Promethean Announces Cast of ARCADIA

Casting has been announced for Promethean Theatre Ensemble's 13th season opener - Tom Stoppard's ARCADIA. Stoppard's play - which the Royal Institution of Great Britain named one of the best science-related works ever written - follows two groups of people who were residents and guests of an English country house some 200 years apart. The action alternates between the early 19th Century (1809 and 1812) and the present-day, as the play's modern characters explore the actions of the earlier-era characters to improve their understanding of the present. One of the play's many themes is that good ideas, though they may become lost for a time, will eventually resurface. ARCADIA explores the nature of truth and time, the difference between classical and romantic temperaments, and the disruptive influence of sex on our life orbits- the one law of attraction that Isaac Newton forgot. ARCADIA will be directed by Ted Hoerl, the longtime Chicago actor and director who recently directed Terrence McNally's LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART for Eclipse Theatre Company. It will open on November 19, 2018 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Hoerl's cast will include several of the company's ensemble members as well as guest artists. Meghann Tabor* (THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT for PTE) has been cast as Thomasina Coverly, a precocious 13-year-old of 1809 who has developed prescient theories about mathematics and physics. Chris Woolsey (a member of iO's Harold team, "State Schramps") will play Thomasina's tutor Septimus Hodge. Michael Reyes (NEVERWHERE for Lifeline) will be Lord Chater, an inferior poet whose romantic jealousy creates friction among the guests and residents of the manor. Megan DeLay* (NIGHTMARES AND NIGHTCAPS for Black Button Eyes) will be the lady of the manor, Lady Croom. Lady Croom's brother Captain Brice, who falls in love with Chater's wife, will be played by Chris Smith (TWELFTH NIGHT with Midsommer Flight). The gardener Noakes, also romantically involved with Lady Chater, will be played by Nicole Hand.* Appearing as Croom's butler Jellaby will be Brian J. Hurst* (THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT for PTE). Thomasina's younger brother Augustus will be played by Michael Brigance (SPEECH AND DEBATE for Brown Paper Box Co.).

Among the cast of characters in the present-day scenes is Hannah Jarvis, a historian researching the house and the events that occurred within it during the 19th Century. Hannah will be played by Cameron Feagin* (LONDON ASSURANCE, City Lit Theatre). Chloe Coverly, an 18-year-old descendant of the family we see in 1809, will be played by Heather Smith* (FROST/NIXON, Redtwist). Scot West (MEN SHOULD WEEP, Griffin Theatre) will be Bernard Nightingale, a present-day University professor researching the 19th Century events that occurred at the manor. PTE member Brendan Hutt* (THE LIAR for PTE) will play Valentine, Chloe's older brother and Michael Brigance will play the younger brother Gus.

The production team will include Carrie Campana** (costume designer), Kevin Hagan (set and lighting designer), Sebby Woldt (sound designer), Catherine Gillespie** (dialect coach), Rachel Watson** (properties designer), Jennifer Mickelson (intimacy designer), Alexa Berkowitz* (stage manager) and Jeremiah Barr* (production manager).


*PTE Ensemble Member
**PTE Artistic Associate

Performances will begin with previews November 16-18. The press opening will be Monday, November 19 at 8 pm.

The company will host its annual Season Kickoff Party on Sunday October 7, 2018 at 7 pm in the upstairs lobby of the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Tickets will be $15 and will include hors d-oeuvres, one drink ticket, one raffle ticket, and scenes from each play in the season. Tickets for the Kickoff Party will be available soon at www.prometheantheatre.org.

Image: Top row left-right: Michael Brigance, Megan DeLay, Cameron Feagin, Nicole Hand
Second row: Brian J. Hurst, Brendan Hutt, Michael Reyes, Chris Smith
Bottom row: Heather Smith, Meghann Tabor, Scot West, Chris Woolsey

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