The Ruckus Presents Jenny Magnus' THE STRANGE, Now thru 7/6

The Ruckus kicks off their sixth season with a remount of The Strange by Jenny Magnus, presented in partnership with Athenaeum Theatre Productions, beginning June 13 at the Athenaeum Theatre. The Ruckus' production of The Strange first appeared as a part of Curious Theatre Branch's Magnus In Play festival in February 2014, receiving three performances. Ruckus Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker returns as director, and Julie Cowden (The Mammals, Stage Left) who was most recently seen in The Ruckus' production of The Deer, reprises her role as the Woman. Ruckus Ensemble Member Stevie Chaddock-Lambert (Ka-Tet Theatre, Strangeloop Theatre) joins the cast as the Girl.

Performances of The Strange begin Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m., with a preview tonight, June 12, and runs through July 6, 2014 at Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N Southport Ave.); performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3 pm. There will be no performance on Friday, July 4. An industry performance will take place on Monday, June 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16 and are on sale now at athenaeumtheatre.org. The Ruckus is partially funded by the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

When a drunk woman stumbles into a young girl's bedroom, it's a mistake. The next time it happens, though, is anything but accidental. Jenny Magnus' savage, darkly funny The Strange peers through a cracked closet door into a room after dark, where two strangers pummel, infect, and-for better or worse-connect with each other. The Ruckus' production of The Strange first appeared as a part of Curious Theatre Branch's 2014 Magnus In Play Festival, and it now roars to life again in partnership with the Athenaeum Theater.

"We're so excited to be starting our sixth season by revisiting Jenny's funny and frightening play, and relish the chance to introduce these strange, lovely, and awful characters to new audiences," said Shoemaker. "The Athenaeum has created a great home for artists in the city, and we're so pleased to be partnering with them."

The Ruckus has also announced their nine newest ensemble and company members: Bryan Bosque, Kristin Davis, Beth Lach, Kate Leslie, Carmen Molina, Jillian Rea, Nicholas Shaw, Mike Steele, and Zachary Webb.

Last, The Ruckus has announced that ensemble member Elise Mayfield will be competing for an apron on FOX's MasterChef, which premieres on Monday, May 26 at 7 p.m. CST. Information on upcoming watch parties will be posted on Facebook.com/TheRuckusTheater.

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