Hamilton in Chicago Welcomes New Angelica Schuyler And Aaron Burr

Tony nominee MONTEGO GLOVER and GREGORY TRECO

join cast of HAMILTON in Chicago

Montego Glover, a Tony nominee for her performance in MEMPHIS, will join the Chicago company of HAMILTON in the role of Angelica Schuyler starting in early September, it is announced by Jeffrey Seller, producer of HAMILTON.  Ms. Glover makes her HAMILTON debut in Chicago, replacing Karen Olivo, who takes her final bow as Angelica on August 6. 



Daniel Breaker has been playing the role of Aaron Burr in Chicago since April 11, 2017; his final performance will be August 20.  Current Broadway company member Gregory Treco will replace Breaker in Chicago on September 8.



Montego Glover was nominated for the Tony Award for her role in the musical MEMPHIS, winning a Drama Desk and OCC Award for her performance. She has appeared on Broadway, as well, in LES MISERABLES, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, THE COLOR PURPLE, and won her second Drama Desk for THE ROYALE at Lincoln Center Theater.  Montego’s television credits include “The Following,” “Black Box,” “Hostages,” “Smash,” and “The Good Wife.”

Gregory Treco is an actor, singer and dancer from Nassau, Bahamas. He has appeared on Broadway in TABOO on Broadway. Off-Broadway credits include hit ZANNA DON’T, where he created the role of Zanna, MIRACLE BROTHERS at the Vineyard Theatre (directed by Tina Landau), and the World Premiere of Neil Berg and Robert Schenkkan's THE 12 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Gregory was a finalist on WB's television show “Popstars.” TV credits include a guest-starring role on the CBS sitcom “Whoopi.” He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, music direction/orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.  The musical won eleven 2016 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Score, Book of a Musical, Direction of a Musical, Choreography and Orchestrations.  Mr. Miranda received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for HAMILTON.

HAMILTON is the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War, and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary.  Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

HAMILTON performs on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 W. 46th St.), and in Chicago at The PrivateBank Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.)  The first national touring production of HAMILTON moves to the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles next month.

For information on HAMILTON, visit, www.HamiltonOnBroadway.com, www.Facebook.com/HamiltonMusical,
www.Instagram.com/ and www.Twitter.com/HamiltonMusical.



ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.

For more information and performance schedule, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

REVIEW: American in Paris Charms With Iconic Tunes And Romantic Entanglements To Spare

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS 

at Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre Through August 13th

**The running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes with an intermission**

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, the most awarded new musical of 2015 and winner of four Tony Awards®, will play Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph) for a limited three-week engagement 

now through Aug. 13, 2017.

Review:

Though merely two years old, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS has retro charm, a compelling post WWII vibe, and staying power, with a score chock full of familiar romantic favorites. We're entranced with this winner of four Tony Awards® and multiple other accolades, inspired by the Academy-Award winning film, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Highly recommended.

The score of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS includes the songs "I Got Rhythm," "Liza," "'’S Wonderful," "But Not For Me," "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise," and orchestral music including "Concerto in F," "Second Prelude," "Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture" and "An American In Paris."

The set design itself is fairly simplistic, however the ever changing projections bring the 1940's Paris art scene and architecture to life in a breathtaking and fun montage of imagery.

SARA ESTY (Lise Dassin) bears a striking resemblance to Tatiana Maslany, of Orphan Black fame. She capably plays the ballerina with 3 beaus and a slew of secrets, with a delicate and delightful balance. McGEE MADDOX (Jerry Mulligan) is also a standout. This celebration of the arts, friendship, and the inescapable pull of true love, is a must see.

Inspired by the Academy-Award winning film, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS is the romantic story about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Directed and choreographed by 2015 Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, the show features the music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, and a book by Craig Lucas.

The creative team is also comprised of Tony Award-winners Bob Crowley (set and costume designer) and Natasha Katz (lighting designer); Jon Weston (sound designer); 59 Productions (projection designer); Rob Fisher (musical score adaption, arrangement and supervision); Todd Ellison (musical supervisor); David Andrews Rogers (musical director/conductor); Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott (orchestrations); Sam Davis (dance arrangements); Telsey + Company/Rachel Hoffman, C.S.A. (casting); Rick Steiger (production supervisor); Dontee Kiehn (associate director and associate choreographer); and Sean Kelly (associate choreographer and resident director).

The production opened to widespread critical acclaim at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2015 after its world premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The New York production closed in October, 2016 after playing more than 600 performances. A West End production of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS opened in March 2017 at the Dominion Theatre.



AN AMERICAN IN PARIS won four 2015 Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards, and two Theatre World Awards. The musical was included on the Year’s Best lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New Yorker, the Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Masterworks Broadway Original Broadway Cast recording of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS was nominated for the Best Musical Theater Album Grammy Award.



The producing team includes Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan and Roy Furman by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, Pittsburgh CLO and Théâtre du Châtelet.

For more information, visit www.AnAmericanInParisBroadway.com.



PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Fridays at 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (no evening performances on Aug. 6 and Aug. 13)

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at the Oriental Theatre range from $27 - $103. A select number of premium seats are also available for many performances. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000 and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 17 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining well up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including The PrivateBank Theatre, the Oriental Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Facebook @BroadwayInChicago ● Twitter @broadwaychicago ● Instagram @broadwayinchicago ● #broadwayinchicago

CAST BIOS: 
McGEE MADDOX (Jerry Mulligan) trained at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy, joining Houston Ballet as an Apprentice in 2005. He joined The National Ballet of Canada in 2009 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2014. Maddox debuted as Leontes in The Winter’s Tale, Albrecht in Giselle, and L’Aviateur in the world premiere of Le Petit Prince. He has danced principal roles in numerous ballets including Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Onegin, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Hamlet among many others. He has performed contemporary works by John Neumeier, Alexei Ratmansky, James Kudelka, Wayne McGregor and Jorma Elo.

SARA ESTY (Lise Dassin): Broadway: An American in Paris (OBC ensemble, Lise alternate). Théâtre du Châtelet: An American in Paris (Lise standby). Former soloist with the Miami City Ballet. Training: Maine State Ballet, School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet School. Sara received a Princess Grace Fellowship Award for excellence in dance, and has performed various works by Balanchine, Robbins, Tharp, Taylor, Scarlett, Ratmansky, Wheeldon, and Peck. Special thanks to the ever growing AAIP team and family, and BRS/Gage. For M, D, L, my family, and the man I love. Vive la France! @estygrl

ETAI BENSON (Adam Hochberg): Thrilled to be bringing Paris to North America! Broadway/National Tour: Boq in Wicked. Regional: Fortress of Solitude (Premiere, Dallas Theatre Center), My Name is Asher Lev (GableStage), A Room With a View (Premiere, Old Globe). Workshops: The Band’s Visit, Little Miss Sunshine. Training: University of Michigan and Moscow Art Theatre. Thanks to The Talent House, Christopher and Rachel. For my family - Je t'aime. www.etaibenson.com @etaibenson

EMILY FERRANTI (Milo Davenport): Thrilled to be a part of the original touring company of such a beautiful production! Broadway: Wicked. National Tour: Wicked (Nessarose), Dreamgirls (Sweetheart). Radio City Spring Spectacular. Regional: Annie (Grace) at Maltz Jupiter Theatre. TV: “Forever.” Graduate of The Boston Conservatory. Thank you to Christopher and Rachel, CGF, and John for always supporting me even if it means leaving town again! Twitter-@emfernful

GAYTON SCOTT (Madame Baurel): Broadway: Gypsy starring Bernadette Peters directed by Sam Mendes, The Women starring Cynthia Nixon, Present Laughter starring Frank Langella. Other NY theater includes The New Group, The Culture Project, Here among others. TV/Film: “Law&Order: CI,” “Guiding Light,” “As the World Turns,” “Great Performances PBS,” Forbidden Love, PS I Love You. Gayton studied acting with William Esper.

NICK SPANGLER (Henri Baurel): Original Broadway casts of The Book of Mormon, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and It Shoulda Been You, in which he created the role of the best man, Greg Madison. His Off-Broadway performance as Matt in The Fantasticks garnered him the Theater Hall of Fame Elaine and Jerry Orbach Fellowship Award. In 2008 Nick was the winner of the reality series “The Amazing Race” on CBS.

LEIGH-ANN ESTY (Lise Alternate/ Ensemble): Leigh-Ann is thrilled to be joining the tour of AAIP! After 12 years dancing with Miami City Ballet, she is excited to take on a new adventure. Huge thanks to M, D, and S for their unconditional love and support. Let's do this!

RYAN STEELE (Jerry Alternate/Ensemble): Broadway: Newsies (Astaire Award nom), Matilda, West Side Story, Billy Elliot. Film/TV: Ted 2, Five Dances, NBC's Peter Pan Live, Smash. Big thanks to Laurie, Dustin and the AAIP team. All the love to family, DDPC and Char.

POLLY BAIRD (Ensemble) has appeared in the Broadway and Touring companies of Phantom of the Opera, and a Kennedy Center production of Little Dancer. Much love to her incredible parents for their unending support. Thanks to Renee and the team at About Artists, Denny, Seth, Stro, and especially Laird. @pollyebaird

KAROLINA BLONSKI (Ensemble): Broadway: West Side Story. National Tours: West Side Story, Movin' Out, and Joseph...Dreamcoat. NYC/Vegas: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The New York Spectacular, and Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers! Thanks to Dustin, the AAIP team, Rachel, Matthew Powell, Dr. Geiger, and love to my Drew, Glen and family :)

BRITTANY BOHN (Ensemble): National tour debut! Regional: Anything Goes, Mame (Goodspeed), Kiss Me Kate (Barrington), Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby (PCLO). Point Park alumna & ATL native. Love to the creative team, Clear Talent Group, and my family! This is for Mom & Dad.

STEPHEN BROWER (Ensemble, u/s Adam, u/s Henri): Overjoyed to hit the road with this beautiful show! Tour: Pippin (Swing, u/s Pippin/Lewis). Regional: MUNY, Connecticut Rep, Lyric Theatre, Cortland Rep. Grosses bises to Mama, Papa, Berta, Telsey, BRS/Gage, and TSU. For pics of food and boys in tights: @stephenbrower

RANDY CASTILLO (Ensemble): Broadway tour debut! Born and raised in NYC. Former soloist with Company Nacional de Danza, Dresden Ballet, Opera Ballet de Lyon. Worked with mentors Duato, Forsythe, Lubovitch, Kilian and Millipied. Attended Juilliard. Love to family and teachers. Endless thanks to Lakey and Sofia.

KEVIN A. COSCULLUELA (Returning Soldier, Lise’s Ballet Partner, Ensemble). Born and raised in Miami. At 17 joined Joffrey Ballet School in NYC, followed by Tulsa Ballet Theatre. Performed with Pit Bull, Chris Brown. Also seen on “America’s Got Talent”, “Dance Moms” and as a principal dancer at Disney’s Festival of the Lion King.

JACE CORONADO (Swing, u/s Mr. Z, u/s M. Baurel, u/s Store Manager): Broadway: West Side Story Nat’l Tours: WSS, Guys and Dolls Professional; Metropolitan Opera (Aida, Stroman’s Merry Widow), Broadway-bound Can-Can, Sister Act (Pablo), Curtains! (Aaron Fox), Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio), Oklahoma! (Ali Hakim). Ballet Companies: Ballet Austin, Ballet Memphis, Ballet Trockadero. Instagram: @bwayjace.

ALEXA DE BARR (Ensemble): First National Tour debut! Off-Bway: Trip of Love, BOMBSHELL in concert. Regional: Cabaret, Nice Work..., Singin’ in the Rain (Cyd Charisse), Anything Goes. WSS European Tour. DCL. Love to CTG and my many gems! A_DeBarr

ASHLEE DUPRÉ (Asst. Dance Captain, Swing, u/s Olga, u/s Returning Soldier’s Wife): Broadway: An American in Paris. Off-Broadway: On Your Toes, Where’s Charley? (Encores!): Silence! The Musical. National Tours: Movin’ Out (Brenda Judy). Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary Tour. NYSAF: In Your Arms. The Phantom of the Opera (Las Vegas Spectacular). Colorado Ballet. Love to my family and friends.

ERIKA HEBRON (Swing, u/s Olga): St. Louis, MO Native! National Tour: West Side Story (Swing). Regional: Oklahoma!, Damn Yankees, How to Succeed, The Producers. Proud OCU Grad. Many thanks to blocNYC, Telsey, the entire AAIP creative team, and love to my family and friends!

CHRISTOPHER M. HOWARD (Dance Captain, Swing, u/s Henri, u/s Mr. Z, u/s Returning Soldier, u/s Store Manager, u/s Lise’s Ballet Partner): This marks Christopher’s third US Tour following The Phantom of the Opera (Asst. DC, Swing), and Billy Elliot (Older Billy, Ensemble). Toured internationally with A Chorus Line (Larry), danced for Dayton Ballet, and trained at SUNY Buffalo and the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. Instagram: @Tut85

WESTON KRUKOW (Swing, u/s Mr. Z, u/s Returning Soldier, u/s Lise’s Ballet Partner): National touring debut! Ballet companies: Smuin Ballet, Amy Seiwert's Imagery. Regional: Lyric Opera of Chicago. Weston is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer of "BaseBallet", and proud University of Arizona graduate. Thanks to family, teachers, and Ted for inspiring this adventure!

MARINA LAZZARETTO (Swing, u/s Returning Soldier’s Wife): Marina is thrilled to be joining the AAIP tour! Broadway: An American in Paris, West Side Story. Off Broadway: The New Yorkers, Trip of Love, Doctor Faustus. Tours: Wicked, Come Fly Away. Television: “Best Time Ever”, “The Late Show.” Other: Radio City Christmas Spectacular. @marinalazz

NATHALIE MARRABLE (Swing, u/s Olga): Hailing from South Africa, graduate Boston Ballet School. Madonna (body double/tour), Le Crazy Horse, Natl. Tour The Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty), Vancouver Playhouse Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Asst. Choreo). NYC: Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Dedicated to "Mama."

TOM MATTINGLY (Swing, u/s Returning Soldier, u/s Lise’s Ballet Partner): After dancing with Richmond Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet, Tom became a principal dancer with Ballet West. In 2014, he joined Visceral Dance Chicago and began his freelance choreographic career. Graduate of Virginia School of the Arts. www.TomMattinglyDance.com or on Instagram @TomMattinglyDance.

CAITLIN MEIGHAN (Returning Soldier’s Wife, Ensemble, u/s Lise): Thrilled to be making her National Tour debut after 10 seasons dancing with the Joffrey Ballet. Film: Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance. She is honored to be joining the An American in Paris family. Special thanks to her loving husband, incredible parents, family and friends for all their support.

DON NOBLE (Monsieur Baurel, Store Manager, Ensemble): Broadway: Once, End Of The Rainbow, National Tour of Mamma Mia! (Sam Carmichael). Regional: Jane Austen’s Emma, To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch), James Joyce’s The Dead, Funny Girl, An Ideal Husband, Blood Brothers, Henry IV, The Tempest. TV: “Zero Hour”, “The Blacklist”. www.donnoble.net

SAYIGA EUGENE PEABODY (Swing): Stevensville, MI native of Liberian decent. Dance: Giordano Dance Chicago, Danceworks Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater. Theater: Cats, Anything Goes, Sister Act, Evita (Marriott). Artistic Director of Trilogy School of Performing Arts, Lake Zurich, IL. Thanks to Telsey casting and my loving friends and family.

ALEXANDRA PERNICE (Ensemble, u/s Milo): National Tour: Phantom of the Opera (Meg u/s, corps de ballet). Regional: West Side Story (Graziella), The Music Man. Dance: Orlando City Ballet (Soloist) and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company. Point Park University Graduate. Loving thanks to Telsey Casting, and the creative team, The Krasny Office, family and friends. www.alexandrapernice.com @alexandrapernice

DAVID PROTTAS (Ensemble, u/s Jerry, u/s Adam): A graduate of Toronto’s National Ballet School, David spent the past 10 years with the New York City Ballet, dancing a large range of classical and contemporary repertoire. He is thrilled to be joining the cast of An American in Paris!

DANIELLE SANTOS (Swing, u/s Returning Soldier’s Wife): Previously enjoyed 9 years with San Francisco Ballet and is honored to join the cast of An American in Paris as her musical theatre debut!

LUCAS SEGOVIA (Ensemble): Principal Dancer with Ballet Argentino (Clarin Award - Outstanding Dancer). Also danced with The Joffrey Ballet and Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company. Regional: West Side Story (Bernardo) at Drury Lane (Chicago). He is blessed to be part of this production! Thanks to Chris Wheeldon, family and mama.

KYLE VAUGHN (Mr. Z, Ensemble, u/s M. Baurel): Tours: All Shook Up! (u/s Chad), FAME . World Premieres: Catch Me If You Can, The Nutty Professor. Regional: Arena Stage, Ford’s Theater (Helen Hayes Award), Paper Mill Playhouse, 5th Avenue, Santa Fe Opera, TUTS , Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Grand Ole Opry.

LAURIE WELLS (Olga, Ensemble, u/s Mme. Baurel): Broadway/ Tours: Mamma Mia! (Donna), and Swing! Off- Broadway/ Regional favorites: Trip of Love, Our Sinatra, City of Angels and 42nd Street at Goodspeed, The Full Monty, Ragtime. Thrilled to be sharing the stage again with hubby (Don Noble) and in PARIS no less! www.lauriewells.net

DANA WINKLE (Ensemble, u/s Milo, u/s Mme. Baurel): Tours: Pippin, 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago. Regional: A Chorus Line (Sheila, Cassie), Cabaret (Kost), Damn Yankees (Gloria), Anything Goes (Bonnie), Drowsy Chaperone (Kitty). AEA member/NYU grad. Wife of Brian Ogilvie/mom to Shane. Favorite city: Paris! Infinite gratitude to family. www.danawinkle.com

ERICAWONG(Ensemble):Broadway:TheKingandI. Regional:InYourArms(OldGlobe). NYC:War Paint (workshop). Ballet: Milwaukee Ballet (Michael Pink's Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, La Bohème), Ballet Theatre of Maryland (Dianna Cuatto's Firebird). For my family, friends, and my teachers at Hawaii State Ballet.

BLAKE ZELESNIKAR (Ensemble): Thrilled to be a part of this amazing production! Recent credits include Radio City NY Spectacular, Mariah Carey, Flash Dance the Musical, and Bad Boys of Ballet.

CREATIVE TEAM:
GEORGE GERSHWIN (Composer) was born in Brooklyn in 1898 and began his musical training at 13. At 16 he quit high school to work for a music publisher and soon was writing songs himself. The Gershwins’ shows include the Pulitzer Prize-winning Of Thee I Sing and the folk opera Porgy and Bess. George’s classical masterpieces include “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Concerto in F” and “An American in Paris.” In 1937 George was at the height of his career. While working on the score of The Goldwyn Follies in Hollywood, he collapsed and died of a brain tumor. He was not quite 39 years old.

IRA GERSHWIN (Lyricist). In 1918 Ira began a remarkable collaboration with his younger brother George that lasted until George’s early death in 1937. Their show, Lady, Be Good!, in 1924, became the first of more than 20 scores for stage and screen. In 1935, with DuBose Heyward, they wrote the opera Porgy and Bess. Ira’s collaboration with George, as well as with Vincent Youmans, Harold Arlen, Vernon Duke,

Kurt Weill, Jerry Kern, Aaron Copland, Harry Warren, Arthur Schwartz and Burton Lane, set new standards for American stage and film musicals. Ira was nominated for three Academy Awards and died in 1983.

CRAIG LUCAS (Book). Plays: Missing Persons, Reckless, Blue Window, Prelude to a Kiss (Obie, Pulitzer finalist, Tony nom.), God’s Heart, The Dying Gaul, Stranger, Small Tragedy (Obie), Prayer for My Enemy, The Singing Forest (Steinberg), Ode to Joy, I Was Alive With You. Movies: Longtime Companion (Sundance Audience Award), The Secret Lives of Dentists (NY Film Critics Award), The Dying Gaul. Operas: Orpheus in Love (composer Gerald Busby), Two Boys (composer Nico Muhly). Musicals: An American in Paris (Tony nom), Three Postcards, The Light in the Piazza (Tony nom), Amélie, Sousatzka. Direction: The Dying Gaul (film), Birds of America (film), Saved or Destroyed (Obie), Play Yourself, world premieres of The Light in the Piazza, Ode to Joy, This Thing of Darkness, I Was Most Alive With You.

CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON (Director and Choreographer) received a Tony Award nomination for Best Director and won the Tony Award for Best Choreography for this production. Born in England, Christopher danced for the Royal Ballet and New York City Ballet. He has choreographed for ballet companies worldwide and for television, film and Broadway. Awards: Astaire, Drama Desk, two Oliviers, two OCCs. Honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2016 Honours. Current Artistic Associate of the Royal Ballet, where he most recently created the full-length story ballet The Winter’s Tale. In December 2016, Joffrey Ballet premiered Christopher’s reimagined production of The Nutcracker.

ROB FISHER (Musical Score Adapted, Arranged & Supervised). Internationally recognized conductor/pianist. Founding music director, Encores! series. Guest symphony conductor: Chicago, Philadelphia, L.A., Boston: Tanglewood opening with Renée Fleming. Conductor: NY Philharmonic’s My Fair Lady, Carousel (Emmy nomination); San Francisco Symphony’s Emmy-winning Sweeney Todd; Carnegie Hall’s The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls. Numerous recordings, including the cast albums of An American in Paris (Grammy nomination) and the Grammy-winning Chicago. Artistic advisor: Carnegie Hall Gershwin Centenary Celebration. Broadway: Anything Goes, Hair, The Apple Tree, Wonderful Town, The Threepenny Opera, others. Frequent guest: “A Prairie Home Companion.”

BOB CROWLEY (Set and Costume Design). Current Broadway: Aladdin. Previous: An American in Paris (Tony Award), The Audience, Skylight, The Glass Menagerie, Once, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, Aida, Carousel (Lincoln Center). Nominated numerous times; winner of an Olivier Award and seven Tony Awards. Current West End/London: The Hard Problem, The Audience. Opera/dance: The Winter’s Tale,
Alice in Wonderland, Don Carlos. Film: Tales of Hollywood, Suddenly Last Summer, The Crucible. Royal Designer to Industry Award and Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatrical Design.

NATASHA KATZ (Lighting Design) has designed extensively for theatre, opera and dance, and other areas of the entertainment world. Broadway credits include An American in Paris (Tony Award) Aladdin, The Glass Menagerie (Tony Award), Motown, Once (Tony Award), Follies, The Coast of Utopia: Salvage (Tony Award) and Aida (Tony Award). She is honored to have designed the lighting for many ballets choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, including The Winter’s Tale, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Cinderella and Carnival of the Animals.

JON WESTON (Sound Design). Broadway design credits include She Loves Me; Amazing Grace; An American in Paris; On the Twentieth Century; You Can’t Take It With You; The Bridges of Madison County; Big Fish, How to Succeed...; 13 the Musical; The Color Purple; Caroline, or Change (AUDELCO Award); Nine; Thoroughly Modern Millie. Off-Broadway and regional: The Last Five Years; Death Takes a Holiday; Parade (Mark Taper Forum); A Little Night Music (L.A. Drama Critics Award); Family Guy, Live! (Carnegie Hall).

59 PRODUCTIONS (Projection Design) received a Tony Award for this production. 59 Productions specialize in design for performance, exhibitions and live events. Credits include: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Broadway); Oslo (The Lincoln Centre); War Horse (NT/ World Tour); Les Misérables (World Tour); David Bowie Is (V&A); Little Dancer (The Kennedy Centre) The Enchanted Island, Satyagraha (Metropolitan Opera); Morgen Und Abend, Eugene Onegin, The Minotaur, Salome (ROH); The Harmonium Project, Deep Time (Edinburgh International Festival); and London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.

TELSEY + COMPANY (Casting). Broadway/Tours: Anastasia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Hello, Dolly!, War Paint, Present Laughter, Come from Away, Waitress, On Your Feet!, Hamilton, Kinky Boots, Wicked, Something Rotten!, The King and I, The Sound of Music. Off-Broadway: Sweeney Todd, Atlantic, Classic Stage, MCC, Second Stage, Signature. Film: Miss Sloane, Into the Woods, Margin Call, Rachel Getting Married, Across the Universe, Camp, Pieces of April. TV: “One Day at a Time,” “Time After Time,” “Hairspray Live!,” “Conviction,” “This Is Us,” commercials. www.telseyandco.com

TODD ELLISON (Music Supervisor) Broadway: American in Paris, Annie, La Cage, Spamalot, Lestat, Amour, 42nd Street, Wild Party, On the Town, Once Upon a Mattress, How to Succeed..., She Loves Me, also Cats, Starlight Express, Annie 2. Composer –incidental music: A Class Act,
Taller...Dwarf. Encores!: Band Wagon; On the Town; No, No, Nanette. Vienna Konzerthaus; Carnegie Hall; San Diego, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Long Beach, New Haven symphonies,Philly Pops. Toddellisonmusic.com

CHRISTOPHER AUSTIN (Orchestrations) is one of UK’s foremost conductors and winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for An American in Paris. Film orchestrations/arrangements: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Son of Rambow,Enduring Love, Max, Hyde Park on Hudson, Birth, A Streetcar Named Desire. Ballet orchestrations/arrangements: Chroma, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Royal Ballet), Elysian Fields (Rambert). For opera: Eau (Opera de Lille). Bristol University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Professor: Royal Academy of Music, London.

BILL ELLIOTT (Orchestrations). Best Orchestrations Tony Award for An American in Paris. 2015
Encores! Lady Be Good; 2012 Tony and Grammy noms. for Nice Work If You Can Get It; additional orchestrations for the 2011 Broadway revival of Anything Goes. Prolific arranger for the Boston Pops; orchestra arrangements for Barbara Hannigan, Kelli O'Hara, Sutton Foster, Josh Groban’s Stages album. Arranged and produced Michael Feinstein’s Grammy-nominated album The Sinatra Project.

SAM DAVIS (Dance Arrangements). Broadway: Holiday Inn, Side Show, Gigi, Big Fish, Drood. As composer: Taming of the Shrew (Delacorte Theater), Red Eye of Love, Bunnicula, Love and Real Estate (Off-Broadway). Kennedy Center: Little Dancer, Trumpet of the Swan. Film: Hail, Caesar!, Beauty and the Beast (2017). TV: "Good Behavior." Winner of the Jonathan Larson Award and a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music.

SEYMOUR RED PRESS (Music Coordinator). Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre. More than 100 Broadway shows. Screen credits include Hunchback of Notre Dame, Birdcage, In & Out. This season: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Chicago, City Center’s Encores!

DAVID ANDREWS ROGERS (Music Director/Conductor). Broadway tours: Les Misérables, Show Boat, The Phantom of the Opera (Associate Music Director). International: The Wizard of Oz (also Associate Music Supervisor), Le Magicien d’Oz (Palais des Congrès, Paris), Fiddler on the Roof, Cats, Chicago. Off- Broadway: The Vocal Lords (Chekhov Theatre Ensemble), Happy Hunting (York Theatre). Guest Conductor: Carnegie Hall (New York Pops), Lincoln Center, Apollo Theatre, Town Hall. Over 150 productions in regional theatre, readings, symphony pops concerts, recordings. Conducted for stars including Harvey Fierstein, Patti LuPone, Joel Grey, Sutton Foster, Kristin Chenoweth, Topol, Nell Carter, Debbie Gibson, and former star of the Moulin Rouge, Debbie de Coudreaux. MaestroDAR.com

DONTEE KIEHN (Associate Director/Associate Choreographer). Previous credits include An American in Paris (Broadway: Associate Director/ Choreographer), The Addams Family (Broadway, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico City: Associate Director/ Choreographer); Next to Normal (Broadway, Japan, Korea: Associate Choreographer); The Winter’s Tale (Public Theater, Choreographer); Ten Cents a Dance (Williamstown Theatre Festival, Choreographer). Broadway performance credits: Gypsy, The Addams Family, and 42nd Street.

SEAN MAURICE KELLY (Associate Choreographer/Resident Director) is very happy to be joining
this company. Broadway: An American in Paris (Associate Choreographer), Movin’ Out (1st national, Dance Supervisor/Swing), Billy Elliot (Resident Choreographer). Principal dancer and Guest Ballet Master, Houston Ballet.

RICK STEIGER (Production Supervisor). Broadway: An American in Paris; Act One; War Horse; Come Fly Away; The Royal Family; 13; Frost/Nixon; Spring Awakening; The Woman in White; Caroline, or Change; Topdog/Underdog; Elaine Stritch: At Liberty; The Wild Party; Epic Proportions; The Civil War; Titanic; Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk.

KENNETH J. DAVIS (Production Stage Manager) marks his 20th year touring the world with Broadway musicals with this beautiful production. Previous national tours include The Lion King, Rock of Ages, Spamalot, Hairspray, The Full Monty, Ragtime, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Chicago, Applause and Cats. In New York: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center. On the high seas: Norwegian, Oceania and Regent cruise lines.

DONAVAN DOLAN (Assistant Stage Manager): National Tours: 42nd Street, Annie, GHOST, Catch Me if You Can, Grease, Peter Pan 360, Jesus Christ Superstar, RENT, Mame, Barbie Live, Oklahoma!, A Chorus Line, Copacabana. International Tours: 42nd Street, The Sound Of Music, and Thomas & Friends.

ANNA K. RAINS (Assistant Stage Manager). NYC: Love's Labour's Lost, Seven Guitars (Juilliard). National Tour/Las Vegas: Blue Man Group. Regional: Spamalot, Mary Poppins, Next to Normal, Jesus Christ Superstar (North Carolina Theatre); The End of War (Virginia Rep).

KATHY FABIAN/PROPSTAR (Props Supervisor). Recent Broadway Credits: Fiddler on the Roof, China Doll, On Your Feet, The King and I, An American In Paris, The Real Thing, The Realistic Joneses, If/Then, Rocky, The Bridges of Madison County, I’ll Eat You Last, Kinky Boots, Lucky Guy, Chaplin.

UNKLEDAVE’S FIGHT-HOUSE (Fight Direction) is a team of fight directors founded by David Anzuelo. The core members are: Jesse Geguzis; Sean F. Griffin and Gerry Rodriguez. Broadway credits: An American in Paris (Palace); Tuck Everlasting (Broadhurst); Disgraced (Lyceum). Regional: Disgraced (Mark Taper Forum).

KAREN BERRY
. Selected Chicago GM credits:

(General Manager). Most recently, Project Manager for Christopher Wheeldon’s Nutcracker,

Old Jews Telling Jokes, Million Dollar Quartet, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Bleacher Bums, Driving Miss Daisy, Shirley Valentine, Steel Magnolias, and Pump Boys and Dinettes. Broadway management credits included Carrie, Quilters, Asinamali and Showboat. 

WIN WIN For Chicago Kids: GOODMAN THEATRE RECEIVES A $100,000 GRANT FROM DISNEY TO FUND THEATER EDUCATION PROGRAM

***FIVE CHICAGOLAND PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO WORK WITH THE GOODMAN TO PARTICIPATE AND PRODUCE A DISNEY MUSICAL 

– AT NO COST*** 

Here at ChiIL Mama we're elated to hear that the “Disney Musicals in Schools” program is coming to the Chicago area in the capable hands of Goodman Theatre's education department, financed by a $100,000 grant from Disney! This is a great opportunity for Chicago public school children to be able to be cast in and work on funded theatrical school productions, which is a rarity in CPS elementary schools. Kudos to both Disney and Goodman on this partnership.

Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer announce that Goodman Theatre will expand its Education programming into elementary schools with a $100,000 grant from Disney to bring the “Disney Musicals in Schools” program to the Chicago area. The program is an outreach initiative developed by Disney Theatrical Productions to create sustainable theater programs in under-resourced elementary schools. The grant funds two years of programming; Goodman Theatre, under the leadership of Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor, will select five area public elementary schools to participate in Spring 2018, and another five will be selected for the following year. Applications will be available in the fall; for more information, visit www.GoodmanTheatre.org or call 312.443.5581.

“We are proud to build on our longtime relationship with Disney with this wonderful new partnership that expands our Education outreach into elementary schools for the first time,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls. “Willa Taylor has done extraordinary work over the past decade to exponentially increase and deepen the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programming. Disney Musicals in Schools continues that effort, giving Chicago youth a top-tier introduction to theater.”

“Under Robert Falls’ and Roche Schulfer’s leadership, Goodman Theatre continues to be one of the country’s premier theatrical institutions, creating compelling and innovative productions. Bob’s direction brought Aida to Broadway, and later led the vision that brought the first production of The Jungle Book to the stage. I am thrilled that we can continue our partnership by supporting this education program,” said Thomas Schumacher, President & Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions. 

The selected schools will participate in a 17-week musical theater residency, led by a team of teaching artists trained by the Goodman and Disney Theatrical Productions, at no cost. Each school will receive performance rights, education support materials and guidance from the teaching artists. The program features a professional development focus, through which participating school teachers partner with Goodman teaching artists to learn how to produce, direct, choreograph and music direct, culminating in their first 30-minute Disney KIDS musical at their school. As a capstone to the experience, the Goodman will host a “Student Share Celebration,” in which each school performs one number from their show on the Goodman’s stage for an audience of students, teachers, family and community members.

“Disney Musicals in Schools’ emphasis on creating sustainable in-school programs by training teachers and parents aligns with the Goodman’s 30-year commitment to teacher praxis, and our long-term commitment to partner schools in our School Matinee Series,” said Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor. “The Goodman is excited to continue our relationship with Disney, and partner in this new way.”

Using the unique world of musical theater, Disney Musicals in Schools helps to foster positive relationships between students, faculty, staff, parents and the community.  Students and teachers work in teams, developing the wide spectrum of skills needed when producing a piece of musical theater, including: critical thinking, problem solving, ensemble building, communication, self-confidence and interpersonal skills. Disney Musicals in Schools was launched in 2010 in response to Disney Theatrical Production’s concern that under-resourced public elementary schools were not afforded equitable access to the arts. After successfully offering the program in New York City schools, Disney Theatrical Productions began partnering with organizations in other communities across the United States. Disney KIDS musicals, created in partnership with Music Theater International (MTI), are 30-minute musicals designed for elementary school performers and have been adapted from the classic Disney films 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Cinderella, The Jungle Book, The Lion King and Winnie the Pooh.

What makes the Goodman unique as Chicago’s flagship not-for-profit theater is its equal devotion to furthering the art of theater and providing service to the community. For three decades, the Goodman has been committed to three core values—quality, diversity and community—and is distinguished by its proactive investment to the productions on stage; making aesthetic and cultural diversity the fabric of the institution; and developing programs that bring Arts as Education to Chicago youth, lifelong learners and audiences. This commitment is visibly demonstrated by the new Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at Goodman Theatre (opened Spring 2016), which has broadened and deepened the Goodman’s service to its community—efforts that evolved when Robert Falls became Artistic Director in 1986, and have exponentially expanded during the past 10 years under Taylor’s leadership. Today, the Goodman offers more than 20 Education and Engagement programs—100% of which are funded by individual contributions—offered year-round and free of charge. Eighty-five percent of the Goodman’s youth program participants come from underserved communities. Training teachers to use arts strategies in their classrooms for every subject area has always been central to the Goodman’s education efforts, demonstrated in its 30-year old flagship Education program, the School Matinee Series. For more than 20 years, the Goodman has offered a summer program designed to help Chicagoland high school students find their creative voice. PlayBuild | Youth Intensive, open to all 14- to 18-year old students in the Chicago metropolitan area, uses personal history and storytelling techniques to validate the voices of its participants and introduces them to all elements of theater creation—both on stage and behind the scenes. The 10-year-old Cindy Bandle Young Critics program helps young women develop the skills and critical literacy necessary to set them on a professional path. Of the 200+ alumni of this program, 100% have enrolled in college. Emerging programs established over the past decade—including GeNarrations, Youth Poetry Ensemble, Play ‘N 90, Musical Theater Intensive and this coming summer, a brand new program called NOURISH, in partnership with Michael Rohd and the Center for Performance and Civic Practice—add to the growing array of offerings made possible only through the state-of-the-art LEED-certified Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement. 

Disney Theatrical Productions (DTP) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher and is among the world’s most successful commercial theatre enterprises, bringing live entertainment events to a global annual audience of more than 19 million people in more than 50 countries.  Under the Disney Theatrical Productions banner, the group produces and licenses Broadway productions around the world, including Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida, TARZAN®, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, The Little Mermaid, Peter and the Starcatcher, Newsies, and Aladdin. Frozen, based on the Academy Award®-winning film, will open on Broadway in 2018.  Other successful stage musical ventures have included the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.  DTP has collaborated with the country’s leading regional theatres to develop new stage titles including The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Freaky Friday.

Disney Theatrical Productions also delivers live shows globally through its license to Feld Entertainment, producer of Disney on Ice and Disney Live!  For over 30 years, Disney on Ice and Disney Live! have brought beloved Disney stories and characters annually to over 12 million guests in nearly 50 countries worldwide, through productions such as Marvel Universe Live! and Frozen, the most well attended and highest grossing Disney on Ice production to date.  In addition, DTP licenses musical titles for local, school and community theatre productions through Music Theatre International, including The Lion King Experience, a unique holistic arts education program wherein accredited elementary and middle schools produce condensed, age-appropriate JR. and KIDS adaptations of The Lion King.

Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists, and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials, and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.

About Goodman Theatre 
America’s “Best Regional Theatre” (Time magazine) and “Chicago’s flagship resident stage” (Chicago Tribune), Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit organization distinguished by the quality and scope of its artistic programming and civic engagement. Founded in 1925, the Goodman is led by Robert Falls—“Chicago’s most essential director” (Chicago Tribune), who marks 30 years as Artistic Director this season—and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who is celebrated for his vision and leadership over nearly four decades. Dedicated to new plays, reimagined classics and large-scale musical theater works, Goodman Theatre artists and productions have earned hundreds of awards for artistic excellence, including: two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, nearly 160 Jeff Awards and more. Over the past three decades, audiences have experienced more than 150 world or American premieres, 30 major musical productions, as well as nationally and internationally celebrated productions of classic works (including Falls’ productions of Death of a Salesman, Long Day’s Journey into Night, King Lear and The Iceman Cometh, many in collaboration with actor Brian Dennehy). In addition, the Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” For nearly four decades, the annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol has created a new generation of theatergoers. Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000. Today, Goodman Theatre leadership includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Joan E. Clifford is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Cynthia K. Scholl is Women’s Board President and Justin A. Kulovsek is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals. 

Visit the Goodman virtually at GoodmanTheatre.org—including OnStage+ for insider information—and on Twitter (@GoodmanTheatre), Facebook and Instagram

REVIEW: Highly Recommended Acro Acumen Via Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre

Chi, IL LIVE Shows On Our Radar:

Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre

at Edge Theatre

Acrobatic Dance Theatre inspired by the work of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking

Highly recommended. There are only 2 Chicago performances remaining. Don't miss this!

Photography: Geoffrey Wade

REVIEW: Balance, brains and brilliance abound as Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre lives up to their name. 

Aura: Lightness and breath
Curious: Our characters and ourselves
Atlas: Strength and power

The teens and I caught their opening night last night at The Edge Theatre, and we were beyond impressed. This unique troupe is fronted by former teacher/student duo, the brilliant Joan Gavaler and home town favorite, Dan Plehal, and comprised of an impressive blend of professionals with home bases scattered all over the US, as well as a supporting cast of locals. We were wowed by their creative coupling of dance and partner acro in the service of storytelling.

The first act is a playful and thoroughly enjoyable showcase of shorts from the company's show Dream Logic, that they have been touring around the country. This includes an endlessly entertaining bus ride from hell, rejected crayons personified, and a high energy game of keep away with a misdelivered package. 

In a crazy odd coincidence, my real life evening yesterday began with nearly the same scenario, albeit with less energetic acro! A package was left between my front doors that was meant for the same numerical address as mine, but several streets over. My acro lovin' circus teens were dying to open it out of curiosity, before returning it to the rightful address, and made a few playful attempts, but I wrestled the package from them. So, of course the opening package scene was especially hilarious to us, since we'd literally just lived it before leaving for the theatre. 

The second act, an incredible tribute to Stephen Hawking, A Life With No Limits, was a true gem. We were stunned by the raw emotion and the contrast between the fluid leaps of a genius mind versus the obstacles and frustrations of mobility with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). At the age of 75, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking is wheelchair-bound and needs assistance from 4 aids round the clock and up to 40 at times. He was diagnosed at age 21.

This is a wrenchingly beautiful piece and I was left in awe of the superhuman physical strength and willpower required to live with a severe disability. The logistics of choreographing a chorus of caregivers, family and friends, and an active career, including speaking engagements and guest appearances, is mind boggling too. 

This is a brand new piece they're still collecting input on, though it's close to fruition in a final form. I would love to see them couple it with projected astrophysics  imagery and visuals on Hawkings' theories, interwoven with selective words, to compliment and clarify the piece. Even sans images and evolving, A Life With No Limits is a moving must see. 

THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY! 

Friday, July 28, 8:00 pm Saturday, July 29, 8:00 pm Sunday, July 30, 3:00 pm  

Tickets: $15 student, $20 general, $10 for groups of 10+ On-line: https://www.acphysicaltheatre.com/events

Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre will present A Life With No Limits at Edge Theatre on July 28, 29, and 30.  This performance is inspired by the work of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and is created in the company’s signature style blending dance, theatre, and acrobatics.  The evening will begin with a selection of stories and characters from the company’s DREAM LOGIC show. Find enchantment in ordinary situations presented in unexpected ways!  After the show, the performers look forward to talking with members of the audience. “It's especially gratifying to see companies like Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre return to Washington with a fascinating new work, A Life With No Limits, dedicated to the ideas of the physicist Stephen Hawking. Aura Curiatlas has developed a unique, intensely physical brand of performance without words, incorporating circus and dance techniques into narratives that are eye-popping in their execution and touching in their meaning.”  (Andy White, BroadwayWorld.com, March 1, 2017)

Aura Curiatlas performs July 28 and 29 at 8:00 pm and July 30 at 3:00 pm at Edge Theatre, 5451 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640; Tickets: $20 general, $15 student.

What’s In A Name? Aura: Lightness and breath, Curious: Our characters and ourselves, Atlas: Strength and power “Combine strength and humor, a dash of curiosity, a pinch of whimsy, and a generous dose of inventiveness, mix thoroughly and you have Aura Curiatlas Physical Theatre's compelling brand of storytelling and movement.” (Pamela Roberts, BroadwayWorld.com, March 2016)  



Meet the Artists 
Joan Gavaler (Co-Artistic Director) has choreographed over 50 original works and been a driving force behind four professional companies. She relishes collaborative discovery and has worked with poets, visual artists, composers, musicians, actors, directors, acrobats, and physicists on dance and theatre projects.  She has been invited by over 40 organizations to present and teach in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including presentations on the Alexander Technique in Lugano, Switzerland, a dance residency at Beijing Normal University, performances for American Dance Guild showcases in New York City, and movement consulting for the Virginia Shakespeare Festival.  Joan is a Professor of Dance, College of William & Mary.

Dan Plehal (Co-Artistic Director) studied and performed physical theatre at the College of William & Mary and with Pig Iron Theatre Company (Philadelphia), FLIC Squola di Circo (Torino), Familie Floz (Berlin), and Accademia dell'Arte (Arezzo).  He has directed and designed movement for Lifeline Theatre and Boho Theatre (Chicago), Red Dot Theatre Company (Arezzo), The Groundswell Players (Philadelphia), and Sinfonicron Light Opera Company (Williamsburg).  He has taken on various roles at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, the Arden Theatre, Theatre Horizon, and Team Sunshine (Philadelphia).  Dan directs, performs, and teaches in Chicago.

Collaborators: Mickey Lonsdale, an acrobat and dancer based in Stamford, CT; Richie Schiraldi, an acrobat and clown based in Chicago, Fiona Wren Bradley, a handbalancer and acrobat based in Chicago.

Website: www.ACPhysicalTheatre.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/auracuriatlas

2016-17 grants: Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg National Endowment for the Arts Virginia Commission for the Arts Williamsburg Area Arts Commission York County Arts Commission