SiNNERMAN Ensemble Presents IVANOV, Opening 10/1

SiNNERMAN Ensemble presents Anton Chekhov's "Ivanov," in a contemporary American language adaptation by Sheldon Patinkin, who also directs, featuring eight ensemble members in a passion-filled production of this classic story that swings wildly from comedy to tragedy. In a community obsessed with gossip and greed, the brilliant Ivanov has fallen out of love with his wife and his friends and bankrupted his land, only to be dangerously attracted to the beautiful young daughter of his creditor. Chekhov's most accessible play asks the burning question "How do you live without hope?" Patinkin is Chair Emeritus of the Theater Department of Columbia College, and Artistic Consultant to The Second City and Steppenwolf Theatre. "Ivanov" runs about two hours and thirty minutes with one intermission. SiNNERMAN, formed out of a Steppenwolf Theatre summer program, is spelled with all caps except for the "i", and is named after the Nina Simone song.

Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Parking lot at southwest corner of Belmont and Western
CTA buses #49 Belmont and #77 Western

Opens Thursday, October 1, 2009, 7:30 p.m. (media also invited to preview on
September 30 at 7:30 p.m.)
Closes Saturday, November 7, 2009
Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m.
Preview on September 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Daylight Saving ends November 1

TICKETS: 773-296-6024
Tickets also at www.viaducttheatre.com and www.goldstar.com

$20 general admission - please note that the Viaduct Box Office adds a
$1 phone and $4 on-line service charge to the below listed prices
$30 on Saturday, October 3 for Wine, Cheese and Chat Opening Celebration
$15 student/industry Thursdays and Sundays (with ID, door purchase only)
$15 special tickets (door purchase only) for these special shows:
Sunday, October 11 "I'd rather see a play than run 26 miles" Marathon Show
Halloween weekend, Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31
"Theatre is the original costume party" (costumes encouraged)
Pay-what-you-can for September 30th preview
Group rates for eight or more available - call 773-296-6024

SiNNERMAN's Second Annual SiNFEST, a benefit for the ensemble's 2009-2010, first three-show season, on Sunday, September 6, 2009, 7 p.m.-midnight, at Studio Be, 3110 N. Sheffield Ave. in Chicago (near Belmont El stop). A $20 donation per person includes refreshments, music, and raffle prizes (giving away massages, restaurant certificates, hotel rooms, etc.).

Sheldon Patinkin (Adaptor and Director), Jacqueline Penrod (Set Design), Frances Maggio (Costume Design), Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Design), Jill Bowarchuck (Lighting Design), Matt Cummings (Props Design), Brea Hayes (Assistant Director), Bill Paton (Stage Manager), nk [sic] Mooneyham (Photography, Graphic Design), with SiNNERMAN ensemble members Stefin Steberl (Production Manager), Ricky Lurie (Assistant Costume Design), Dominica Fisher and Levi Petree (Creative Consultants).

CAST: SiNNERMAN ensemble members Cyd Blakewell (Anna), Anna Carini (Zinaida),
Jeremy Fisher (Ivanov), Ryan Martin (Borkin), Calliope Porter (Babakina), Sue Redman (Sasha), Johnny Russell (Lvov), and Ebony Wimbs (Avdotya), with guest artists Sean Bolger (Shabyelski), Howie Johnson (Lyebedev), Brian Kavanaugh (Kosich), including Jason Boat, Lila Collins, Alexander Lane, Jeffrey Charles Marcus, Rakisha Pollard, Melinda Stefanski and Jay Worthington as ensemble.

In spring 2010, SiNNERMAN will present the world premiere of "Days of Late," written and directed by Braden Lubell. With comedy, eroticism and harrowing drama, "Days of Late" finds eight 20- and 30-somethings stumbling through the hardest times of their lives, where they bond in the need to believe that it's not too late to find happiness.

SiNNERMAN is supported in part by a grant from the Zeta Phi Eta Foundation of Emerson College, plus the annual support of individuals and businesses.

SiNNERMAN is an ensemble of 12 artists who support and challenge each
other. Working with a sense of play, a love for the collaborative process, and a belief in the power and importance of community, they create compelling and evocative theatre. Their inaugural production was "The Incredibly Famous Willy Rivers" in 2007, and received critical notice including "there is no question about their acting skills" (Chicago Tribune) and "impressive" (Time Out Chicago). Subsequently, their world-premiere production of "Sweet Confinement" in 2008 was lauded as "bold and provocative, glaringly intimate and urgently powerful theater" (Gay Chicago Magazine), and received four After Dark Awards (for New Work, Ensemble, Set and Direction). Their devised piece "Bible B-Sides" in March 2009 again garnered them critical praise. Ambitious graduates of the School at Steppenwolf, the members have worked at such Chicago theaters as Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Court, The House, Collaboraction, Remy Bumppo, Chicago Dramatists, Uma Productions, Signal, The Gift, The Second City, and numerous others. At Steppenwolf, the group did an exercise to the Nina Simone song Sinnerman, and were inspired by the singer's music, passion and strength, and by the beautiful moment shared, to choose their name.

 

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