The Hypocrites' H.M.S. PINAFORE, THE MIKADO and PIRATES OF PENZANCE Begin in Rep Tonight

On the heels of their critically acclaimed hit ALL OUR TRAGIC, The Hypocrites are pleased to continue their 2014-15 Season with another world premiere: a playful re-imaging of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. PINAFORE, adapted and directed by Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney, co-directed by Thrisa Hodits with new arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon.

In what has become an annual celebration of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon, H.M.S. PINAFORE will run in repertory with remounts of the company's wildly popular productions of THE MIKADO and THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, also adapted and directed by Graney. All three productions will be helmed by ten creatively cast performers acting as their own orchestra, with music direction by Andra Velis Simon.

The Hypocrites' repertory of three Gilbert and Sullivan favorites, the perfect non-denominational holiday offering, will play tonight, November 26, 2014 - February 7, 2015 at their new home, The Den Theatre, 1329-1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Ticket for all three productions are currently on sale at www.the-hypocrites.com. The press opening for H.M.S. PINAFORE is Monday, December 1 at 8 pm.

The ten-member ensemble cast of H.M.S. PINAFORE, THE MIKADO and PIRATES OF PENZANCE includes: Kate Carson-Groner, Emily Casey, Matt Kahler*, Robert McLean*, Dana Omar, Shawn Pfautsch, Doug Pawlik, Erik Schroeder, Christine Stulik* and Lauren Vogel.

The production team includes: Michael Smallwood (scenic design), Alison Siple (costume design), Heather Gilbert (lighting design), Maria DeFabo (props design) and Miranda Anderson (stage manager).

H.M.S. PINAFORE

Adapted and Directed by Sean Graney

New arrangements by Matt Kahler* and Andra Velis Simon

Co-Directed by Thrisa Hodits

Music direction by Andra Velis Simon

Previews: Wednesday, November 26 at 8 pm, Friday, November 28 at 8 pm, Saturday, November 29 at 8 pm & Sunday, November 29 at 8 pm
Press Performance: Monday, December 1 at 8 pm
Regular Run: Friday, December 5, 2014 - Saturday, February 7, 2015

THE MIKADO

Adapted and Directed by Sean Graney

Co-directed by Thrisa Hodits

Music direction by Andra Velis Simon

Previews: Thursday, December 11 at 8 pm & Friday, December 12 at 8 pm
Regular Run: Saturday, December 13, 2014 - Saturday, February 7, 2015

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

Adapted and Directed by Sean Graney

Co-adapted by Kevin O'Donnell

Co-directed by Thrisa Hodits

Music direction by Andra Velis Simon

Previews: Thursday, December 18 at 8 pm & Friday, December 19 at 8 pm
Regular Run: Saturday, December 20, 2014 - Saturday, February 7, 2015

Curtain Times (for regular run): Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm and 8pm; Sundays at 3 pm and 8 pm; and Mondays at 8 pm. For a detailed schedule of individual performances, please visit www.the-hypocrites.com. Please note: there will be a marathon of all three productions on Saturday, February 7 at 11 am (H.M.S PINAFORE), 3 pm (THE MIKADO) and 8 pm (THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE).

Tickets Prices: $36 - $50. Tickets are currently on sale at www.the-hypocrites.com.

THE MIKADO has also been invited to appear in the American Repertory Theater's (A.R.T.) 2014-15 Season at Harvard University. The Hypocrites' 2010 production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE earned four Jeff nominations including Best Musical and Best Ensemble -- and it's remained an audience favorite ever since.

About the Adapter/Director - Sean Graney has directed over 30 productions for The Hypocrites since 1997. He recently returned from a Fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. In 2004, Graney was a participant in the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors. He has won four Joseph Jefferson Citation awards for the Direction and Adaptation for Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses, and Directing of Equus and Machinal. He has directed Edward II (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), The Hairy Ape (Eugene O'Neill Festival at Goodman Theatre), The Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Irma Vep and What the Butler Saw (Court Theatre), Yankee Tavern (Milwaukee Rep) and The Elephant Man (Steppenwolf for Young Audiences).

About The Hypocrites - Founding Artistic Director Sean Graney* created The Hypocrites in 1997. It is currently run by Artistic Director Halena Kays* and Managing Director Megan Wildebour*. The Hypocrites are recognized as groundbreakers that defy the audience's expectations. The company has grown significantly in the past few years, receiving acclaim for productions at the Steppenwolf Garage, Goodman Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art, DCASE Storefront and Chopin Theater. The company's smash-hit production of Our Town, directed by David Cromer, transferred in 2009 to Off-Broadway, Los Angeles and Boston. The Pirates of Penzance has appeared at Actors Theater of Louisville and American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.). A.R.T. has also brought Romeo Juliet, 12 Nights and The Mikado (forthcoming). The American Theatre Wing, best known as the creator of the Tony Awards, presented The Hypocrites with one of the 2013 National Theatre Company awards in 2013. For more information, visit www.the-hypocrites.com.

*Denotes The Hypocrites Company Members
+Denotes The Hypocrites Artistic Associates

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