Photo Flash: First Look at ACT(S) OF GOD at Lookingglass Theatre

Lookingglass Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Act(s) of God, by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy, directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Act(s) of God runs February 13-April 7, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. The press performances are February 22 and February 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Three siblings, two parents, and one very unexpected dinner guest. As a family gathers for an overdue dinner, a mysterious envelope arrives with astonishing news. They soon find themselves scrambling to welcome a visitor of cosmic proportion. Absurdity reigns as ancient fissures open wide, long-held certainties crumble, and sh*t gets real. Will this nuclear family explode? Lookingglass Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy unleashes this existential dark comedy, directed by Artistic Director Heidi Stillman (Cascabel, Hard Times).

"The force, "God," acts in the play much as in life: invisibly, mysteriously. And so the fun of it all has to do with how God (whether externalized, internalized, or altogether put aside) works on the family-how it brings them together or pulls them apart...much as in life," notes playwright Kareem Bandealy.

"At its core, this is a dark comedy about family and how we navigate these deep and at times tricky relationships when our views don't align. This show is about so much more than whether or not you believe; it's about our most basic connections to one another, and Kareem's sharp writing and wit gives us the perfect access point to a subject that has made more than one family dinner take a turn toward awkward," comments director Heidi Stillman.

Act(s) of God is recommended for ages 13+

The cast of Act(s) of God features Lookingglass Artistic Associates Walter Briggs (Youngest) and Anthony Irons (Middle), with Rom Barkhordar (Father), Shannon Cochran (Mother), Emjoy Gavino (Fiancée) and Kristina Valada-Viars (Eldest).

The creative team includes Artistic Associate Brian Sidney Bembridge (scenic and lighting designer), Ensemble Member Mara Blumenfeld (costume designer), Artistic Associate Rick Sims (sound designer and co-composer), Amanda Dehnert (co-composer and arranger), Konstantin Jace (co-composer), Ensemble Member Tracy Walsh (choreographer), Amanda Herrmann (properties designer), Matt Hawkins (fight choreographer), and Tess Golden (stage manager).

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren

To post a comment, you must register and login.