Writers' Theatre Presents Premiere of Brett Neveu's DO THE HUSTLE 1/25-3/20

Writers' Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce the world premiere of DO THE HUSTLE by Brett Neveu. The production, directed by William Brown, runs January 25-March 20, 2011, at Writers' Theatre, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. The press performance is on Thursday, February 3, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.

Sam and Eddie Sisson are more than just father and son; they're a crack team of hustlers always looking for the next mark. Sam, just a teenager who has practically raised himself, now wants to distinguish himself from his father and strike out on his own. Eddie doesn't want to let his son go without one final hustle, which could bring in their biggest take yet, but could ultimately tear them apart.

"Bringing new work to the stage is one of the most important programs in the life of any theatre. Revivals are certainly crucial to the identity of Writers' Theatre but if we don't put our resources into staging the original works of living playwrights, then eventually there will be no classics left to revive," says Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "Brett is a significant rising voice in the American theatre and he is in sound hands with William Brown at the helm. In a short amount of time, Bill has proven himself to be a significant interpreter (and author) of new work and he and Brett make a remarkable team. Bill has put together an enviably good cast and a highly skilled and experienced design team to bring this breakthrough, vital new script to life." DO THE HUSTLE is the second work Writers' has commissioned from playwright Brett Neveu through its Literary Development Initiative. The first commission, OLD GLORY directed by William Brown received its world premiere production at Writers' Theatre during the 2008/09 Season.

The cast features Patrick Andrews, Francis Guinan, Joe Minoso and Karen Janes Woditsch.

The designers are Kevin Depinet (scenic), Charles Cooper (lighting), Rachel Anne Healy (costumes) and Andrew Hansen (sound). The production stage manager is David Castellanos.

About the artists:

Patrick Andrews (Sam Sisson), making his Writers' Theatre debut, has recently appeared in AMERICAN BUFFALO (Steppenwolf Theatre), CABARET (Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace), THE ACTOR (Goodman Theatre), STUPID KIDS (About Face Theatre), THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE, SPEECH AND DEBATE (American Theatre Company), THE SNOW QUEEN (Victory Gardens Theatre), INTO THE WOODS (Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire), WILLY WONKA (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), THE SPARROW (House Theatre of Chicago) and DORIAN (Bailiwick Theatre). Other regional credits include AMERICAN BUFFALO (McCarter Theatre), SAVED (Kansas City Repertory) and WEST SIDE STORY (Walnut Street Theatre). He also performed in a national tour of Broadway's FOSSE. Film credits include the upcoming One Small Hitch. Television credits include the upcoming premiere of Chicago Code. He has choreographed David Cromer's Cherrywood (Mary-Arrchie Theatre), Queertopia (About Face Theatre), Go, Dog. Go! (Chicago Children's Theatre) and Bible B-Sides (Sinnerman Ensemble). He is devising a performance/instillation for Chicago's XYZ Festival this May and starring in the premiere of THE HOMOSEXUALS this summer (About Face Theatre). He is an ensemble member of American Theatre Company, an artistic associate with About Face Theatre, a member of the queer-electronic-f*#% band DAAN, a student of Black Box Acting Studio and a member of Goldmine.

Francis Guinan (Eddie Sisson), making his Writers' Theatre debut, has appeared in ENDGAME, AMERICAN BUFFALO, FAKE, ART, KAFKA ON THE SHORE, THE SEAFARER, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), THE SEAGULL (Goodman Theatre), A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED (Joseph Jefferson Award, Victory Gardens Theater) and INHERIT THE WIND (Northlight Theatre). Regional credits include THE WEIR, GOD'S MAN IN TEXAS (Geffen Playhouse), SPACE, STUFF HAPPENS (Mark Taper Forum), 1776 (Reprise Theatre Company), THE GREAT TENNESSEE MONKEY TRIAL (L.A. Theatre Works) and many others. Off-Broadway credits include TRUE WEST, BALM IN GILEAD, LANDSCAPE OF THE BODY. Broadway credits include AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, AS IS, and A NIGHTINGALE SANG. Film credits include The Last Airbender, Low Tide, Typing, Constantine, Path to War, Speed 2 and Hannibal. Television credits include Chicago Code, The Beast, Grey's Anatomy, Eerie, Indiana, The Mighty Jungle, and many others.

Joe Minoso (Marcos Dija, Larry Bane, Vernon Keller and Rich Sherrit), making his Writers' Theatre debut, is the associate artistic director for Teatro Vista. Acting credits include Don Pedro in THE SINS OF SOR JUANA, Erik in Teatro Vista's MASSACRE (Sing to Your Children) at Goodman Theatre, Alejandro Arroyo in WELCOME TO ARROYO'S (American Theatre Company), Eusebio in Jose Rivera' BOLEROS FOR THE DISENCHANTEDYale Repertory Theatre), Don Luis in ESPERANZA RISING (Chicago Children's Theatre), George Gibbs in OUR TOWN (Madison Repertory Theatre), Officer Freddy Fernandez in BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER(Teatro Vista), Angelo in SHORT SHAKESPEARE! COMEDY OF ERRORS (Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and Bobby in LIVING OUT (co-production American Theater Company and Teatro Vista). He was the assistant director for Victory Gardens and Teatro Vista's co-production of THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. He will direct his first production for Teatro Vista this spring, the world premiere of FREEDOM NY. Television credits include guest starring roles in Prison Break and The Beast. He can currently be seen as Jorge Sanchez in Chicago Code on FOX.

Karen Janes Woditsch (Laura Dawdry, Mattie Sisson and Shelly Durbala) returns to Writers' Theatre where she performed as Gertrude in ROSENKRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, Emelia in OTHELLO (After Dark Award), Masha in SEAGULL, Jennifer Dubidat in THE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA and Belle Stark in ROCKET TO THE MOON, among many others. Chicago credits include Julia Child in TO MASTER THE ART (TimeLine Theatre Company), five seasons of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, CRUMBS FROM THE TALBE OF JOY (Goodman Theatre), TAMING OF THE SHREW, MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and THE CHALK GARDEN (Northlight Theatre). She has also appeared in productions at Theatre at the Center, Shakespeare on the Green, Shaw Chicago and others. Regionally she has appeared in five seasons at Peninsula Players Theatre.

Brett Neveu (Playwright) returns to Writers' Theatre after his world premiere of OLD GLORY. Current Productions include THE EARL (The Inconvenience) and ODRADEK (The House Theatre of Chicago). Recent past work includes productions with The Royal Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, A Red Orchid Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company and American Theatre Company. He is the recipient of the Ofner Prize for New Work, the Emerging Artist Award from The League of Chicago Theatres, an After Dark Award for Outstanding Musical (OLD TOWN with Strawdog Theatre Company), and has developed plays with companies including The New Group, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theater and is a resident-alum with Chicago Dramatists. He is also an ensemble member of A Red Orchid Theatre, a member of The Playwrights' Union and a member of the Center Theatre Group's Playwrights' Workshop. Neveu has been commissioned by The Royal Court Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, Writers' Theatre, Strawdog Theatre and has several of his plays published through Broadway Play Publishing and Dramatic Publishing. He has taught writing at Northwestern University, DePaul University, Second City Training Center and currently lives in Los Angeles.

William Brown (Director) returns to Writers' Theatre after directing the world premiere of Brett Neveu's OLD GLORY, in addition to AS YOU LIKE IT, ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST, ARMS AND THE MAN, OUR TOWN, ROCKET TO THE MOON, MISALLIANCE, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Arthur Miller's INCIDENT AT VICHY and performed as Henry Kissinger in NIXON'S NIXON (Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor). He has directed Goodman Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL for the last five seasons. Additional Chicago credits include LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, THE CHALK GARDEN and his own adaptation with music of SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER (Northlight Theatre). Regional credits include HAY FEVER, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, A MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT DREAM, NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, George Bernard Shaw's YOU NEVER CAN TELL, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, ALL'S WELL THAT END'S WELL, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, TWELFTH NIGHT and Thornton Wilder's THE MATCHMAKER (American Players Theatre). He recently co-wrote with Doug Frew and directed the world premiere of TO MASTER THE ART, Tennessee Williams' NOT ABOUT NIGHTINGALES and the Chicago premieres of two Steven Dietz plays HALCYON DAYS and PARAGON SPRINGS at TimeLine Theatre Company. He is the associate artistic director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks where he most recently directed ROMEO AND JULIET. He is a member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Ticket information:
Performances are January 25-March 20, 2011. The press performance is on Thursday, February 3, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. Curtain times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m (except no 7:30 performance on Wednesday, February 9); Thursdays and Fridays 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. There will be no 6:00 p.m. performance on March 20. Wednesday matinees will be performed at 2:00 p.m. on February 9 and March 16.

Tickets are $45-$65 and are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe; 847-242-6000 or online at www.writerstheatre.org.

About The Literary Development Initiative:
In the 2004/05 Season, thanks to the generosity of David & Mary Winton Green, Writers' Theatre launched its formalized Literary Development Initiative, establishing a dialogue between the theatre and noted playwrights from across the United States in order to commission, develop and produce new and adapted works.

During the 2008/09 Season, Writers' produced two world premieres commissioned and developed through the program: OLD GLORY by Brett Neveu and A MINISTER'S WIFE. A MINISTER'S WIFE was Writers' first musical, and a major theatrical project developed through workshops over the course of four years. During the 2010/11 Season, Writers' is producing two world premieres-Brett Neveu's DO THE HUSTLE, directed by William Brown; and Keith Huff's THE DETECTIVE'S WIFE, directed by Gary Griffin.

Writer's Wednesday's:

Post-show discussions will be held every Wednesday after evening performances as part of the Audience Enrichment Program starting February 16. Join the artistic staff and actors from the production after the performance for an in-depth conversation. For more information, visit writerstheatre.org/enrichment

Tweet Seats:

Follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter (Twitter.com/WritersTheatre) and everyday by 3pm, Writers' will Tweet a code that can be used to purchase remaining seats for that day's performance at a discount. Tweet Seats are available for purchase only through the Writers' Theatre website at writerstheatre.org.

Writers' Partners:
Writers' Theatre is thrilled to welcome back Urban Innovations as Production Sponsor for DO THE HUSTLE. Previously, Urban Innovations sponsored THE OLD SETTLER in 2010 and two world premiere productions: OLD GLORY in 2008 and THE SAVANNAH DISPUTATION in 2007.

The Writers' Theatre season is underwritten, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Writers' Theatre welcomes back 2010/11 Season Restaurant Partner, Winnetka's award-winning Restaurant Michael. Featuring impeccably crafted cuisine of the freshest local and organic ingredients, Restaurant Michael prepares classic, haute cuisine, in a unique and contemporary presentation with French country flair. Writers' Theatre patrons receive 10% off their guest check when they present their ticket stub when ordering. Just 10 minutes from the theater at 64 Green Bay Road, Restaurant Michael is the perfect fit for any dining occasion. Call 847-441-3100 to make your reservation.

For more information about Writers' 2010/11 Season Restaurant Partners and offer restrictions visit writerstheatre.org/visitus.

About Writer's Theatre:
Writers' Theatre is a professional company focusing on the Word and the Artist. Remaining true to the intention of the playwright and nurturing the artist stand at the center of the mission. Now in its 19th season, the company both revives classic scripts and cultivates new works and adaptations while invigorating them with fresh energy in the intimacy of its venues. Founded in 1992, Writers' Theatre performed exclusively at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue for the first 12 years. In the fall of 2003, the organization opened a new 108 seat performance venue at 325 Tudor Court. Today, Writers' Theatre continues to produce in both spaces, maintaining an intimate theatrical experience for audiences. Since 2000, the subscriber base has grown almost 250%, from 1,500 to more than 5,700 today. With an operating budget of $3.4 million, Writers' Theatre is supported by a staff of 20 full-time employees and a 31-member Board of Trustees.

You can find Writers' Theatre on Facebook or follow Writers' Theatre on Twitter at Twitter.com/WritersTheatre. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.

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