The Rukus Theater Presents HEIST PLAY At The Side Project Theatre 8/16-19, 23-26

The Ruckus Theater is making some noise with its inaugural Chicago production and 2009/2010 world-premiere season opener Heist Play by Mitch Vermeersch, directed by Ruckus Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker. A black comedy that deconstructs the film noir formula and turns archetypes inside out, Heist Play follows three sad and desperate misfits-portrayed by Chicago actors Joshua Davis, Melissa Pryor and Byron Melton-in their attempt to plan the perfect heist, pull the perfect con or find some way to force a plot twist-no matter what it costs. In conjunction with Heist Play, The Ruckus also hosts Noir Bar, a film noir themed fundraiser at The Spot (4437 N Broadway) on August 6 beginning at 7pm; cover is $15. Heist Play is performed at The Side Project Theatre August 16 - 19 & 23 - 26, 2009. All performances are at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. A teaser trailer for Heist Play can be viewed here.

"I am thrilled to be directing The Ruckus' premiere in Chicago," said Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker. "Heist Play was a wonderful opportunity for us to work with a number of talented and gutsy theater artists and I couldn't be happier with our arrival on Chicago's storefront theater scene."

When their world of cheap beer and empty wallets closes in on them, three out-of-luck drunks, Nick (Joshua Davis), Tommy (Byron Melton) and Marianne (Melissa Pryor), decide to plan the perfect heist, just like in the movies. It isn't long before they realize their perfect heist would make the perfect film. As the line blurs between what is real and what is scripted, Nick and Marianne leave Tommy in the dust-or perhaps it's Tommy and Marianne who are out to pull a fast one on Nick. One thing is certain: there's a drunk assassin on their tail, and he's got a bad liver, a broken heart and a very big gun. Nick, Tommy and Marianne take off on the run and end up miles apart-but could they ever shake each other to begin with?

Playwright Mitch Vermeerch hails originally from Clinton Township MI. He has a BA in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University and sometimes a beard. His plays have been produced at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, The Black Hills Theater in Grand Rapids MI and The Hygienic Art Park in New London CT. In 2007 he was a member of the National Theater Institute's Theatermakers Program at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford CT. He is a founding member of The Ruckus Theater and currently lives in Chicago where he performs music and roots against Chicago sports teams with a fervent passion.

Director Allison Shoemaker is the Artistic Director and a Co-Founder of The Ruckus Theater. Directing credits for The Ruckus include Apple Frog Baseball, I Do Not Speak the Language, Three Lennon Fugue, Fore Play and the forthcoming Linear A. Other directing credits include Private Eyes, Arbor Day and Am I Blue (York Arena Theatre). Allison also served as Producer for 365 Days/Plays at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. When not fighting for truth, justice and the right of the playwright to revise in the rehearsal room, Allison writes things that sometimes get published. Recent credits include admit2, The Pedestal and Chicago's own Contrary Magazine. She is overly fond of semicolons, 35mm film, science jokes, Walt Whitman and really excellent drummers.

Tickets to Heist Play are $10 and may be purchased online at RuckusTheater.org, by e-mail at tickets@ruckustheater.org or by phone at 773.769.RCKS(7257). The Ruckus also hosts Noir Bar at The Spot (4437 N Broadway), a film noir themed fundraiser benefiting the company's world-premiere production of Heist Play by Mitch Vermeersch. Featured entertainment includes the ukulele-stylings of Katie Canavan, singer-songwriter Mitch Mead on guitar, rap group Money Money Money and noir-inspired portraiture by Irma Hapsari-Ahadiah. Noir inspired attire is strongly encouraged. Cover is $15. Doors open at 7pm with open bar 7:30-8:30pm. After the open bar, $1 from each drink purchased benefits The Ruckus.

Chicago is officially one theater company richer after The Ruckus Theater recently karate-chopped and high-fived its way into the Central Time Zone. Made up of an industrious group of Michigan ex-pats, The Ruckus is composed of actors, directors, playwrights, musicians, casting directors, publicity managers, grant writers, baristas, grad students, poets, computer fixers, appointment-makers and census-takers who aim to create a new kind of company-a casteless theater that blends the lines between playwright and actor, audience and company member. The Ruckus Theater is led by Artistic Director Allison Shoemaker and Managing Director Ryan Dolley.

The company's inaugural Chicago season is produced as part of the side project's Visiting Artist Series and is comprised of three world-premiere productions: Heist Play by Mitch Vermeersch, Tell It & Speak It & Think It & Breathe It devised by members of the company and contributing artists, and Linear A by Ryan Dolley. In addition, The Ruckus presents two workshop productions: Joshua's Play by Ryan Dolley in collaboration with Filament Theatre Ensemble and 11-Detroit devised by members of the company. Prior to The Ruckus' recent move to Chicago the company was based in Kalamazoo MI, where it produced such popularly acclaimed productions as Apple Frog Baseball, The Retreating World and Fore Play, in addition to a developmental reading of Linear A by Ryan Dolley at Barrow Street Theatre in New York.

We're here to create, to examine, to invent, to explode-to create a ruckus. Our aim is to break down the old models of new work development in order to nurture new forms, great plays and better and smarter artists. We will work together to create vibrant and unexpected new work, spin terrific yarns and build a world in which two things are sacred: the rehearsal room and the audience member. We will be messy; we will be brave; we demand that our theater become both aspect and integral to our community. We will bring the ruckus.

 

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