RAVEN THEATRE OPENS THE 2010-2011 SEASON WITH
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF,
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MENENDIAN
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
by Tennessee Williams, directed by Michael Menendian
Previews: Tuesday, October 12 through Saturday, October 16 at 8:00 p.m.
Opening Night: Sunday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Performances continue through December 19, 2010 (No performance November 25):
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
All performances take place on Raven Theatre's East Stage, 6157 N. Clark
Tickets are $20 during previews, $40 on opening nights and $30 all other performances
($5 discount for students/seniors, group discounts also available)
Free parking is provided in a lot adjacent to the theatre; additional street parking is available
Raven Theatre is handicapped accessible
Tickets/information:
www.raventheatre.com or
773-338-2177
Subscription packages are: Preview package for $45,
Flexible package for $72 (valid anytime except opening night),
and an Opening Night package for $90 (includes post show reception with director and cast)
Additional benefits of
subscribing include free ticket exchanges, priority seating, free
beverages, special discounts and an exclusive invitation to a closed
rehearsal of each production
CHICAGO - Raven Theatre opens the 2010-2011 season with
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Michael Menendian.
Opening is Sunday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception following in the Raven lobby. Tickets and information are available at
www.raventheatre.com or
773-338-2177.
Heat, liquor, and mendacity combine in Raven Theatre's sultry season opener,
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The Pollitt family gathers on Big Daddy's
birthday after discovering the wealthy patriarch's health has taken a
turn for the worst. As family members vie for Big Daddy's affections to
ensure their financial security, cracks in this desperate display of
family devotion quickly surface. At the heart of the argument is the
worthiness of the youngest son Brick and his wife, Maggie. Having
recently lost his best friend, Skipper, to suicide after rejecting his
romantic advances, Brick is left with an overwhelming guilt. His
reactionary and destructive behavior mixed with Maggie's desperation
for marital intimacy creates a tension that comes scandalously close to
utter ruin. Brick's physical and emotional crutches prevent him from
getting close to her, but Maggie's stubborn devotion refuses to let him
go.
Director, Michael Menendian, states,
"Brick is distraught with guilt for not supporting a friend in need and
it has marred all other relationships in his life. This guilt, coupled
with personal and societal views of homosexuality play key roles in
driving the tension in this play. Although the societal view of
homosexuality has greatly changed since it was written, people are
still being persecuted for just being honest with themselves."
Tennessee Williams was an award
winning playwright, whose accolades include one Tony Award, four New
York Drama Critics' Circle Awards and two Pulitzer Prizes. Often using
people and situations from his own life as inspiration for his
characters and plot lines, Williams tackled many controversial and
personal topics including homosexuality, depression and addiction to
drugs and alcohol. Known as a master of American drama, Williams'
prolific nature led to the penning of many plays, novels, short stories
and a screenplay.
Director Michael Menendian is a
founding member and the Producing Artistic Director of Raven Theatre,
where he has directed and designed sets for many productions, earning
numerous Joseph Jefferson and After Dark awards. He recently received a
2010 Jeff nomination for his direction of Raven's Death of a Salesman. His other productions include
The Odd Couple, Hedda Gabler, Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, The Night
of the Iguana, The Sea Gull, American Buffalo, Dancing at Lughnasa,
Golden Boy, Marvin's Room, A Streetcar Named Desire, A View from the
Bridge,
and Glengarry Glen Ross.
The Pollitt family is portrayed by Liz Fletcher (Maggie) who is a Raven ensemble member of 13 years and recently appeared in
The Odd Couple and received Jeff Citations for her work in A Streetcar Named Desire and
Golden Boy; Jason Huysman (Brick) who last appeared in Raven's production of
Death of a Salesman and has also worked with Steppenwolf, Trap Door and Greasy Joan;
Jon Steinhagen (Big Daddy) who recently appeared in Raven's productions of
The Odd Couple and Hedda Gabler and is a multiple Jeff Award winning actor, writer and musical director;
JoAnn Montemurro (Big Momma) who is the Co-Artistic Director of Raven Theatre and was recently seen in
Death of a Salesman and Hedda Gabler; Eleanor Katz (Mae) who is making her Raven Theatre debut and has also worked with Babes with Blades;
Greg Caldwell (Gooper) who is a Raven ensemble member who recently appeared in
The Odd Couple and Death of a Salesman; Mike Boone (Reverend Tooker) whose previous Raven credits include
A Clean Well-Lighted Place, The Room, Talk to Me Like the Rain, and You Can't Take it With You; and
Jonathan Nichols (Dr. Baugh) who appeared in Raven's production of Book of Days and has also worked with Circle Theatre, City Lit, and Eclipse Theatre.
The design staff includes:
Ray Toler (Set Designer); Andrei Onegin (Technical Director); Kelly Dailey (Scenic Artist);
Christine Ferriter (Lighting Designer); Mina Hyun-Ok Hong (Costume Designer);
Katherine M. Chavez (Sound Designer) and Mary O'Dowd (Props) and
Leif Olsen (Composer). Jen Short serves as stage manager and
Justin Castellano serves as Asst. Stage Manager.
Raven Theatre
Founded
in 1983, Raven Theatre is dedicated to breathing new life into American
classics and exploring other works that illuminate the American
experience, with occasional forays into world classics. In addition to
its regular season, Raven produces a Workshop Series of new and
experimental productions, as well as an Educational Outreach program,
including teaching partnerships with various Chicago Public Schools,
summer youth classes and original children's shows performed at Raven
Theatre.
Raven Theatre
Company is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency,
Polk Bros. Foundation, Yates-Feldman Foundation, The Lloyd A. Fry
Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, , The Field
Foundation, The Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, The
Alphawood Foundation, The Arts Engagement Exchange through The Chicago
Community Trust, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard
H. Driehaus Foundation, S & C Electric Company, The Department of
Cultural Affairs, CityArtsII, a city agency, The Arts Work Fund for
Organizational Development through The Chicago Community Trust and The
Kinder Morgan Foundation
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