THE NEWLYWEDS Begins Rehearsals for Chicago New Work Festival

Rehearsals have begun for Wendy Schmidt's The Newlyweds, the sixth of seven plays being performed for the ChicagoNew Work Festival. Open rehearsals will be held all week from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. There will be a $5.00 suggested donation. Three Cat Productions will present a final reading of The Newlyweds at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 at the Berger Park Coach House Theater at 6205 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60660. Tickets are available for $10.00.

A hapless bridesmaid, inspired by the arrival of a mysterious guest, sets off on a quest to improve her fortunes -- triggering everyone involved to question what really makes them happy. Set in a farcical world where people aspire to be members of wedding parties, and brides and grooms sit atop the social hierarchy, Wendy Schmidt's The Newlyweds explores the power of the status quo and the importance of questioning authority.

The Chicago New Work Festival, running through May 18, is part of Three Cat Productions' efforts to showcase Chicago playwrights, foster relationships between Chicago playwrights and directors, and to bring new work programming to the Edgewater area. It is also Three Cat's first run of major programming since partnering with the Chicago Park District's Berger Park Cultural Center in February.

The previous installments of the Chicago New Work Festival were Sasha Dune by Lisa Scott, Light by Jarrin Davis, Kate's Dates by Kate Loftus, adapted by JD Ostergaard, Investigate and Protect by Liz Ellison, Endangered by David Alex, and The Newlyweds by Wendy Schmidt. The final installment of the Chicago New Work Festival will be Joint Attention by Pat Curtis.

Three Cat Productions' upcoming events include Chicago SOLO, a showcase for individual performances running June 5 - 15; and Cabaret on the Lake, Fridays in June and July. Three Cat Education (the education arm of Three Cat Productions) will run a spring youth production The Magic Games and Other Storybook Stuff on May 18 and 19, as well as, summer theater camps from June 17 to August 16.

Tickets and more information are available online at www.threecatproductions.com, by emailing jsmith@threecatproductions.com or by calling Three Cat Productions at (312) 970-9840.