ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST is free in Oracle's Public Access Theatre. Seats are sponsored by The Forty 4, a growing population of individuals and local businesses committed to making free art for all. Reservations are highly recommended. Visit publicaccesstheatre.org for more information.
When ANARCHIST premiered in Italy in 1970, the Nobel Prize winning playwright (and performer) turned a real-life scandal into an infamous piece of agitprop art, and it became an international success. Its hilarious potency keeps this political satire popular to this day. After the bombing of the Piazza Fontana building in Milan, police arrested a known anarchist in suspicion of this terrorist activity. During his interrogation, the anarchist fell to his death from a 4th story window. Fo's play picks up after these events when a character called The Maniac invades the police station to catch these corrupt cops in a lie. Was the death "accidental" or was the poor lad defenestrated? Oracle's Production of ANARCHIST is complete with risky clown business, a few dance numbers (could be "Sabotage" by Beastie Boys? could be "Man in the Mirror" by The King of Pop?), and a dash of audience inclusion.
The cast features Oracle Company Member Rory Jobst, and includes Anya Clingman, Victoria Gilbert, Brian Hurst, Michael Menendez, and stars Holly Cerney as The Maniac.
The creative team for ANARCHIST includes: company member Joan Pritchard (Costume Design), Eleanor Kahn (Scenic Design), Liz Sutherland (Lighting Design), Adam Penly (Composer, Sound Design) (from local band The Laureates), and Evelyn DeHais (Graphic Design). Company member Laura K. Smith is Assistant Director, and Allison Goetzman is Stage Manager. Production Manager is Kathleen Dickinson, and the show is produced by Tony Santiago. Max Truax is Artistic Director of Oracle Theatre.
The Oracle Theatre is located at 3809 N Broadway in Chicago, Ill. Please note: No performances on February 8, 9, 10, 11. Press are invited to opening, or any other night during the run. Curtain Times: Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at 8PM; Sunday nights at 7PM. Admission: Free in Public Access Theatre. Reservations strongly recommended. Visit publicaccesstheatre.org for more information.
Under the Artistic Direction of Max Truax, the 2013 mainstage season will engage the community in social discourse to ask the question "How do we use art to make society better?" Season 3 in Public Access Theatre continues with a production of Bertolt Brecht's THE MOTHER, which pairs Truax's direction with original music by Jonathan Guillen - the team that brought Chicago the smash hit HAMLETMACHINE at Trap Door; and Oracle's 2013 finale is a visionary revival of WAITING FOR LEFTY by Clifford Odets, and directed by Matt Foss in his Chicago directing debut.
Oracle believes you can't live without art, so we are devoted to making sure everyone everywhere has a chance to experience the arts. By offering our art to the community for free, we foster creativity and bolster people's aspirations. We collaborate with other organizations to engage them in this mission. We are committed to spreading a love for art worldwide - and we want you to join us in our cause. Oracle is art for all.
In 2013, Oracle will produce 3 mainstage theatre pieces, 3 touring performances of The Radio Movement for senior living communities and hospitals, 4 B*Sides productions in collaboration with various artistic collectives, 2 short films, and several film festivals and filmmaker showcases.
Oracle has seen exponential growth through Public Access Theatre. Since 2010, the company has provided free art and performances to over 11,000 people, and the number keeps growing.
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