THE EARL Returns To A Red Orchid Theater

In February, 2006, THE EARL, an over the top, powerful comedy noir from the very thought-provoking native Chicago playwright BRETT NEVEU, opened to raves at A RED ORCHID THEATRE on Wells Street in Chicago. The play's six-month run attests to the popularity of the quirky, bold, bloody and dark plot about three dysfunctional brothers who can only relate to each other through a highly ritualized game of interactive violence. When an outsider (an earl) is invited to play by one of the brothers, as an "ace in the hole," in this instance "the iconic Hollywood actor Lawrence Stephens," the game is changed forever!

February, 2011, five years later, a fresh new production of THE EARL is returning to A RED ORCHID THEATRE. This time presented by a young and innovative Chicago art's organization known as THE INCONVENIENCE, in association with A RED ORCHID THEATRE. Produced by INCONVENIENCE company member MISSI DAVIS, and directed by A RED ORCHID'S Literary Manager DUNCAN RIDDELL, this "EARL" will have a slightly altered perspective. The script remains the same, but the relationship between the brothers will be heightened; and the set, sound, and lighting design will have a different tone.

From THE DIRECTOR: "THE EARL is bold, bloody and very, very funny! What drew me to the play was the extraordinary precision of the writing. In our version, the design elements will be stripped to their essentials -our focus is to marry the rhythms of the physical blows with the cadence of the verbal assaults. We've got a younger group of actors playing the brothers this time around. To have DANNY GOLDRING in the mix - reprising the title role - is an honor of the highest degree. Working with THE INCONVENIENCE is a big draw - this is a very exciting young company with boundless energy and talent."

THE EARL opens at A RED ORCHID THEATRE, 1531 North Wells in Chicago, on WED. FEBRUARY 2, thru WED. FEBRUARY 23. Performances: SUNDAY thru WEDNESDAY at 8 PM. All tickets: $15.00. For reservations, call (773) 658-4438. Or go online to www.theinconvenience.org/earl.html. General admission seating. Advance reservations are suggested.

DANNY GOLDRING, one of Chicago's most gifted theatre and film actors, originated the title role in February, 2006, and was applauded by the critics for his riveting performance:
"A wild noir party! Danny Goldring playing ‘The Earl,' an iconic veteran Hollywood Clint Eastwood-esque character, is superbly cast and offers such a knock-out performance that you never want to see anyone else in that role!" - Chris Jones/Chicago Tribune
"Danny Goldring steals the show!" - "Entertainment Spotlight" WLS-TV/ABC Chicago

When Chicago Dramatists held their first reading of THE EARL and Goldring stopped by to read for the title role, described as "a macho film star in the Clint Eastwood genre," Neveu recalls saying, "We've got our Earl!"
INCONVENIENCE company members will play the brothers: RYAN BOURQUE as "Kent," WALTER BRIGGS is "Peter," and CHRISTOPHER CHMELIK will take the part of "Rick."

Tho not related, the three are actually close friends and do have a brotherly relationship which adds yet another dimension to their characters' interaction.
The Inconvenience, hand-picked to produce this production by playwright Neveu and A Red Orchid Artistic Director, Kirsten Fitzgerald, represents an exciting, new generation in the Chicago theatre community. The sixteen company members - all in their early 20's - initially lived together as an artistic community, creating a closely knit interactive - albeit nonviolent - environment. For the past two and a half years, this group of interdisciplinary artists has sought to challenge an audience's perspective through the presentation of music, theatre, dance, fine art and celebration. They have played to over 10,000 people in several sold-out venues across Chicago. THE EARL will be their first professionally produced theatre presentation.

Goldring, an intense stage presence, is one of the most impressive and versatile actors working today. Noted Chicago broadcaster, journalist, author Rick Kogan has called him "A Chicago icon!" As the "Clarence Darrow" character in a recent production of Inherit the Wind his performance was called "Electrifying!" Other recent theatre appearances include David Mamet's Reunion and Dark Pony; and Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful, both at the Goodman; and Lyric Opera's production of Porgy and Bess. He stars in the just released Beverly Ridge Pictures' mob thriller Chicago Overcoat.

Ryan Bourque is currently featured in The Hypocrites' Pirates of Penzance. Other theatre credits include Griffin Theatre's The Hostage; and Cherrywood at Mary-Arrchie Theatre. Walter Briggs last appeared at A Red Orchid in The Louis Slotin Sonata. He was featured in Mary-Arrchie's Cowboy Mouth; The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre's Twelfth Night; and is the voice of Prestone Car Care. He will be seen in The Hypocrites' upcoming production of Woyzeck. Christopher Chmelik's stage credits include The Comedy of Errors at The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; The Hollow Lands at Steep Theatre; and Griffin Theatre Company's On the Shore of the Wide World.
The award-winning Brett Neveu, often compared to another prolific Chicago playwright David Mamet for his use of strong language and bold plots, will have three of his plays in production concurrently: The Earl at A Red Orchid; Do The Hustle at A Writers' Theatre; and Odradek at The House Theatre. He is also A Red Orchid Theatre ensemble member.

THE EARL team for this production: Set Designer, John Holt*; Lighting Designer, Nic Jones*; Sound Design, Joe Court; Costume Design, Mary Williamson*; Fight Advisor, Chuck Coyl; Fight Choreographer, Ryan Bourque*; Stage Manager, Mackenzie Yeager; Marketing Director, Ryan Bourque*, Director of Theatre Programming, Walter Briggs*, Artistic Director, Christoper Chmelik*, and Executive Director, Emily Reusswig*. *Denotes Inconvenience company member.

The Inconvenience also includes; Ryan Murphy, Gus Menary, Sierra DuFault, Sam Deutsch, Brian Rad, John Cicora, Erin Kilmurray, and Ike Holter.

The Inconvenience wishes to express their appreciation to A RED ORCHID THEATRE and their Artistic Director KIRSTEN FITZGERALD for helping to make this production a reality.

 

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