The Jades to Produce AN ALMANAC FOR FARMERS AND LOVERS IN MEXICO

On the heels of their company launch this spring, women-focused Chicago theatre company The Jades announces their inaugural production of An Almanac for Farmers and Lovers in Mexico by Kate Tarker, running October 21st-November 13th at The Frontier (1106 W. Thorndale Ave). Emmi Hilger directs. The script was a finalist on the 2015 Kilroys List of the best un- and under-produced American plays by female and trans* writers.

A synopsis of the play: Flora and Pelé are so very in love, and just a few days away from their Mexican wedding. Only hitch to getting hitched: Pelé seems to have transformed into a bird. Flora is keeping him in a little cage and negotiating with a persnickety judge to turn him back. When her circle of friends arrives, they do their best to help by cooking, theorizing, and falling in and out of love with one another.

The cast includes Arti Ishak (Flora), Mark Maxwell (Henry), Jesse Muñoz (Pelé), Avi Roque (San Cristóbal), Kate Smith (Zoe), Joy Valdez-Pappas (Judge), and Mia Vivens (Molly).

The production team includes Caitlin Aase (Movement Director), Elyse Balogh (Scenic Designer), Emma Deane (Lighting Designer), Alexandra Garfinkle (Dramaturg), Elizabeth Siedt (Props Designer), Becca Venable (Sound Designer/Technical Director), Kelsey Wang (Costume Designer), and Ally Wetz (Stage Manager).

In addition, The Jades will be producing their first staged reading series, entitled Jadesmash, on Thursday nights at 7:30pm during the run of An Almanac... Three plays by up-and-coming Chicago writers will be read, with audience talkbacks to follow. Jadesmash will also take place at The Frontier (1106 W. Thorndale), and is pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $5. Reading schedule is as follows:

Thursday, October 27th: Public Domain by Riley Mondragon (directed by Mara Stern)
Thursday, November 3rd: Waiting for Gumby's by Arti Ishak (directed by Charlotte Drover)
Thursday, November 10th: Stupid Ghost by Savannah Reich (directed by Alyssa White)