TRUMAN AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL Makes World Premiere At Greenhouse Theater Center

The Greenhouse Theater Center and Forum Productions are pleased to present the world premiere of the historical drama TRUMAN AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL, written by David Cohen (aka William Spatz) and directed by Randy White, playing October 11 - November 18, 2018 in The Greenhouse's Upstairs Main Stage, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at greenhousetheater.org, in person at the box office or by calling (773) 404-7336. The press opening is Monday, October 15 at 7:30 pm.

TRUMAN AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL will feature Catherine Dvorak, Tim Kough, Peter Nerad and Andrew Pond.

From humble beginnings as a poor farmer, soldier, and failed business man to the unimaginable: President! Thrust headlong into global turmoil, TRUMAN AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL tells the story of one Missouri man's unlikely rise to power and the controversial role he played in the founding of the State of Israel.

The production team for TRUMAN AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL includes: David SS Davis (scenic design), Kate Setzer Kaumphausen (costume design), David Trudeau (lighting design), Clara Tomaz (sound and projections designer), Nova Casillo (props design), Carrie Hardin (dialect coach), Rob Frankel (dramaturg), Ron Rude (production manager), James Heppler (technical director) and Jennifer Roseman (stage manager).

About the Artists

David Cohen aka William (Bill) Spatz (Playwright) is a playwright, philanthropist and real estate developer in Chicago. Playwrighting credits include JESUS THE JEW As Told By His Brother James, which he will be adapting into Two Brothers from Nazareth, his first musical. JESUS THE JEW enjoyed its world premiere at the Greenhouse in 2017. As president of the board for the Greenhouse Theater Center, Bill has overseen the remodeling and expansion of the Greenhouse, which has for over 40 years served as an artistic home for Chicago theater companies including Victory Gardens. He is also the President of the Wendy and William Spatz Charitable Foundation. When not producing theater, Bill spends his time engrossed in historical research, traveling with his wife and business partner Wendy and supporting Chicago theater companies.

Randy White (Director) is the Founding Artistic Director of Cardinal Stage Company in Bloomington, Indiana, where he led the team that built Cardinal into a successful Equity theatre with a million-dollar operating budget in under 10 years. At Cardinal, Randy directed Frankenstein, West Side Story, King Charles III, The Whipping Man, August: Osage County, Next to Normal, Les Mis and 50+ other productions.

In NYC, Randy directed the 15 month off-Broadway run of Glen Berger's Underneath the Lintel, Theatreworks USA's Max and Ruby, New George's Self Defense, and many other productions. Randy also assisted on The Lion King and was resident director at New Dramatists. Regionally, Randy has directed at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Portland Center Stage, Actors Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival), etc. Randy has also directed and/or taught at Yale, Penn, Indiana University, Minnesota/Guthrie, AMDA, Fordham, and NYU Tisch. In Chicago, Randy is scheduled to direct the children's musicals at Northbrook Theatre and The Children's Theatre of Winnetka. Randy is also working to adapt several Newberry award-winning children's novels for the stage.

Randy and his family recently relocated to Chicago after his partner accepted a position in the English Department (Shakespeare) at the University of Chicago. Randy holds an MFA in directing from the University of Alberta in his native Canada.

PHOTO CREDIT: (pictured) Tim Kough as Harry S. Truman in a publicity image for Greenhouse Theater Center and Forum Productions' world premiere of TRUMAN AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL. Photo by Michael Brosilow.