Village Players Presents SAVAGE IN LIMBO as Part of WOMEN ON THE CUTTING EDGE Series; Opens 1/23/10

John Patrick Shanley's provocative "Savage in Limbo" continues Village Players Theatre's "Women on the Cutting Edge" Series for its Studio Theater. The show, directed by Jacque Lueken, will open on January 23rd, 2010.

Although Denise and Linda are old school friends, their issues are worlds apart. Denise is a loner who at the ripe old age of 32 hasn't yet lost her virginity, although she would rather lose it as soon as possible. Linda can never be alone, with a long line of boyfriends and the illegitimate children of these unions. A chance to change everything happens when Linda's current boyfriend, Tony, decides to dump Linda for "ugly chicks" who read books. Denise decides that this is an opportunity, and decides to go after Tony. Set in a bar where the bartender is content to keep the glasses full, not everyone can win at the end of this dramedy.

Author John Patrick Shanley hails from the Bronx, NY. For his script for the 1987 film, Moonstruck, Shanley won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen. In 2005, Shanley's play Doubt: A Parable was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Play. As well his screen adaptation of his play "Doubt", featuring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, which Shanley also directed was nominated for Five Academy Awards.

Directed by Jacque Lueken, the cast includes JorDan Blythe, Chris Conley, Pasquale Didiana, Johnny Minea and Lauren Sivak. Designers for the show include Drew David(lights), Annalee Johnson(set) and Emma Weber(costume). Whitney Powell is the stage manager.

"Savage in Limbo" is part of the "Women on the Cutting Edge Series", where Village Players showcases female playwrights or characters who have an "edgy" sensibility. All of the shows are staged in the intimate Studio Theater. It started with Willaim Gibson's "The Miracle Worker", directed by Megan Wells (Sept. 12th to Oct. 4th, 2009), which closed to rave reviews from both the Wednesday Journal and the Chicago Reader. Followng "Savage in Limbo" is "Mud" by Maria Irene Fornes, directed by Lawrence Keller (Mar 26--Apr 25, 2010). Mae struggles to get ahead in her life as she finds that the men closest to her are holding her back. The last show of the series is "Polaroid Stories" by Naomi Iizuka directed by Kyra Lewandowski (June 10--July 18, 2010). This play marries the human side of ancient myths with the psychological struggles of modern urban youth.

"Savage in Limbo" has previews on Thursday, January 21st and Friday, January 22nd, at 7:30pm with $10 tickets. The show officially opens on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 7:30pm. It closes on Sunday, February 21st, 2010. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors over 65 and students with a valid I.D. Group rates are available for parties of six or more. Thursday and Sunday are 2 for 1 tickets prices. All performances will be found at the Village Players Performing Arts Center, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. The theater is near the Harlem exit of I-290 and is also accessible by the CTA Green and Blue lines. Plenty of parking is available on the street. The theater is handicapped accessible but please do call ahead to arrange for special seating. You can find more information by calling 866-764-1010 or visiting www.village-players.org.

Village Players Theater, a non-profit organization founded in 1961, promotes the arts through theatrical productions and educational programs that encourage cultural understanding and embrace diversity in the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding communities. Village Players Theater is proud to be a vibrant part of Oak Park's cultural history, promoting a creative spirit that comes alive in its productions and educational programs. Each production features some of Chicagoland's most promising and talented professional performers and designers. Village Players Theater is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the West Suburban Theatre Connection.

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