After their groundbreaking d/Deaf/hearing production R+J: The Vineyard, Red Theater Chicago announces its upcoming production of Little Red Cyrano - an apocalyptic clown comedy for all audiences - featuring d/Deaf talent by Aaron Sawyer, directed by Michael J. Stark and Aaron Sawyer.
Performances run December 1, 2017 to January 7, 2018 at Strawdog Theatre (1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613).
Combining the courtships in Cyrano de Bergerac with the violent ending of Red Riding Hood, Little Red Cyrano will mix whip smart spoken dialogue, swashbuckling, and romance.
With a cast comprised of trained clowns and d/Deaf actors, Little Red Cyrano uniquely utilizes the visual vernacular of American Sign Language in a clown-based performance.
Little Red Cyrano runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8PM, and Sundays at 4 and 8PM December 1, 2017 through January 7, 2018. There are no performances December 18-27, 2017. Performances resume December 28, no Sunday performance on December 31. Captions will be provided December 14 at 8PM. A touch tour will be offered on December 17 at 4PM.
Tickets go on sale online November 1 at redtheater.org. Press Opening is December 1 at 8PM. Previews are November 28-30 at 8PM. Little Red Cyrano will be performed at Strawdog Theatre's new home at 1802 W Berenice Ave, Chicago, IL 60613. The theater is fully accessible. Public transportation is available via the Irving Park Brown Line train or the #80 Irving Par bus: Limited street parking is also available.
The cast features Benjamin Ponce (CYRANO), Dari Simone* (RED), Dave Honigman (Christian), Brendan Connelly* (POET/CHRISTIAN UNDERSTUDY), McKenna Liesman^ (POET/RED UNDERSTUDY) Michele Stine (POET), Jenni Hadley (POET), Les Rorick (POET), Christopher Paul Mueller^ (WOODSMAN), and Michael J. Stark* (GRANDMOTHER). Additional understudies include Jean Carlos Claudio and Madeline McKelvey*.
The artistic team includes Juan Bernal*^ (Producer), Aaron Sawyer^ (Producer, Co-director), Michael J. Stark* (Co-director),Scott Ray Merchant (Assistant Director), Cara Beth Heath^ (Dramaturg), Kevin Rolfs (Scenic & Prop Design), Stefanie Johnsen (Costume Design), Sarah D. Espinoza^ (Sound Design),Michael Commendatore (Projection Design), Charles Blunt^ (Lighting Design), Becca Venable^ (Technical Director), Mary Kate Ashe (Stage Manager), Julissa Contreras* (Assistant Stage Manager),and Rachel Paige*^ (Casting Coordinator).
Red Theater Chicago, now in its 6th Season, is committed to honoring all audiences by asking dangerous questions through accessible performances that broaden perspectives and inspire dialogue.
*indicates a person who identifies as d/Deaf
^Denotes Red Theatre Company Member
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