THE CONDITION OF FEMME and THE VIEW UPSTAIRS Set for Circle Theatre's 32nd Season

Circle Theatre has announced its 32nd Season, which includes a timely world-premiere play and a vibrant, direct-from-New York, Chicago-premiere musical.

After their critically-successful 32nd Season, Circle Theatre has announced two exciting productions: The Condition of Femme, a world-premiere play by Lauren Marie Powell, directed by Amanda Jane Long, followed by the Chicago-premiere of the Off-Broadway hit The View UpStairs, with Book, Music, and Lyrics by Max Vernon, and direction by Jeff-Award nominee Derek Van Barham.

The Condition of Femme will have previews March 2 through March 4, with press opening on Wednesday, March 7, running through Sunday, April 1. Performances will be Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:30pm and industry performances on Mondays at 8:00pm at The Buena at Pride Arts Center (4147 N. Broadway).

The View Upstairs begins previews on June 22 through June 25, and officially opens for press Wednesday, June 27, running through Sunday, July 22. Shows will be Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm, with industry performances every Monday at 8:00pm at The Broadway at Pride Arts Center (4139 N. Broadway).

Tickets for both productions will be available in the new year and can be purchased via www.circletheatrechicago.org. Full casting and production teams will be announced at a later date.

ABOUT THE CONDITION OF FEMME

The Condition of Femme by Lauren Marie Powell follows the learning curve of Reagan, a compassionate young woman working for a sexual assault hotline. Over the course of a year, callers and confidantes share their stories -- some heartfelt, some humorous, some very painful. Leaving her well-meaning naivete behind, Reagan becomes a gentle guide to female-identified persons coping with violence. When a line blurs between advocacy and intimacy, Reagan risks losing herself to the injustice of it all. Based on true stories, this world-premiere production is a highly relevant new play, engaging broad audiences with realities of rape culture in America.

ABOUT LAUREN MARIE POWELL, playwright of The Condition of Femme

Lauren is making her Chicago debut as a playwright. While working as an on-camera actor, writing became a natural form of character discovery. She is a graduate of the theatre school at NIU & Actor's Movement Studio NY.

ABOUT AMANDA JANE LONG, director of The Condition of Femme

Amanda Jane Long is Founder and Creative Director of Along the Way Productions, where she produces, directs, manages, and consults for Chicago arts companies, non-profits, and performing artists. Also an actor, Amanda has been seen onstage with BoHo Theater, Lifeline Theater, and Organic Theater Company. She is the Executive Director of VAMP Chicago. Education: MFA Acting (Northern Illinois University); BFA Acting (Southern Oregon University); and abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre School.

ABOUT THE VIEW UPSTAIRS

When Wes, a young fashion designer from 2017, buys an abandoned building in the French Quarter of New Orleans, he finds himself transported to the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant seventies gay bar. As this forgotten community comes to life, Wes embarks on an exhilarating journey of self-exploration that spans two generations of queer history. The View UpStairs asks what has been gained and lost in the fight for equality, and how the past can help guide all of us through an uncertain future.

ABOUT Max Vernon, author and composer of The View UpStairs

Max Vernon is a composer/lyricist, playwright, and performer. Described by the New Yorker as "equal parts bohemia and Broadway," Max's work has been performed and developed at Ars Nova, Actors Theatre of Louisville (Wondrous Strange, Humana Festival 2016), Berkeley Rep, Dixon Place, Disney Creative Entertainment, Goodspeed Opera House, Keen Company, LaMaMa, Naked Angels, New Dramatists, Ma-Yi, Pride Films and Plays (Chicago), Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Theatreworks USA, and Two River Theater (NJ), among others.

ABOUT DEREK VAN BARHAM, director of The View UpStairs

Derek Van Barham is the Associate Artistic Director of Pride Films & Plays. For PFP, he directed Perfect Arrangement, BITE, Angry Fags, & Songs from an Unmade Bed (Jeff nomination). He has directed/choreographed for Boho Theatre, Hell in a Handbag, Black Button Eyes, The Ruckus, Salonathon, and others. He was named one of Windy City Times' 30 Under 30, honoring members of Chicago's LGBTQ+ community.

ABOUT CIRCLE THEATRE

For more than 30 years, Circle Theatre Chicago has engaged the artistic vision of interdisciplinary artists to craft unique, challenging storytelling experiences spanning all creative mediums. The proud recipient of more than 40 Jeff Awards, it has presented countless world, regional, and Chicago premieres including works by Rebecca Gilman, Charles Mee, Jon Steinhagen, and Harry Connick, Jr. In recent seasons, Circle Theatre has put its stamp on contemporary work in intimate and lauded productions of such works as Triassic Parq, 35MM: A Musical Exhibition, First Lady Suite, and Venus in Fur. Having appeared on every major paper's top ten lists numerous times, Circle is the recipient of the 2010 Jeff Award for special recognition of its 25th Anniversary.

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