Lookingglass Theatre Company announces casting for the world premiere of Act(s) of God February 13–April 7, 2019

Lookingglass Theatre Company Presents 

the World Premiere of

Act(s) of God

Written by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy

Directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman

 Act(s) of God is recommended for ages 13+

Lookingglass Theatre Company announces casting for the world premiere of Act(s) of God, by Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy, directed by Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Act(s) of God runs February 13–April 7, 2019 at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. Tickets go on sale to the public December 12. The press performances are February 22 and February 23 at 7:30 p.m.

“The force, “God,” acts in the play much as in life: invisibly, mysteriously. And so the fun of it all has to do with how God (whether externalized, internalized, or altogether put aside) works on the family—how it brings them together or pulls them apart…much as in life,” notes playwright Kareem Bandealy.

“At its core, this is a dark comedy about family and how we navigate these deep and at times tricky relationships when our views don’t align. This show is about so much more than whether or not you believe; it’s about our most basic connections to one another, and Kareem’s sharp writing and wit gives us the perfect access point to a subject that has made more than one family dinner take a turn toward awkward,” comments director Heidi Stillman.

Three siblings, two parents, and one very unexpected dinner guest. As a family gathers for an overdue dinner, a mysterious envelope arrives with astonishing news. They soon find themselves scrambling to welcome a visitor of cosmic proportion. Absurdity reigns as ancient fissures open wide, long-held certainties crumble, and sh*t gets real. Will this nuclear family explode? Lookingglass Ensemble Member Kareem Bandealy unleashes this existential dark comedy, directed by Artistic Director Heidi Stillman (Cascabel, Hard Times). 

The cast of Act(s) of God features Lookingglass Artistic Associates Atra Asdou (Fiancée), Walter Briggs (Youngest) and Anthony Irons (Middle), with Shannon Cochran (Mother) and Kristina Valada-Viars (Eldest).

The creative team includes Artistic Associate Brian Sidney Bembridge (scenic and lighting design), Ensemble Member Mara Blumenfeld (costume design), Artistic Associate Rick Sims (sound design/composition), Amanda Herrmann (properties design), Matt Hawkins (fight choreographer) and Tess Golden (stage manager).   

About the Artists
KAREEM BANDEALY (Playwright/Lookingglass Ensemble Member) has previously appeared at Lookingglass as Captain Nemo in 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas, Blood Wedding, Moby Dick (2015 & 2017), The Little Prince, Big Lake Big City, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, and Peter Pan (A Play). Chicago credits: A Christmas Carol (2014–18), Rock ‘N’ Roll, Gas For Less and King Lear at Goodman Theatre; The Wheel at Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Oklahoma! at Paramount Theatre; The Good Book and The Illusion at Court Theatre; Julius Caesar, Hamlet, The Caretaker, and Heartbreak House at Writers Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Edward II, and Romeo and Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; A Disappearing Number, Blood, and Gifts at TimeLine Theatre; The Skin of Our Teeth and The Real Thing at Remy Bumppo Theatre Company; Othello (as Othello) at The Gift Theatre, and many others. Regional credits include: The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Three Musketeers and The Tempest at Illinois Shakespeare Festival; Love’s Labour’s Lost at Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare; Julius Caesar and Stuff Happens at Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, and four seasons with Orlando Shakespeare Theater. He has appeared in several films including The Merry Gentleman directed by Michael Keaton, in the new web series Code-Switched, and on TV in Chicago Fire. Kareem is a recipient of the 2011 3Arts Artist Award.

HEIDI STILLMAN (Director/Lookingglass Ensemble Member/Artistic Director) recently directed the return of her adaptation of Hard Times. She has both written and directed for Lookingglass: Cascabel, The North China Lover, Hephaestus, The Brothers Karamazov (2009 Raven Award), and The Master and Margarita. Additional writing credits with Lookingglass include: The Last Act of Lilka Kadison, The Old Curiosity Shop (Jeff Award for Adaptation), and The Baron in the Trees. Directing work with Lookingglass includes: Death Tax, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Trust, The Wooden Breeks, and Hillbilly Antigone. Heidi’s adaptation of The Book Thief premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She directed Minita Gandhi’s Muthaland for Silk Road Rising Solos and Victory Gardens Theater’s Ignition Festival, CAATA/ConFEST, and at 16th Street Theatre. She co-wrote and directed The Year I Didn’t Go to School at the Chicago Children’s Theatre. Heidi lives in Evanston with her husband and her 15 year olds, Sadie and Jude.

ATRA ASDOU (Fiancée/Lookingglass Artistic Associate) happily returns to Lookingglass after replacing Ensemble Member Louise Lamson as Rachel in Hard Times. Previous Lookingglass credits include Blood Wedding and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Chicago theatre credits: Belle in A Christmas Carol (Goodman Theatre), Julia in 1984 (Steppenwolf for Young Adults), Dirty (The Gift Theatre), and she just came back from Washington, D.C. where she performed in The Second City’s She The People (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company). Atra regularly improvises and writes sketches at iO Chicago with Whirled News Tonight, Lil’ Tooties, and iOCN. She has also performed sketch comedy as understudy for The Second City E.T.C.’s 40th revue and is a 2017 Bob Curry fellow. TV/Film/Webseries: Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., South Side, Renee, and Other People’s Children. Atra is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and is represented by Gray Talent Group. 

WALTER BRIGGS (Youngest/Lookingglass Artistic Associate) has previously appeared with the company in 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas, Moby Dick, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo and The North China Lover. Chicago credits include: Sucker Punch (Victory Gardens Theater), Hit The Wall (The Inconvenience/Steppenwolf Theatre Company), All Our Tragic (The Hypocrites), The Glass Menagerie (Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co.), A Red Orchid Theater, and many more. Regionally, Walter has performed at A.R.T, Arena Stage, South Coast Repertory, Alliance Theatre, and The Getty Villa. TV/Film credits include: Chicago Med, Kappa Force, Jessica, I Don’t Care, A Good Person, Ballad, and Older Children. Walter is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  

SHANNON COCHRAN (Mother) makes her Lookingglass Theatre debut. Last season, she appeared in Buried Child and The Importance of Being Earnest at Writers Theatre. Other recent Chicago credits include The Christians (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), The Little Foxes (Goodman Theatre), and Goldfish (Route 66 Theatre). Recent credits include: Nora in the world premiere of A Doll's House, Part 2 (South Coast Repertory), the Roundabout National Tour of Cabaret, and the First National Tour of August: Osage County. She is an Obie and Theatreworld Award-winner for the role she created in Bug (Gate Theatre, London and Barrow Street Theatre). Shannon has also performed at The Old Globe, Long Wharf Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Barbican Centre (London), Geffen Playhouse, Court Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Film: Captive State, The Ring, Star Trek: Nemesis, The Perfect Family. Television: Modern Family, Scandal, NCIS: LA, Grey's Anatomy, Law and Order: SVU, The Office.

ANTHONY IRONS (Middle/Lookingglass Artistic Associate) is thrilled to return to Lookingglass in this exciting new work. He appeared in Treasure Island and, most recently, The Steadfast Tin Soldier. Anthony is also a Congo Square Theatre Ensemble Member, where he has performed in over a dozen productions. Chicago credits include: Support Group for Men (Goodman Theatre), How to Use a Knife (Shattered Globe Theatre, Jeff Nomination), Jitney (Congo Square Theatre, Jeff Nomination), and Waiting for Godot (Court Theatre). Regional credits include: Black Eagles (Penumbra Theatre), Hamlet (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), and As You Like It (Georgia Shakespeare Festival). TV/Film credits include: Empire, The Chi, Sirens, Chicago Fire, Boss, Let’s Go To Prison, and The Lucky Ones.

KRISTINA VALADA-VIARS (Eldest) is making her Lookingglass debut in Mr. Bandealy's beautiful play. Most recently, she appeared in Make Believe Association’s The Lost Books, directed Small Jokes About Monsters at 16th Street Theatre, and appears in The Red Line on CBS. Theatre credits include: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Writers Theatre, Theater Wit, Route 66 Theatre, Northlight Theatre, About Face Theatre, New Dramatists, The New Group, and 13P. TV/Film: Easy, Empire, Shameless, The Force, and Stephen Cone’s Black Box. She received a Jeff Nomination for Supporting Actress for her work in the Chicago premiere of Time Stands Still (Steppenwolf Theatre Company) and the Best Actress in a Feature Award at the Iris International Film Festival for the independent feature Molly's Girl. She received a 2017 Princess Grace Award and Fellowship for acting and directing in residence with Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Kristina is an activist, freelance writer, teacher, and a member of the Chicago Green Theatre Alliance.

Subscriptions 
Subscriptions are on sale for the 2018–2019 Season. Performances will be held at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.   

Subscribers can choose between a 3-play subscription, or two flex pass options: the Gglasspass, or for those under 35, the Madhatter’s Club. For the 2018–2019 season, 3-play subscriptions range from $116–$170.  

The Gglasspass is a flex pass available to all ages. For $150, Gglasspass holders receive 3 tickets that can be used in any combination and denomination for any Lookingglass production in the 2018–2019 season.  

The Madhatter’s Club flex pass is available to those 35 or younger. The Madhatter’s Club flex pass is $75 and includes 3 tickets that members can use in any combination and denomination for any Lookingglass production in the 2018-2019 season.  

Lookingglass also offers a 3-play subscription for Accessible performances during the 2018-2019 season for $75. Patrons can choose between the Touch Tour/Audio Described performances or the Open Captioned performances.  

Subscription benefits include access to the best seats in the house, pre-sale opportunities and savings to Lookingglass productions before single tickets go on sale to the general public, special perks at restaurant partners, unlimited ticket exchanges, discounted parking at the nearby John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place and Olympia Centre Garage, reduced tuition for Lookingglass’ renowned classes and summer camps, and access to exclusive subscriber-only events. For season subscription and ticket information, call the Lookingglass Theatre box office at (312) 337-0665 or visit lookingglasstheatre.org. 

Dates:                                       
Previews:  February 13 – 22, 2019
Press openings:  Friday, February 22, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Gala opening: Sunday, February 24, 2019
Regular run: February 27 – April 7, 2019
                                                 

Times:                                      
Tuesdays:                    7:30 p.m. (March 12 only)
Wednesdays:                7:30 p.m.
Thursdays:                   2:00 p.m.  (March 7, 21 and April 4 only)
                                                                                        7:30 p.m.
Fridays:                        7:30 p.m.
Saturdays:                    2:00 p.m. (Except Feb. 16 and 23)
                                    7:30 p.m.
Sundays:                      2:00 p.m. (Except Feb. 24)
                                    7:30 p.m. (March 3, 10, 31 only)

Accessible      
Performances:
Audio Described/Touch Tour performance, Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 7:30p.m.

Open Captioned performance, Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
lookingglasstheatre.org/access
           
Additional
Programs:                                
REFLECT Post-Show Panel Series 
Dive even deeper into the world of the play with the Lookingglass REFLECT Series!

This specially-curated series of post-show conversations and panels offers audiences an opportunity to think, hear, and talk about the performance they just experienced. Hear in-the-field experts offer their insights and leading artists give a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Lookingglass creative process. REFLECT post-show discussions are free and open to the public,
and take place directly following the 2:00 p.m. matinee on select Sundays at Lookingglass Theatre.

Location:                                 
Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic
Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Prices:                                     
Previews are $35 - $55
Regular Run is $45 - $75

Student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with a valid student ID. Based on availability.

Groups of 8 or more patrons save up to 20%. Call 773-477-9257 X 125 or email groupsales@lookingglasstheatre.org for details.

Box Office: Buy online at lookingglasstheatre.org or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works,
821 N. Michigan Ave.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company
Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative. Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. Now in its 31st Season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. The Company has staged 67 world premieres, received 151 Joseph Jefferson Award Nominations, and work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Louisville and St. Louis. Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States. In 2016, Lookingglass received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions and in 2017, was the recipient of the League of Chicago Theatres’ Artistic Achievement Award.

The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003. In addition to developing and presenting Ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial, and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Heidi Stillman, Executive Director Rachel L. Fink, Producing Director Philip R. Smith, Connectivity and Engagement Director Andrew White, General Manager Michele Anderson, a 24-member artistic ensemble, 23 artistic associates, an administrative staff, and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Nancy Timmers and President Richard Chapman. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.