Strawdog Announces 2013-14 Season: CONVERSATIONS ON A HOMECOMING, GREAT EXPECTATIONS & More!

Strawdog Theatre Company and Interim Artistic Director Hank Boland are proud to announce their 2013 - 2014 season. The 26th Strawdog season includes Conversations on a Homecoming by Tom Murphy, August 23 - September 28, directed by Jonathan Berry; Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Gale Childs Daly, November 8 - December 13. 2014, directed by Jason Gerace and Miss Marx: or the Involuntary Side Effect of Living by Phillip Dawkins, February 24 - March 29, 2014 directed by Megan Shuchman. These productions, plus ongoing late night offerings, are presented at Strawdog's space in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, 3829 N. Broadway Street.

For Subscriptions, Single Tickets, and Group Sales, please contact Strawdog Theatre's Box Office at 773.528.9696.

Dates, times and descriptions for Strawdog's 2013 - 2014 season:

Conversations on a Homecoming

By Tom Murphy
Directed by Jonathan Berry
August 26 - September 28
Previews: Friday, Aug. 16 and Aug. 23, Saturday, Aug. 17 and Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25
Opening Night: Monday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.
Regular Schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Acclaimed Director Jonathan Berry makes his Strawdog debut at the helm of Tom Murphy's 1985 Irish classic. After 10 years chasing his dreams in America, Michael returns home to Galway to reconnect with old friends and rekindle old flames. However, over the course of the evening, and the downing of many pints at the White House Pub, his romanticism of the past collides with the realities of a world that has abandoned the idealism of his youth and Michael must now face what he has become.

Tom Murphy, considered by many to rival Brian Friel as Ireland's greatest living playwright, has been largely undiscovered in America. The Druid Theatre, from Murphy's hometown of Galway, presented three of his plays at the Lincoln Center Festival in 2012 introducing his work to American audiences to wide critical acclaim. His work spans from 1961's Whistle In The Dark to the present and he was recently honored by the Dublin's Abbey Theatre with a six-play showcase season of his work.

The Phone Book
Strawdog's Annual Fundraiser
Monday, October 7, 2013

The fifth anniversary of this unique fundraiser features Strawdog Theatre Ensemble members as well as celebrity guests performing original pieces that run the gamut from music, improv, essay, performance art and the unexpected. Tickets are $100 and include entertainment, a silent auction, access to a full bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Great Expectations

By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Gale Childs Daly
Directed by Jason Gerace
November 11 - December 13
Previews: Friday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, Saturday, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 and Sunday, Nov. 10
Opening Night: Monday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m.
Regular Schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Strawdog brings this classic to life in a vivid and daring adaptation directed by Jason Gerace. A cast of six quick-change their way through nearly 40 characters in this beautiful, touching, and highly theatrical adventure. An orphan is plucked from poverty and thrust into the upper class, his benefactor's identity and motives hidden by lawyers and other minions. As Pip tries to find love and a living in his radically changed circumstances, he untangles a fascinating web of secret identities and hidden pasts.

Miss Marx: or the Involuntary Side Effect of Living

By Phillip Dawkins
Directed by Megan Shuchman
WORLD PREMIERE
February 24, 2014 - March 29, 2014
Previews: Friday, Feb. 14, 2014 and Feb. 21, 2014, Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 and Feb. 22, 2014 and Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014
Opening Night: Monday, Feb. 24, 2014 at 8 p.m.
Regular Schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Strawdog kicks off the new year with a world premiere by one of Chicago's hottest playwrights. Miss Marx: or the Involuntary Side Effect of Living examines Eleanor Marx, the youngest daughter of Karl Marx and the flag-bearer to her father's legacy. For Eleanor, fighting social and sexual injustice in Victorian England comes easily on the soapbox, but it's much harder in the bedroom. When her tumultuous common- law marriage to fellow socialist Edward Aveling begins to disintegrate, she turns to loved ones for solace. But how does one balance existence as a woman as well as an international movement?

The current Strawdog ensemble includes Jenny Avery, Hank Boland, Michael Dailey, Anita Deely, Paul Fagen, John Ferrick, Misha Fiskel, Kyle Gibson, Sarah Goeden, Aly Greaves Amidei, Carmine Grisolia, Kyle Hamman, Tom Hickey, Shannon Hoag, Jordan Kardasz, Anderson Lawfer, Sean Mallary, Kat McDonnell, Joanna Melville, Gregor Mortis, Mike Mroch, Michaela Petro, Mike Przygoda, John Henry Roberts, Justine C. Turner, and Jamie Vann. Strawdog's interim artistic director is Hank Boland and the general manager is Mike Mroch. Notable Strawdog alums include Elizabeth Auman (TimeLine), Alexandra Billings (actress, cabaret star), Nancy Bishop (casting director), Chrisanne Blankenship (director), Becca Cardo (voice-over artist), Kristin Caskey (Fox Theatricals), Scott Cummins (actor, director) and James Denton (Desperate Housewives).

Strawdog Theatre Company Board of Directors include Seth Rickard, Gregory Altman, Stephen Bennett, Meaghan Clayton, Jim Hobart, Thomas V. Linguanti, Joyce McGreevy, Jennifer Nelson, Jack Rubin, Mark D. Warner, Pat Yuzawa-Rubin.

All productions, plus ongoing late night offerings, are presented at Strawdog's space in the heart of Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, 3829 N. Broadway Street. Tickets are available at .773.528.9696 or www.strawdog.org

The neighborhood has limited paid parking and is easily accessible by public transportation (via the Red Line Sheridan stop, plus 36-Broadway, 80-Irving Park, and 151-Sheridan buses).

For Subscriptions, Single Tickets, and Group Sales, please contact Strawdog Theatre's Box Office at 773.528.9696.