Profiles Theatre Announces Extension for ASSISTED LIVING

Profiles Theatre announces the third and final extension for their hit world premiere of Assisted Living by Deirdre O'Connor, directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The critically acclaimed production has been extended an additional four weeks, through March 18, 2012, at Profiles alternate venue The Second Stage, 3408 N. Sheffield in Chicago.

Anne Kelly needs help. She's pushing 40 and still lives with her mother. Her deadbeat brother won't even return her calls and the ancient family home seems to be falling down around her. When Levi, a sweet but dim-witted younger man, comes into her life, Anne begins to see the upside of not always being the grown up.

Assisted Living makes its world premiere with Profiles Theatre, their second production by Deirdre O'Connor follows last season's long-running hit Jailbait. Assisted Living opened at Profiles' Second Stage Theatre in November 2011 and has been playing to sold out houses. The production received rave critical reviews from Chicago's top critics. Original cast members continuing in their roles including guest artists Shannon Hollander, Jordan Stacey and Stacy Stoltz. John Byrnes (Waiting For Lefty with American Blues, This with Theater Wit) joins the cast as Jimmy.

Ticket prices: Thursdays are $35, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $40; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.

Box Office: Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org
or call (773) 549-1815

The designers are David Ferguson (set), Bekki Lambrecht (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound and original music), Erica Griese (costumes) and the stage manager is Fernando Alvarez.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

DEIRDRE O'CONNOR (Playwright) developed ASSISTED LIVING at the Lark Play Development Center where she was a 2008-2009 Lark Playwrights Workshop Fellow. Most recently, she wrote the script for "Pearl" one of the short films in Lifetime's FIVE, an anthology of films exploring the impact of breast cancer on people's lives. Deirdre was a 2008 Cherry Lane Mentor Project Fellow mentored by Michael Weller in the development of her hit play, JAILBAIT. In March 2009, it received its World premiere as the inaugural production for Cherry Lane's newest venue - the Cherry Pit Theatre. Deirdre's other plays include HERO, performed at Naked Angels as part of Armed and Naked in America and THE DEATH OF MAY MCALLISTER at Northeastern University. Other works that premiered with Naked Angels include PENICILLIN, WHITE ANGELS and WEDNESDAY. Her play, THE ATTIC, premiered at St Ann's Warehouse as part of their Labapalooza festival of new plays. Deirdre is a graduate of Hampshire College, and Columbia University 's MFA Playwriting program where she was the recipient of the John Golden Playwriting Award. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her writing on "The Electric Company" on PBS. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, director Dave Dalton and their son, Dashiell.

JOE JAHRAUS (Director) is the founder and Artistic Director of Profiles Theatre. He most recently directed Profiles' Midwest premiere of FIFTY WORDS by Michael Weller. Previously, he directed the World premiere of KID SISTER by Will Kern, the Midwest premieres of JAILBAIT by Deirdre O'Connor, THE MERCY SEAT by Neil LaBute, GREAT FALLS by Lee Blessing and THE THUGS by Adam Bock. Joe also directed the Midwest premieres of Neil LaBute's IN A DARK DARK HOUSE, SOME GIRL(S) and FAT PIG, for which he received a Jeff Award Nomination for Outstanding Director. Other directing credits for Profiles include the American premiere of APPLE by Vern Thiessen, the award-winning Midwest premiere of BLACKBIRD by Adam Rapp, BABYLON GARDENS by Timothy Mason, THE WATER ENGINE and SEXUAL PERVERSITY IN CHICAGO by David Mamet, and the award-winning Midwest premiere of CARNAL KNOWLEDGE by Jules Fieffer, among others.

John ByrneS (Jimmy) makes his Profiles debut with ASSISTED LIVING. Recent Chicago credits include SEASON'S GREETINGS at Northlight, WAITING FOR LEFTY for American Blues Theater, THIS with Theater Wit, PORT at Griffin Theatre, THIEVES LIKE US with House Theater, ALL MY SONS at Timeline and THE OVERWHELMING at Next Theatre. John is a company member of The Hypocrites where some favorite credits include THE HAIRY APE, OUR TOWN, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, 4.48 PSYCHOSIS, MACHINAL and ARCADIA. Regional credits include work with Montana Shakespeare, the Huntington Theatre, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, New Rep and the Vineyard Playhouse. John also appeared in numerous television and radio commercials.

SHANNON HOLLANDER (Christina) was last seen touring Montana as Viola in Montana Shakespeare in the Parks' production of TWELFTH NIGHT. Chicago credits include: STREET SCENE with National Pastime Theatre, AND TIME RUNS ON with Shapeshifters, THE BASTARDS OF YOUNG with Tympanic Theatre, and HESPERIA with Hangar 9 Theatre. She can next be seen in the independent films The WHITE BOX and THE WOMAN A THE WINDOW. Shannon is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf and is represented by Paonessa Talent.
JORDAN STACEY (Levi) was most recently he was seen as Lysander in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with LaSalle Street Theater as well as their productions of MEASURE FOR MEASURE and THE TEMPEST. Previous Chicago credits include THE BUZZ THAT IS THE BUZZ, written and directed by Beau O'Reilly for the Curious Theatre Branch and SIGN OF RAIN with Whiskey Rebellion at Prop Thtr. Jordan is a graduate of Cornell College's theater program where he performed in DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, ARABIAN NIGHTS, and as Brazilian starfish musician in emerging playwright Jen Silverman's AKARUI. Jordan has also appeared in the short films BEFORE I MET YOU, GADFLY, and NIGHTWALKER.

STACY STOLTZ (Anne) most recently she played Roxanne in CYRANO with the House Theatre of Chicago. She also performed in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at Court Theatre and she played Stella in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Writers' Theatre, which earned her an Equity Jeff Nomination. Stacy is a company member with The Hypocrites and The House and some of her favorite shows with them include: OEDIPUS, OUR TOWN, MISS JULIE, 4.48 PSYCHOSIS, HATFIELD AND MCCOY, and DAVE DAVINCI SAVES THE UNIVERSE. She was seen Off – Broadway in THE FOURTH GRADERS PRESENT AN UNNAMED LOVE SUICIDE and her TV credit is CHICAGO CODE.

Profiles Theatre, a not-for-profit professional theatre company founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni, brings new works to Chicago that illuminate the determination and resiliency of the human spirit. The company produces World, US and Midwest premieres by new playwrights, as well as established writers whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. Profiles, particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language, takes pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk. Profiles Theatre commits to producing plays that tell a story in a captivating way with productions that complement the ensemble and speak to its audience.

 

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