Sideshow Theatre to Present TYRANT, 5/24-6/29

Sideshow Theatre Company concludes its 2013-14 season with the world premiere of TYRANT by Artistic Associate Kathleen Akerley, co-directed by Kathleen Akerley and Ensemble Member Megan A. Smith, playing May 24 - June 29, 2014 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets for TYRANT are available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling 773-975-8150. The press opening is Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 pm.

TYRANT features Ensemble Members Matt Fletcher and Karie Miller with Andy Lutz, Clare O'Connor and Paige Smith.

One year from right now, Congress solves the homeless problem. The recently passed Rectification Act gives disenfranchised citizens new lives as trained workers in the homes of the wealthy. But they are also forbidden from leaving the program to find a better future. Twenty years later, Leon and Regina are hired to work for well-meaning philanthropist Martin, who has become interested in new fields of psychiatric research and invites his workers to participate. But a simple gift begins a powerful series of events that will test the principles of the entire household. Searing questions of morality, possession and the crimes of the well-intentioned boil to the surface in this tense and provocative world premiere. Society has changed for the better, but how has it changed all of us?

"When we produced Kathleen Akerley's Theories of the Sun a few years ago, we fell in love with her fierce intelligence, wit and fearlessness. Sideshow has been developing this provocative world premiere with Kathleen for the last year, and we are excited to finally share it with Chicago," says Sideshow Artistic Director Jonathan L. Green.

The production team for TYRANT includes: John Wilson (scenic designer), Angela Enos (costume designer), Jordan Kardasz* (lighting designer), Chris LaPorte* (sound designer), Arianna Soloway (properties coordinator) and Aaron Shapiro (production manager). *Sideshow Artistic Associates