Saint Sebastian Players Present EMPEROR OF THE MOON, Now thru 3/15

For something historical yet appealing to today's audiences, thanks to the universal language of comedy, the Saint Sebastian Players (SSP) present Emperor of the Moon by Aphra Behn today, February 19-March 15, 2015.

Aphra Behn, arguably the first professional English woman playwright, offers the love stories of Elaria and Bellemante, the mischievous daughter and niece, respectively, of the moonstruck Doctor Baliardo, an amateur moralist and astronomer. To get around the doctor's rules, the girls convince him their respective lovers are visitors from the moon. Behn's clever script pairs contemporary comic dialogue with classical commedia dell'arte antics. Emperor of the Moon was the last play produced before Behn's death in 1689 and is one of her most famous and successful works, filled with irresistible humor and vividly colorful and refreshing intellect.

Making her SSP directing debut for Emperor of the Moon is Barbara Anderson, who earned a master's degree in English from the University of Virginia, specializing in Medieval and Renaissance literature and history of drama. She then taught for 31 years at New Trier High School, directing their annual Shakespeare production for 20 of those years. Recent non-Equity theatre directing credits include, among others, A Man for All Seasons for Bowen Park Theatre Company, The Woman in Black for CenterStage Theatre and a staged reading of Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost for Clockwise Theatre.

The cast includes SSP company members Marshall Jacobson, Robert Kaercher, Todd Parkhurst, Eric S. Prahl, Martha Reddick and Renae Stone. Additional cast members include Alexandra T. Cross, Annelise Dickinson, Anthony Fiorelli, Gary Grenholm and Moses Kutz. The production team includes Rayn Emens as set designer, Brittany Eude as stage manager, SSP member Paula Kenar as costume designer, Ed Kuffert handling fight/dance choreography and music, Chazz Malott as lighting designer, Brandon Reed as sound designer, SSP member Pam Tierney as assistant costume designer, Eryn Walanka as projections designer and SSP members Jim Masini and Steven Walanka as co-producers.

SSP's 34th season concludes with The Sisters Rosensweig by Wendy Wasserstein April 24-May 17, 2015.

SSP began producing theatre in 1982 at its original home, the St. Sebastian parish, located at the corner of Halsted Street and Wellington Avenue on Chicago's North Side. When the parish closed in 1990, SSP relocated to its current home, St. Bonaventure, at 1625 W. Diversey. During its history, the company has produced original and previously produced dramas, comedies and musicals; original audience-participation mysteries for special events; and the Monologue Matchup Competition, as well as provided support for smaller Sebastian Studio Projects produced by company members. For a complete production history, visit saintsebastianplayers.org/Production_History_DULA.html

Saint Sebastian Players is participating in Chicago Theatre Week, presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago. As part of this celebration of Chicago theatre, SSP is offering $15 tickets to all its opening weekend performances (Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 19, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 22 at 2 p.m.). Theatre Week ticket buyers receive the following benefits at no additional cost: one concession item on February 19 and 21; a post-show "Meet the Cast" reception on February 20; and a post-show "Talk-Back" with the director and actors on February 22. To purchase Theatre Week tickets for Emperor of the Moon, visit http://bit.ly/1DpLUNu.

Emperor of the Moon by Aphra Behn runs February 20-March 15, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Performances take place at St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey, at Marshfield just west of Ashland, in Chicago. Free parking is available in two lots. Full-priced single tickets are $20, $15 for students with valid IDs and $10 for seniors. A preview performance on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m. is $15. Group rates also are available.

All programming is subject to change. For information, call 773-404-7922 or visit saintsebastianplayers.org.

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