Advertisement:

"Blackbird" Opens at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater

By Candace Jordan, July 14, 2009 at 1:46 pm

DSC06731.JPG

Co-stars William Petersen and Mattie Hawkinson.

"Blackbird" opened last night at the Victory Gardens Theatre starring William Petersen and Mattie Hawkinson.  This is British playwright David Harrower's raw and provocative two person drama about the destructive cycle of desire and illicit love.  Victory Gardens Artistic Director and all-around good guy, Dennis Zacek, directs "Blackbird" which won the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, which is Britain's equivalent of the Tony.

I admit I am not a fan of dramas and prefer to escape in light hearted musicals like "Mary Poppins" but I must say this play gave me goose bumps and kept me on the edge of my seat.  The Associated Press says it is "a fascinating and unnerving 90 minute cat and mouse tale of revenge and sexual intrigue, with genuine theatricality and undeniable shock value."  I concur wholeheartedly.  The play has no intermissions during the 90 minutes and when the last heart breaking words are uttered, you don't realize that the time has flown by! 

 

"Blackbird" is the British vernacular for "jailbird" and the story revolves around the awkward reunion of Ray and Una 15 years after a passionate affair when he was 40 and she was a minor.  In the end, "Blackbird" will leave the audience stunned.  I promise. 

 

Performances run through August 9th at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.  Tickets are $30- $58 and can be purchased by calling the box office (773) 871-3000 or online at www.victorygardens.org

 

Welcome Home Billy!

 

DSC06726.JPG

Artistic director Dennis Zacek, Mattie Hawkinson, Lauren Delfs and William Petersen

DSC06730.JPG

Gina and Billy Petersen have been married since 2003.

 

DSC06722.JPG

Billy's former CSI co-star, Marg Helgenberger, flew in to congratulate him!

DSC06718.JPG

The marquee says it all!

DSC06723.JPG

Board member Fanchon Simons and John Mahoney.

DSC06725.JPG

Executive Director Jan Kallish with Lauren Delfs who also appears in the play.

DSC06720.JPG

Beautiful actress Marg Helgenberger and me.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Tags: Blackbird, Chicago Theater, David Harrower, Dennis Zacek, events Chicago, Jan Kallish, Mattie Hawkinson, theater, Victory Gardens Theater

Advertisement:

Comments

Leave a comment
  • ricker23 said July 14, 2009 at 12:00 am

    Nice article. Glad you enjoyed the play.

    But William Petersen

  • lakeshoregrown said July 15, 2009 at 12:00 am

    You really should change Lauren's last name to Delfs.

  • CandaceJordan said July 17, 2009 at 12:00 am
    In reply to lakeshoregrown:

    The name has been changed but I got the original (incorrect) info from the staff in the box office....thanks for the email and have a great summer!

Leave a comment