Raven Theatre Presents Dating Walter Dante 2/12

Raven Theatre is set to present the world premiere of Chicago playwright, Jon Steinhagen's play, Dating Walter Dante, directed by Cody Estle. Opening is Sunday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception following in Raven’s lobby. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

His first wife may or may not have died accidentally. His second wife is missing. The police watch him around the clock. Walter Dante isn't exactly a prize catch. Which is why Laura Bakersfield shocks her friends when they find out she's dating Walter Dante! A dark and delicious comedy developed through Raven’s own Workshop Series.

Director, Cody Estle, states, "Set in present day, Dating Walter Dante gives the feeling of a 1940's film noir mystery while the characters tackle present day subjects. Dating Walter Dante has something for everyone: it is a comedy, a love story, a mystery and a drama. Playwright Jon Steinhagen has created a mysterious piece that delivers the facts of the story and masterfully keeps you guessing."

Jon Steinhagen is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, winner of the Julie Harris Playwriting Award, and finalist for the inaugural Noël Coward Award. Recent productions of his plays include Blizzard '67 (Chicago Dramatists), Aces (Signal), Something More Comfortable (Syracuse University), Vexations (Playlab NYC/NY Fringe), and The Analytical Engine (Circle). His musicals include The Teapot Scandals, Emma & Company, Inferno Beach, and People Like Us. He has appeared as an actor in many Chicago productions, most recently in Bus Stop at Raven; he has a long history as musical director of over two dozen Chicago musicals. He has received four Jeff Awards and five nominations in various categories and is a company member at Signal Ensemble Theatre, an artistic associate at Porchlight, and a member of the Dramatist’s Guild.

Director Cody Estle is making his Raven Theatre directing debut. Other directing credits include The Tooth of Crime (City Wind Theatre), The Teacher (The Neapolitans). Assistant Directing credits include Season's Greetings (Northlight Theatre, director BJ Jones), The Detective's Wife (Writers’ Theatre, director Gary Griffin), The Cherry Orchard (Strawdog Theatre, director Kimberly Senior), In Loco Parentis (Next Theatre, director Joanie Schultz) and Wreckage (Caffeine Theatre, director Joanie Schultz). He is a proud graduate of Columbia College Chicago. Upcoming work includes assisting Charlie Newell’s production of Angels in America at Court Theatre.

The cast of Dating Walter Dante includes: Jason Huysman (Walter Dante) who was seen in Raven Theatre’s productions of The Cherry Orchard, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Death of a Salesman; Kristin Collins (Laura Bakersfield) who makes her Raven debut and has performed with The Artistic Home, Profiles Theatre, LiveWire Chicago, Jackalope Theatre and Metropolis Performing Arts Center; Michael Boone (Harper Liff) who was recently seen on Raven’s stage in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Brigitte Ditmars (Suzanne Liff) who was seen in Raven's production of The Odd Couple; Scott Allen Luke (Sam Brunner) who has performed with Northlight Theatre, Next Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, and Light Opera Works; Stacie Barra (Ellen) who makes her Raven debut and has performed with Strangeloop Theatre, The Factory, Griffin and Lifeline Theatre and Antoine Pierre Whitfield (Russell Gibbs) who was recently seen in Raven's productions of Bus Stop and Radio Golf.

The Dating Walter Dante staff includes: Tyler Christie (Asst. Director), Jacob Watson (Set Designer), Greg Hoffman (Lighting Designer), Frances Maggio (Costume Designer), Amanda Rozmiarek (Technical Director), Marie C. Quinn (Sound Designer), Jeff Shields (Properties Designer), and Rachel C. Boylan (Asst. Costume Designer). Claire E. Diedrich serves as stage manager.

About "Out at Raven"
Raven Theatre continues to reach out to the LGBTQ community through their event series, "Out at Raven". Now in its second year, this series shows Raven's appreciation of and commitment to the LGBTQ community, providing an opportunity to mingle and network during one Friday night performance of each mainstage show. Tickets for each “Out at Raven” performance include a post-show wine and appetizer reception and discussion with the cast and director.

Raven Theatre
Founded in 1983, Raven Theatre is dedicated to breathing new life into American classics and exploring other works that illuminate the American experience, with occasional forays into world classics. In addition to its regular season, Raven produces a Workshop Series of new and experimental productions, as well as Take Flight, an Educational Outreach program, including teaching partnerships with various Chicago Public Schools, summer youth classes and original children’s shows performed at Raven Theatre.

Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, Polk Bros. Foundation, Yates-Feldman Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Alphawood Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Saints, S & C Electric Company, City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Gould & Ratner LLP, The Kinder Morgan Foundation, The Allstate Foundation and The Chicago Community Foundation.

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