THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA Opens At Profiles 3/26

Profiles Theatre continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the acclaimed new dark comedy The Wonderful World of Dissocia by Anthony Neilson, directed by Profiles Associate Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox. The production runs March 26 - May 10, 2009, at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway. The press opening is Thursday, March 26, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.

The Wonderful World of Dissocia is a colorful and exciting off-kilter trip that follows Lisa Jones in search of one lost hour that has tipped the balance of her life. The inhabitants of the wonderful world she finds herself in - Dissocia - are a curious blend of the funny, the friendly and the brutal. This is a hugely original play, both magical and moving, that confirmed Anthony Neilson as one of the major voices in contemporary British theatre.

The Wonderful World Of Dissocia received its lauded World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival and went on to win every major category at the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland including Best New Play and Best Production. Mr. Neilson's award-winning play subsequently played to sold-out houses and wowed audiences and critics alike at The National Theatre of Scotland and at the Royal Court in London.

This is the fourth production of Profiles Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season following its acclaimed productions of Great Falls by Lee Blessing, The Thugs by Adam Bock and Men of Tortuga by Jason Wells. The final production of the season will be the World premiere of Graceland by Ellen Fairey.

The cast of The Wonderful World of Dissocia features Profiles' ensemble members Somer Benson The Thugs, Things We Said Today), Eric Burgher (Men of Tortuga) and Joe Jahraus (Things We Said Today). The cast also includes Jeremy Lee Cudd, Jessie Fisher, Sarah Loveland, Bob Pries, and Barb Stasiw.

"The Wonderful World of Dissocia is one the most unique, unorthodox and surprising pieces of theatre I have ever read," says Profiles Associate Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox. "I have long been an admirer of Anthony Neilson's work--a fearless Scotsman, who was at the forefront of the revolutionary British ‘in-yer-face' theatre movement in the early '90's. With Dissocia, one of his most recent plays, Mr. Neilson is no longer content with expanding the boundaries of experiential theatre. This new work brings a blast of fresh, emotionally truthful and physically Alive Theatre to the stage that is truly remarkable. We are honored to be introducing this play to American audiences and promise an experience that will be unlike anything in our twenty year history at Profiles."

The designers are Thad Hallstein (set), Jessica Harpenau (lights), Ricky Lurie (costumes), and Kevin O'Donnell (sound). The assistant director is Profiles ensemble member Tyler Gray and the stage manager is Jackie Woodward.

ANTHONY NEILSON (Playwright) is a writer/director and is currently a Literary Associate for the RSC. His first stage play, WELFARE MY LOVELY was performed at the Traverse Theatre. His second play, NORMAL, performed at The Edinburgh Festival and transferred to the Finborough Arms. PENETRATOR (originally commissioned by Colin Ludlow as a BBC Screenplay) played the Edinburgh Festival '93, transferred to the Finborough and then to The Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in January '94. Further works include THE YEAR OF THE FAMILY (Finborough 1994), HEREDITY (Royal Court) and WHITE TRASH (National Theatre Studio). He directed his play THE CENSOR at the Finborough Theatre in April 1997 which transferred to the Royal Court, Duke of Yorks, had a third run at The Ambassadors and won the Writers Guild Award for Best Fringe Play 1997. Television credits include DEEPER STILL, a 10 minute film for C4 which he wrote and directed, A TERRIBLE COLDNESS (60') for the Granada Crime Story series, BIBLE JOHN an influential episode of "In Suspicious Circumstances", a commission to write the screenplay for CRACKER (spin-off from Granada series for theatrical release) and a 2 hour Prime Suspect film, also for Granada. His film debut THE DEBT COLLECTOR was released in 1999 and won the Fipresci Award at the Troia International Film Festival in the same year. In 2002 the Theatre Royal Plymouth produced EDWARD GANT'S AMAZING FEATS OF LONELINESS which he also directed. He wrote and directed STITCHING for The Bush/Red Room which played at the Traverse at the Edinburgh Festival, transferred to The Bush and toured England and Scotland afterwards and for which he was nominated Evening Standard Most Promising New Playwright. His third new play in 2002, THE LYING KIND played in the main house, Royal Court. In Sept 2004, his play THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA played at the Tron Theatre and Royal Lyceum Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Festival and then at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Currently he is working on a television commission for BBC Northern Ireland and is adapting the screen version of THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, to be called USED TO SNOW for Vestry Films/Tartan Video, which he will also direct. Anthony directed the UK premiere of the John Adams opera THE DEATH OF KLINGHOFFER for Edinburgh International Festival/Scottish Opera which won a Herald Angel Award. His most recent productions include GOD IN RUINS (2008), RELOCATED (Royal Court) and THE SÉANCE for NT Connections. He will direct a production of THE DRUNKS for the RSC is 2009 and his play EDWARD GANT will go on national tour with Headlong Theatre.

DARRELL W. COX (Director) is the Associate Artistic Director of Profiles Theatre and most recently directed the Midwest premiere of THIS IS HOW IT GOES by Neil LaBute. Prior to that, he directed "Coax" and the titular piece of Profiles' acclaimed Midwest premiere of THINGS WE SAID TODAY as well as Profiles' long running hit, AUTOBAHN, both by Mr. Labute. Mr. Cox has directed numerous productions for Profiles over the years including the Midwest premieres of THE RADIANT ABYSS by Angus MacLachlan and WONDER OF THE WORLD by David Lindsay-Abaire. Other directorial credits for Profiles include THE WATER ENGINE, HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES and THE TWILIGHT ZONE: THE SERIES, among others.

SOMER BENSON (Lisa) was most recently seen as Diane in Profiles' Midwest Premiere of THE THUGS by Adam Bock. She was also seen as Steph in a reading of REASONS TO BE PRETTY, part of Profiles' AN EVENING WITH Neil LaBute: LIVE AND IN PERSON. Last season, she was seen in "Coax", a short play from the Midwest premiere of THINGS WE SAID TODAY by Neil LaBute. Some of her other favorite productions include PROOF, COLLECTED STORIES, and COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN. She was also the Assistant Director for Profiles' acclaimed productions of GREAT FALLS by Lee Blessing and IN A DARK DARK HOUSE by Neil LaBute. Somer is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (CA), studied at Waubonsee Community College with Dr. Maria Bakalis and has also studied at Profiles Theatre.

ERIC BURGHER (Guard 2, Inhibitions, Nurse 2) was most recently seen as Fletcher in Profiles' first full Chicago production of MEN OF TORUGA. Prior to that, he appeared in THIS IS HOW IT GOES by Neil LaBute and "Land of the Dead" as part of Profiles' Midwest Premiere of LaBute shorts, THINGS WE SAID TODAY. Eric also appeared as Carter in the Midwest Premiere of FAT PIG by Neil LaBute. Eric received an After Dark Award for Outstanding Ensemble in "Bench Seat" as part of Profiles' Midwest Premiere of AUTOBAHN. He was also seen as Steve in THE GLORY OF LIVING, Steve Enloe in THE RADIANT ABYSS, and as Dan in NOISE. Eric is a graduate of Columbia College, where he is now on the adjunct faculty.

Jeremy Lee CUDD (Passenger 3, Oathtaker Attendant, Biffer, Vince) is so excited to be working with the folks at Profiles. He was last seen in a new work, ROCK AND ROLL: THE REUNION TOUR at Actors Theatre of Louisville and appeared in TWELFTH NIGHT with City Lit Theatre. His other regional credits include: A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE LARAMIE PROJECT with ALLIANCE THEATRE; CLOUD 9, WHOSE LIFE IS IT, ANYWAY?, and LOVES AND HOURS with Pennsylvania Centre Stage; ROMEO AND JULIET at the Georgia Shakespeare Festival; THE LARAMIE PROJECT with Actors Express; THREE SISTERS with Synchronicity Performance Group; LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC with ART Station; PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! at Theatre Gael; and KING LEAR with Soul-stice Rep. Jeremy also edited and appears in the web series, "Clinton County Community Players". Jeremy holds an M.F.A. in Acting from Penn State University.

Jessie Fisher (Passenger 1, Oathtaker Attendant, Jane, Musician, Dot) returns to Profiles where she was last seen as Tyler in SOME GIRL(S). Recent credits include THESE SHINING LIVES with Rivendell Ensemble and MY NAME IS Rachel Corrie with Purple Bench Productions as well as work with Curious Theatre Branch, Lookingglass, Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Artistic Home and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. During the day, she can be seen as Curly's Wife in OF MICE AND MEN at Steppenwolf, where she is a graduate of their summer program. Jessie improvises weekly at iO and other venues with various teams. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful people.

JOE JAHRAUS (Guard 1, Ticket, Dr. Faraday) was most recently seen in Profiles' Midwest Premieres of THINGS WE SAID TODAY and AUTOBAHN by Neil LaBute, which received an After Dark Award for Outstanding Ensemble. Other recent appearances at Profiles include Carl in THE GLORY OF LIVING, Berman in REPARATION and Matt in NOISE. Joe received a 1999 Jeff Citation Nomination for Ensemble for his performance as Wells in STRAY DOGS. He has previously been seen in Profiles' productions of WONDER OF THE WORLD, SNAKEBIT, JUMP TO COW HEAVEN, SOME VOICES, DOGS BARKING, POPCORN, EYE OF GOD and THE BABY DANCE.

SARAH LOVELAND (Passenger 2, Oathtaker Attendant, Briney, Nurse 1), making her Profiles debut, has been seen in DESIGN FOR LIVING for First Folio Theatre and a tour of MACBETH and ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Other Chicago credits include FOOLS with St. Sebastian Players and EXPECTATIONS at Gorilla Tango Theatre. Regionally, Sarah has appeared as Katherine in LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST and as Armande in THE LEARNED LADIES, both with the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival.

Bob Pries (Victor Hesse, Goat, Laughter, Dr. Clark) is back at Profiles Theatre after appearing as Bart in the Midwest premiere of THE THUGS earlier this season. He is a veteran of more than 50 Chicago area productions including IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Porchlight, THE HOUSE THAT SWIFT BUILT with Red Square, SUNSET BOULEVARD at Marriott Lincolnshire, BLACK MILK with European Rep and A WINTER'S TALE at Chicago Shakespeare. He was one of Chicago's original NAKED BOYS SINGING at Bailiwick Repertory and his performance as Hucklebee in Pegasus Players' THE FANTASTICKS took him to Egypt and earned him his first Jeff nomination.

Barb Stasiw (Oathtaker, Argument, Passenger 4, Nurse 3) returns to Profiles where she was last seen as Karla in the Midwest Premiere of WONDER OF THE WORLD. She most recently appeared as Wanda in Attic Playhouse's production of COLD, COLD FEET. She is originally from Georgetown, Canada where she appeared as Phyllis in DRINKING ALONE at the Georgetown Theatre. Other favorite roles include Lillian in I HATE HAMLET at Attic Playhouse and Anfisa in THREE SISTERS at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Barb is a graduate of Hope College and she has also studied at H.B. Studios and Profiles Theatre.

Tickets for The Wonderful World of Disscoia are $25 for Thursdays and Sundays; $30 for Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, www.profilestheatre.org. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.

Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni and has since been continually producing plays. Profiles brings new works to Chicago that illuminate the determination and resiliency of the human spirit. The company produces World, US and Midwest Premieres by new playwrights, as well as established writers whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. Profiles is particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language and the company takes pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk. Profiles Theatre is committed to producing plays that tell a story in a captivating way with productions that complement the ensemble and speak to its audience.

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