Stephen Karam's 'Speech and Debate' April 17 @ ATC

American Theater Company (ATC) announces a change to the final production of the 2007-2008 Season. Garson Kanin's Born Yesterday will be replaced by the Midwest Premiere of Speech and Debate by Stephen Karam. The production, directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli, will run April 17 - May 11, 2008 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL.

Currently in its second extension at NY's Roundabout Theatre, this quick-witted and timely comedy tells the story of three misfits who team up to expose their teacher's online secrets while forming their high school's first Speech and Debate club. With a script by columbinus co-writer Stephen Karam, Artistic Director PJ Paparelli makes his Chicago and ATC directorial debut with this hysterical yet touching tale of three teens' quest for fame and free speech.

"ATC is honored to be the first theatre in America to produce Stephen Karam's Speech and Debate outside of New York. Stephen and I spent four years together creating columbinus and we're thrilled to be working together again," says Artistic Director PJ Paparelli. "In contrast to columbinus, Speech and Debate is a comic exploration of the adolescent world. It is witty, well-considered, uniquely human, and provides a rare opportunity for adults to be swept up into the complex world of today's teens."

Speech and Debate features Stephen Grush (Solomon), Patrick Andrews (Howie), Sadieh Rifai (Diwata) and Cheryl Graeff (Teacher/Reporter).

The designers are Keith Pitts (Set Designer), Myron Elliott (Costumes), Charles Cooper (Lighting Designer), Lindsay Jones and Scotty Iseri (Sound Designers), Chelsea Meyers (Props). Dana Nestrick is Stage Manager. Video installations by Marty Higginbotham and Bobby Richards.

Stephen Karam (playwright) Original plays include: columbinus (2006 Helen Hayes nomination), Speech & Debate, which premiered in Summer 2006 at Brown/Trinity Playwrights Rep, Readings/Workshops of new plays at The Kennedy Center, Stark Raving Theatre, Arena Stage, Blank Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, Perseverance Theatre, and NY Music Theatre Festival. Awards include: NYMF Director's Choice Award, Kennedy Center's ACTF Award for Musical Theatre, and Young Playwrights Inc. National Playwriting Competition. Karam is a graduate of Brown University.

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