Trap Door Theatre Extends the word progress... Thru 1/21

The U.S. premiere of the word progress on my mother's lips doesn't ring true extends at Trap Door Theatre. 

Written by: Matei Visniec
Translated by: Joyce Nettles
Directed by: István Szabó K

Cast: Antonio Brunetti, Wladyslaw Byrdy, Malcolm Callan, Simina Contras, Kevin Cox, John Kahara, Beata Pilch, Nicole Wiesner

Matei Visniec playwright, poet and journalist, was born in Romania, and now lives in Paris. He began writing for the theatre in 1977. Early in his career Visniec's plays were banned by the Romanian censors. In 1987 he was invited to France by a literary foundation. While there, he asked for and received political asylum. After the fall of communism in Romania, in 1989, Visniec became one of the most performed playwrights in the country. Visniec gained international attention in 1992, with productions of Horses at the Window in France, and Old Clown Wanted at the "Bonner Biennale". Since then, Matei Visniec's work has been produced in France, Germany, United States, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, Romania, and Moldavia. Most recently, his play The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips Doesn't Ring True was the winner of the "Best Play in the Off-section" at the Avignon Festival in 2009.

István Szabó K. Born in Romania, István Szabó K. has worked throughout Romania, Hungary and Germany. He graduated from the University of Targu Mures, Romania in 2000. He has served as the Theatre Director of the Hungarian State Theatre in Timisoara, and the Young Theatre in Piatra Neamt. At the Tomcsa Sandor Theatre in Odorheiu Secuiesc he held several positions, including Artistic Director, General Manager and the Theatre Director. Mr. Szabó has also worked as the resident director at the Arca Independent Theatre in Bucharest, and currently, is the Artistic Director of Szigligeti Hungarian State Theatre in Oradea. Most notable productions include The Could Child at the Radu Stanca National Theatre in Sibiu, Edward at the Romanian National Theatre in Timisoara, The Temptation at Euro Theater Central in Bonn and most recently Mausoleum at the Hungarian State Theatre in Oradea. Awards for his directorial work include: The Imagine International Festival for The Wedding, TopFest National Festival for Le Enfant Terribles and the Interethnic Theatre Festival "Press Prize" for Teibale and her Demon.

Set Designer Mike Mroch / Lighting Designer Richard Norwood / Costume Designer Tonette Navarro / Music Composer Ovidiu Iloc/ Sound Designer Chris Kriz / Stage Manager Allison Raynes/ Asstistant Stage Manager Lisa Much/ Make up Designer Zsofia Otvos / Specialty Props MerEdith Miller / Graphic Designer Michal Janicki/ Dramaturg Milan Pribisic

When: Now Closing: Saturday January 21, 2012 at 8PM
Runs: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8PM
There will be no performances on Saturday, December 31.
Admission: $20, with two for one admission on Thursdays, $25 on Saturdays ($10 off with Toy Drive)
Where: TRAP DOOR THEATRE 1655 West Cortland Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
For Information/Reservations: 773-384-0494 To purchase online www.trapdoortheatre.com

Guest Hungarian/Romanian director István K. Szabó captures the signature comic/tragic surrealism of Matei Visniec's The Word Progress on My Mother's Lips Doesn't Ring True. Winner of the "Best Play in the Off-section" at the Avignon Festival in 2009″ this American Premiere delves into the pits of refugee psyche, a metaphysical space where one continuously runs from a place with nothing left, to a place with nothing to offer. This collaboration is made possible with the generous support of the Cultural Services of the French Consulate in Chicago and a grant from the Trust for Mutual Understanding in New York.

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