THE CHURCH OF MODERN LOVE July Workshop Run Casting Announced

With a Machete Productions, in association with Haven Theatre, is thrilled to present The Church of Modern Love, a new rock musical experience, with music, lyrics and book by Davyd Reddyk and Ethan Krupp. This workshop-run will play at the Den Theatre - Bookspan Theatre from July 17th - 28th. The Church of Modern Love will be directed and choreographed by Jon Martinez (Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The View Upstairs).

"After performances in festivals and at rock venues, we're excited to bring The Church of Modern Love to The Den Theatre," said lead producer, Lucy Walker. "New works take time to develop, and this show now requires a longer workshop run. Every show will be different as we explore new material."

This workshop-run will star Paige Daigle as Jenna Roxy, the face of the church, and Harmony France as Lucy Roxy, Jenna's mother. Also featured will be Max Cervantes as Robbie Jones, the church's songwriter, and Mike Gospel as Brother Poppy, the lead priest.

Originally founded in the 1960s by Dole Roxy, The Church of Modern Love is comprised of people centered around one simple idea: "You Deserve To Be Loved." Church gatherings include singing and dancing in worship via a rock concert.

Today, the church is stronger than ever; full of devout members who gather to honor Jenna, Dole's daughter and their new savior. During the final phase of this audience's "self search," church members and leaders begin to unravel the world they built for themselves, and wonder why they joined in the first place.

The Church of Modern Love offers an immersive experience for the audience: As they enter the theater, they are members of the church.

Additional cast members include: Christopher Young (Perfect Arrangement), Jordan Clanton (Scottsboro Boys), Xavier Euzarraga (Yank!), Holly Gombita, Jazmyn Ortega, Jean Bonavita (Tony and Tina's Wedding), Ashley Geron and Haleigh Hutchinson.

The production crew includes Josh Sobel (Dramaturg), Natalie O'Hea (Assistant Director), Marissa Williams (Assistant Choreographer) Gabriella Hirsch (Music Supervisor) and Lucy Walker (Costume Design).

Performance Schedule

July 17th, July 20th, July 21st, July 25th, July 27th, July 28th at 8pm.

Tickets are $25 - Box Office: (773) 697-3830

The Den Theatre - 1331 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Jenna Roxy and the Church of Modern Love was first presented as a part of the 2016 Chicago Musical Theater Festival. Then received a concert staging at The Hideout in spring, 2017 and a workshop presentation at the Den Theatre in December, 2017. The show was developed with Jon Martinez

BIOGRAPHIES

Davyd Reddyk and Ethan Krupp are a Chicago based writing team. Their first show, The Thanksgiving Circumcision, sold out a run in November, 2015 at MCL Chicago and was named one of New City's Top 5 Long Form Comedy Shows of 2015. Their cabaret, ON BRAND! With Reddyk & Krupp features highlights from their shows and new works; it played at MCL Chicago from 2016-17 and will be featured at Feinstein's/54 Below in New York City this August. Their new show, Hildegard von Bingen, will premiere at the Chicago Fringe Festival. They met at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, so please buy them cheese curds soon.

Jon Martinez (Director/Choreographer) Credits include: Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theatre); The View Upstairs (Circle Theater); On A Clear Day... (Porchlight Music Theater) Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Joseph Jefferson Award nomination) (Pride Films & Plays); Rock of Ages (Timberlake Playhouse); Tonya & Nancy The Rock Opera (Chicago Premiere), Haymarket (World Premiere) (Underscore Theatre); 3C (A Red Orchid Theater); We're Gonna Die (Haven Theater/Steppenwolf). Jon also directed the Theater On The Lake remount of Bailiwick Chicago's Jeff award winning production of Murder Ballad. He also has served as assistant/associate director/choreographer on LIZZIE (Firebrand Theatre) Xanadu (American Theater Company); Carrie, Murder Ballad (Bailiwick Chicago). His first ballet, Le Apache, premiered in 2016 at The Harris Theater in Chicago. He is also the founder of the non-profit To All Performers of Color which provides free musical theatre dance training to underserved communities. Jon is a company member of Underscore and Firebrand Theatre.

Harmony France (Lucy Roxy) Harmony France is the founder and producing artistic director of Firebrand Theatre, where she produced the Chicago premiere of Lizzie and produced and directed 9 to 5: The Musical. She was the founding artistic director of Blue Moon Studio Theater, casting director at Bailiwick Chicago, and a teaching artist at Actor's Training Center. As an actor, Harmony has traveled the world with the Broadway National/International tour of Sister Act. She has been nominated for two Jeff Awards for best actress and is the recipient of a Broadway World Award for the title role of Violet. Harmony has worked with Paramount Theatre, Peninsula Players, Theatre at the Center, Bailiwick Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, Bohemian Theatre Ensemble, Profiles Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, The New Colony, Timber Lake Playhouse, Route 66, and City Lit Theatre. She studied opera at Brenau University and acting at Columbia College. firebrandtheatre.org

Paige Daigle (Jenna Roxy) Paige Daigle is ecstatic to be apart of this beautiful new work. Most recently has been being seen as Alice's understudy in Firebrand's production on of LIZZIE and as ensemble swing for 9 to 5. Chicago Credits: My Name Is Annie King (Rosalie). Colorado credits: Boulder Dinner Theatre's Addams Family (u/s Wednesday), Rocky Mountain Repertory Mamma Mia (Sophie), Almost Heaven, West Side Story (Graziella), Rock of Ages (Constance, u/s Sherrie), and Titanic (Kate Mullins). Paige obtained her BFA in Musical Theatre at Columbia College Chicago. CCC credits include: Oklahoma! (Laurey), Violet (Young Violet), Arcadia (Thomasina), and Language of Angels (Allison). Thanks/Love to her family and friends for their constant love and support!

Max Cervantes (Robbie Jones) Max Cervantes is an actor, director, teaching artist, and Aries hailing from the suburbs of Chicago. Having attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts (New Studio on Broadway), Max has performed and directed off-broadway and on screen. Max continuously seeks new opportunities to collaborate with artists and communities and is especially grateful to be working on COML with these divine people. Recently, Max won the award for best choreography for the new musical, TRU, as part of the Chicago Musical Theatre Festival. Credits include: The Christians (Playwright Horizons), Marie (Dixon Place Theatre), Grease (New Studio on Broadway), Mercury in Retrograde (Joe's Pub at The Public Theatre). Much gratitude to his family who has taught him what true love really means. Follow him on IG @maxjcervantes and check him at maxjoelcervantes.com

Mike Gospel (Brother Poppy) Mike Gospel is a Chicago improviser, actor, and singer. Mike originated the role of Brother Poppy in the CMTF workshop of The Church of Modern Love. Mike is a graduate of the training programs at both iO and The Annoyance theaters. He improvises with the iO Harold team Gideon, rock out with Anarchy: The Improvised Rock Opera and music improv for children with Storytown on Saturday mornings. Mike is also a museum exhibit designer by day working at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.

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