Writers Theatre to Present Conor McPherson's PORT AUTHORITY, 10/29-2/16/2014

Writers Theatre continues its 2013-14 season with the Midwest Premiere of Port Authority by Conor McPherson, directed by William Brown. The production runs October 29, 2013 - February 16, 2014 at 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The press openings are November 6 and November 7, 2013 at 7:30pm.

Acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson (The Seafarer, Shining City, Dublin Carol) crafts a series of interconnected stories that explore the heart and soul of three generations of Irishmen.

A young man escapes his parents' house to share digs with two alcohol-soaked friends and a mesmerizing young woman; a middle-aged laborer lands a dream job that he's not remotely qualified for; and a widower receives a mysterious package that touches a hidden part of his memory. The lightly interlocking stories of these three men at three different stages of life weave together a tale that is both spirited and moving in its portrait of ordinary lives.

Directed by Writers Theatre favorite William Brown (The Liar, A Little Night Music, Heartbreak House), Port Authority revels in the rough lyricism of McPherson's language and the poignancy of these stories of lost love, big dreams and the consequences of even our smallest choices.

"With Port Authority we begin our season of McPherson in the Bookstore" said Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. "His plays are scenic dialogues between audience and actor, perfectly suited for the intimacy of the bookstore and the company's adherence to the word and the artist. Subtle, understated and gently seductive, this master storyteller spins remarkable yarns from the lives of unremarkable people. Through this extraordinary cast and with one of Chicago's finest directors at the helm, this regional premiere is positioned to make a powerful debut at our bookstore theatre."

The cast of Port Authority includes Patrick Clear, Rob Fenton and John Hoogenakker. The creative team includes Martin Andrew (scenic); Rachel Laritz(costumes); Sarah Hughey (lights); Andrew Hansen (sound) and Julie Eberhardt (props). The stage mananger is Dana Nestrick.

William Brown returns to Writers Theatre where he has directed Joseph Jefferson nominated productions of The Liar, A Little Night Music, Heartbreak House, As You Like It, Another Part of the Forest, Arms and the Man, Our Town, Rocket to the Moon, Misalliance, The Glass Menagerie, Incident at Vichy and the world premieres of Brett Neveu's Old Glory and Do the Hustle. He directed and wrote (with Doug Frew) To Master the Art, a play about Julia and Paul Child in Paris (TimeLine Theatre Company) which is currently playing this fall at The Broadway Playhouse. Also at TimeLine Theatre Company, he most recently directed the world premiere of Wasteland by Susan Felder. He directed Skylight (Court Theatre) and Fallen Angels (Indiana Repertory Theatre). He has directed 13 productions at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI, including Troilus and Cressida, The Critic, Hay Fever, The Comedy of Errors, Night of the Iguana, Antony and Cleopatra,The Matchmaker and this summer, All My Sons. He is Associate Artistic Director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. Brown received a Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Henry Kissinger in Writers Theatre's Nixon's Nixon.

Patrick Clear (Joe) makes his Writers Theatre debut. He has appeared in more than 60 productions in the Chicago area, including Meet Vera Stark, Teddy Ferrara, Race and The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? (Goodman Theatre), The March (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Seascape (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company), The Madness Of George III, As You Like It and Measure For Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), The Miser, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and Pride and Prejudice(Northlight Theatre). His regional credits include appearances at the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Arena Stage, Guthrie Theater, American Shakespeare Theatre, Centerstage, Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Huntington Theatre and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. He appeared on Broadway in Noises Off and Hollywood Arms. Film and Television credits include The Dark Knight, Boss, Losing Isaiah, The Untouchablesand Early Edition.

Rob Fenton (Kevin) makes his Writers Theatre debut. Fenton is a proud, founding ensemble member of The Alluvium Group. He was most recently seen in Boston, MA for the national tour of columbinus with American Theater Company. Other Chicago credits include The Big Meal (Joseph Jefferson Award Best Ensemble), columbinus (American Theater Company),The Twins Would Like To Say (Dog and Pony Theatre Company) The Hostage, Port (Griffin Theatre),Cherrywood (Mary Arrchie Theatre Co.), The Terrible True Story of Pinocchio, the Wooden Boy, as Told by Frankenstein's Monster, the Wretched Creature (The Neo-Futurists) Too Much Memory (Sinnerman Ensemble), Princes of Waco (Signal Ensemble Theatre), The Gospel of Franklin (Steppenwolf Theatre Company) and The History Boys (Joseph Jefferson Award Best Ensemble, Best Production; TimeLine Theatre Company).

John Hoogenakker (Dermot) returns to Writers Theatre where previous credits include Travels with My Aunt, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and ThePuppetmaster of Lodz. Chicago credits include Other Desert Cities, The Iceman Cometh (Goodman Theatre), Wait Until Dark (Court Theatre), 100 Saints You ShouldKnow (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), The Retreat From Moscow (Northlight Theatre), Othello (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Killer Joe (The Theatre at 2851 Halsted) and The Bomb-Itty Of Errors (The Royal George and Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Regional credits include Escape From Happiness (Milwaukee Repertory Theater), the role of Hamlet (Illinois Shakespeare Festival) and Work Song: Three Views of Frank Lloyd Wright (Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Arizona Theatre Company). Film: Flags of Our Fathers (Warner Brothers), The Lucky Ones (Lionsgate), Public Enemies (Universal), A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas (New Line), At Any Price (Sony). Television: ER (NBC), The Beast (A&E), Gifted Hands (TNT), Boss (Starz), Chicago Fire (NBC). Hoogenakker's voice-over work includes campaigns for McDonald's, Miller, OnStar and Comcast.

Performances are October 29, 2013 - February 16, 2014 at 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The press openings are November 6 and November 7, 2013 at 7:30pm. Curtain times are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00pm and 6:00pm. Tickets are $35-$65 and are available at the Box Office, 376 Park Avenue, Glencoe; 847-242-6000 or online at www.writerstheatre.org.

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