The New National Pastime Theater Presents BEND IN THE ROAD, Now thru 6/9

After nearly twenty years in the old speakeasy, The National Pastime Theater has changed location and unveils Chicago's newest theatrical venue in the Uptown neighborhood with another world premiere cusTom Crafted for NPT's style. In 1994 Michael Sokoloff wrote Red Dog Moon for The National Pastime Theater to open our season in its first permanent home. The inaugural production in its new theatrical venue reunites NPT's Founder and Artistic Director Laurence Bryan and NPT resident playwright Michael Sokoloff in the world premier of A Bend in the Road, a tale of Westward expansion. 

...two young men are coming; they're just around the bend. Dressed in clothing as sturdy as they are, as easy and open and ready for what comes. They're on foot, traveling light. Beyond the mountains, California is calling. The great rush to the American River has already driven thousands before them, on that perilous trek that "the cowardly don't start, and the weak don't finish," but they are in no hurry; they are not driven by the lust for gold; it is a hunger for adventure that drives them. The dust at their feet is filled with magic.

Filled with NPT's trademark concoction of mystery, magic, dark corners, political content, aggressive sexuality and violence, Michael Sokoloff's Bend in the Road is directed by Laurence Bryan, with music by composer Nathan Basinger. An experienced roster of NPT favorites: designers, actors, technical and business support, are all back at The New National Pastime Theater to celebrate its first twenty years and kick off the next twenty in the new theater. The new theater, built in 1925, has Neoclassical architecture, twenty-four foot ceilings, period murals, original maple floors, is over 3,000 square feet and is on the Federal Register of Historic Places. 

A Bend in the Road opens tonight, May 4th and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 6pm until Saturday June 9th. Ticket are $25, Seniors $20. Thursday industry and students $15.

The fourth annual Naked July: Art Stripped Down festival runs throughout the month of July, with the main stage NPT production of References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm followed by The Living Canvas at 10pm. Tickets $20 each show.

Hannukatz the Musical opens Friday November 23rd through Saturday December 29th. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $25. Kids 12 and under are $10.

The National Pastime Theater hosts its Masquerade Ball at the Exact Center of the Universe December 31st 2012. Doors open 8pm and close when the last mask drops. Tickets are $100 per couple ($50 single) in advance and $150 per couple ($75 single) after December 25th.

All tickets can be purchased at nationalpastimetheater.com or the box office at 773-327-7077. Call for group sales.

The New National Pastime Theater is located within the rediscovered historic Masonic Hall in the Preston Bradley Center at 941 W Lawrence Ave. 4th Floor in Chicago. The curious and bold can discover us via the Red Line, Lawrence train stop and bus routes 36, 81, 145 and 151 are all within 3 blocks.

Photo Credit: Warren Winter / PSG

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