Photos: First Look at the Chicago Premiere of AFTER THE BLAST at Broken Nose Theatre

Broken Nose Theatre, one of Chicago's premier Pay-What-You-Can theatre companies, is continuing its tenth season with the Chicago premiere of Zoe Kazan's smart and incisive sci-fi drama After The Blast, directed by ensemble member JD Caudill*. The production will play May 13 - June 11, 2022 at BNT's resident home, The Den Theatre (2A), 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are currently available at brokennosetheatre.com and thedentheatre.com. Tickets for all Broken Nose Theatre performances are "Pay-What-You-Can," allowing patrons to set their own price. The press performance is Sunday, May 15 at 3 pm.

Check out photos below!

The cast includes ensemble members Kim Boler*, Teresa Kuruvilla* and Arielle Leverett* with Ruben Carrazana, David W. Lipschutz and Ana Ortiz-Monasterio Draa.

Generations after a global disaster has driven humankind into underground cities, partners Anna and Oliver are hoping to have a child - even though Anna's struggles with depression may prevent them from gaining the government approval needed to become parents. But when Oliver brings home a small robot - a new companion they name "Arthur" - their lives are changed forever. Zoe Kazan's smart and incisive play asks, "When the future seems bleak, how do we form bonds and build lives in the face of uncertainty?"

BNT Artistic Director E.M. Davis* and Managing Director Rose Hamill* comment, "Our ensemble immediately took to this story when we read it two years ago - but after everything we've all been through in that intervening time, what playwright Zoe Kazan has to say about isolation, connection through technology, climate change and pursuing parenthood in an uncertain future has only deepened our appreciation for this excellent play. Bringing puppetry to the BNT stage for the very first time to depict our protagonist's robotic companion, ensemble member JD Caudill and the fantastic production team will bring to life this story that begs the question, 'When outside circumstances have driven us underground and apart, how far will we go to maintain the well-being of our closest loved ones?'"

The production team includes Therese Ritchie* (scenic designer), Jessica Van Winkle (costume designer), Cat Davis* (lighting designer), Rae Segbawu (sound designer), Andrew "AJ" Morley (props designer), Jabberwocky Marionettes (puppet designer), Jennifer L. Mickleson (intimacy designer) Rose Hamill* (production manager), Evan Sposato (technical director), Adriana Rodriguez (stage manager) and Jacob R. Shaffer (assistant stage manager).

COVID guidelines: In the interest of keeping patrons and staff safe, and in accordance with the League of Chicago Theatres, The Den will continue to require proof of vaccination to attend any event for the indefinite future. While masking is no longer required, The Den strongly encourages patrons to continue wearing a mask when not eating or drinking. For the most current information on The Den's COVID guidelines, visit thedentheatre.com/covid19-policy.

*Denotes Broken Nose Theatre ensemble members

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