PLOUGHED UNDER: AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK Opens 4/28 in Chicago
By: Kelsey Denette Apr. 15, 2013
The House Theatre of Chicago ventures into new territory, giving life to a concert-style telling of American folk and tall tales. Composer Kevin O'Donnell delves into our nation's early history illuminating stories often outside of the mainstream. The production begins performances April 19, 2013 at The Chopin Theatre (1543 W. Division St.) Ploughed Under: An American Songbook will open to the press on Sunday April 28 at 7:00pm and run through June 9.
ABOUT THE PLAY
Kevin O'Donnell's enveloping, rich musical scores for The House have propelled the Sparrow to flight, Valentine to victory, and Houdini to battle Death. His original compositions now come front-and-center as The House weaves American folk stories and tall tales into a rich tapestry of all-original music. This theatrical concert is carefully focused on vocal and rhythmic dynamics, echoing the clarity and power of African and Native American folk music. Each song is a story unto itself, some familiar, some forgotten, connecting our musical roots to the churning of our early history.
This is Company Member Kevin O'Donnell's first time leading a new work for The House. Pairing new compositions with familiar folk tales and tall tales, O'Donnell remarks, "The point for me is to find a way to be proud without ignoring the horrible truths and contradictions of our history. I want to be proud of Central Park's beauty without ignoring the fact that we took this land from the Native Americans. I want to be proud of California's beauty without forgetting that the people of Mexico were once the native people of that state's southern half. And jazz music, often called the only truly American art form, would simply not exist if we had never had a slave trade."
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
PLOUGHED UNDER: AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK is conceived and composed by Kevin O'Donnell who also directs the production. O'Donnell is the recipient of numerous Jeff Awards for his work as a composer, musician, and music director, including Valentine Victorious, The Sparrow, Rose and The Rime and The Nutcracker with The House.
A cast of six actor-musicians is complemented by a four-piece band. Familiar guest artists appear in the cast, including Abu Ansari (Death and Harry Houdini, Wilson Wants It All), Kevin Crowley (Wilson Wants It All), Carla Kessler (The Nutcracker, 2010), and Christine Mayland Perkins (The Nutcracker, 2012). The cast is completed with new voices Alejandro Cordoba and Genevieve Venjohnson. O'Donnell will lead the band each performance as percussionist along with Company Member Maria McCullough and her husband Yavi Pechardo. Matt Martin rounds out the band.
Company Member Collette Pollard transforms the Chopin Upstairs into a well-loved nightclub, complete with cafe tables and bar. Company Member Lee Keenan designs lights to shape the shared space between audience and actors. Costume Designer Mieka van der Ploeg takes on her first lead designer role after several shows as a design associate and Costume Manager for The House. Co-Sound Designers Joshua Horvath and Company Member Michael Griggs team up to give these new songs the best possible support, and Dramaturgs Dixie Belinda Uffelman and Chad Kenward (both Company Members) lend their love of history to the project.
Join The House for our theatrical concert, Ploughed Under: An American Songbook.
LISTING INFORMATION
PLOUGHED UNDER: AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Conceived and Composed by Kevin O'Donnell
April 19 - June 9, 2013
PREVIEWS: April 19 - 27
PRESS OPENING: SUNDAY APRIL 28, 2013 at 7:00pm
Chopin Theatre, 1543 W Division St., Chicago
RSVP to Chelsea@thehousetheatre.com
REGULAR RUN: May 2 - June 9
SHOWTIMES: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 7:00pm
LOCATION: The Chopin Theatre Upstairs Theatre (1543 W. Division St., Chicago, IL)
TICKETS: All tickets are $25 at www.thehousetheatre.com or by phone at 773.769.3832, $10 Student and Industry night-of tickets available at all performances. Tickets are now on sale.
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