Shaw vs Chesterton-Provision

Where Vision and Values Meet

proudly presents

SHAW VS. CHESTERTON: THE DEBATE Adapted and Directed by Timothy Gregory

This theater is a proud member of the

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate

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P R O D U C T I O N I N F O R M AT I O N Director – Timothy Gregory*+ Scenic Designer – Inseung Park+ Lighting Designer – Marly Wooster Costume Designer – Cara Adams Sound Designer – Daniel Carlyon Technical Director/Production Manager – Alfredo Aguilar Production Stage Manager – Kari Warning* * Denotes member of Actors Equity Association + Denotes Provision Theater Company Member September 8 – October 28 Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm Sundays at 3:00pm 1001 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago IL www.provisiontheater.org There will be no intermission.

Please turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other noise making devices.

Please note that the use of cameras (with or without a flash) and the use of recording devices is strictly prohibited.

CAST George Bernard Shaw.............................................................................................Lawrence McCauley* GK Chesterton.................................................................................................................. Brad Armacost*+ Belloc.................................................................................................................................... Michael Downey Shaw Understudy................................................................................................................... Mike Rogalski * Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association + Denotes Provision Theater Company Member PROGR A M Location: London, England Time: 1927 Setting: Kingsway Hall Auditorium OUR MISSION Provision Theater Company is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation, and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose.

SPECIAL THANKS The Staff of Easter Seals, Saint Ignatius College Prep, the Provision Theater Board Members, our dedicated Financial Supporters, and our wonderful Volunteers and Interns.

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Provision Theater

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F Director...........................................................................................................................Timothy Gregory*+ Scenic Designer.....................................................................................................................Inseung Park+ Lighting Designer.................................................................................................................Marly Wooster Costume Designer.....................................................................................................................Cara Adams Sound Designer.................................................................................................................... Daniel Carlyon Production Manager/Technical Director/Assistant Stage Manager................. Alfredo Aguilar Production Stage Manager................................................................................................. Kari Warning* Master Electrician.................................................................................................................. Scott Pillsbury Carpenter/Rigger......................................................................................................................... Jason Clark Dramaturg.................................................................................................................................. Molly Clasen Assistant Director....................................................................................................... Marzena Bukowska Scenic Painters................................................................................... Hayley Carbonaro, Ashley Woods * Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association + Denotes Provision Theater Company Member P R OV I S I O N S TA F F Founding Artistic Director.......................................................................................Timothy Gregory*+ Education Director/Office Manager/House Manager...................................... Priscilla Hummel+ Box Office Manager........................................................................................................ Megan Gallagher Marketing Coordinator.........................................................................................................Lynda Pasteur Facilities Manager............................................................................................................... Alfredo Aguilar Resident Production Stage Manager.............................................................................. Kari Warning* Assistant Box Office Manager.............................................................................................Kenneth Heft Box Office Associates.........................................................................Cara Dickason, Martin Gonzalez Web Designer.................................................................................................................................Luke Renn Photographers.................................................................................................................Megan Gallagher,

John Gedeon Jr.+, John Hockberger * Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association + Denotes Provision Theater Company Member P R OV I S I O N C O M PA N Y M E M B E R S Brad Armacost* Rod Armentrout* John Gedeon Jr. Alex Goodrich* Timothy Gregory* Priscilla Hummel Alaric Jans Michael Mahler*

Susan Moniz* Lia Mortensen* Inseung Park Isaac B. Turner Colin Wassmund *Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association

P R OV I S I O N B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Bruce Leep, Chair Timothy Gregory John Hockberger

Dennis Massaro Kevin Moore Frances Ryan Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate

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W R I T E R / D I R E C TO R ’ S N O T E S Last year, in my research for an entirely different project, I stumbled upon the transcripts of actual debates and exchanges between George Bernard Shaw and G.K. Chesterton. I was impressed by how brilliant, humorous and entertaining both gentlemen were in making their respective cases. I was also struck by how eerily relevant their arguments were almost 100 years ago in relation to many of the same arguments we hear from politicians and pundits today. Most of all, I was shocked to learn that while they vehemently disagreed on just about everything, they were also great friends. So, that provoked a question: in a world where it seems that we as a society are more polarized and divided than ever, can we really be friends with those who do not share our deepest convictions? Or do we fall into the trap of relegating them to the proverbial status of “evil, crazy or stupid”?

I think we can learn from Shaw and Chesterton. In their constant turning toward each other in difference, these “fighting friends” achieved real dialogue in debate. Through their debates, they showed us that our real opponent is not made of flesh and blood. Our real opponent is ignorance, and I hope that is the opponent of all of us as we engage those with whom we disagree. If so, we are fundamentally friends—not enemies—since we seek the same thing. This is a major reason why Shaw and Chesterton sought out each other. This is why we dare to consider those we disagree with as special friends and allies.

Their opposition helps us to be surer of the truth—as iron sharpens iron, as a sparring partner strengthens our muscles, or as a debate confirms our position.

SHAW VS CHESTERTON: THE DEBATE is part fact, part fiction, and is based on characters who actually lived. It is a historical work as well as a work of the imagination. Some “facts” have been altered because of the demands of the story. For example, there were many debates and exchanges between these two, but compiling them into one event was necessary for the theatricality of the play. Shaw, Chesterton, and Belloc were real people, and their characters are based on extensive research.

The following source material was used in the creation of this play: George Bernard Shaw: His Life and Personality by Hesketh Pearson The Portable Bernard Shaw edited by Stanley Weintraub Six Studies in Quarrelling by Vincent Brome Not Bloody Likely by Bernard Shaw Great Conversations by Louis Biancolli Collected Works by G.K. Chesterton In Defense of Sanity by G.K. Chesterton (selected by Ahlquist, Pearce and Mackey) Shaw and Chesterton: The Metaphysical Jesters by William B. Furlong Common Sense: Lessons from G.K. Chesterton by Dale Ahlquist Wisdom and Innocence: A life of G.K. Chesterton by Joseph Pearce G.K. Chesterton by Ian Ker The Annual of Bernard Shaw Studies edited by Fred D. Crawford

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Provision Theater

Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate

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CAST PROFILES Brad Armacost (GK Chesterton) is a Company Member of Provision Theater. For three years he portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, for which he received a Jeff Award nomination and had the pleasure of working with his son, Evan.

He followed as C.S. Lewis in C. S. Lewis, On Stage and Shadowlands, both of which received Jeff nominations. He has appeared with John Mahoney in A Life at Northlight Theatre and Seafarer at Steppenwolf. Other Steppenwolf appearances include Playboy of the Western World, Maria Arndt, and Faith Healer (for which he received the Joseph Jefferson Award). He has appeared at the Goodman Theatre in A Touch of the Poet (with Brian Dennehy), The Trip to Bountiful, Oedipus Complex, Zoo Story, and Chicago Boys. He was also seen last season in The Madness of King George and Elizabeth Rex at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Brad is an Artistic Associate with Seanachai Theatre and is currently nominated for his work last season in A Moon for the Misbegotten.

Michael Downey (Belloc) makes his Provision debut in this production.

He has his MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina and BS in Acting from Ball State University. Michael has acted locally with Lifeline Theatre, First Folio, American Theatre Company, 20% Theatre Company, and The Strange Tree Group. Outside of Chicago, Michael has appeared at the Phoenix Theatre and Theatre on the Square in Indianapolis, Indiana and at Theatre South Carolina and Trustus Theatre in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Provision Theater

Larry McCauley (George Bernard Shaw) takes this opportunity to thank Timothy Gregory for this opportunity to give his debut Provision Theater performance. No stranger to Chicago stages for this past half-century, Larry has also played in one Broadway show—Tennessee’s Night of the Iguana at Roundabout, New York—as Cherry Jones’ “Nonno.” Among many Shakespearean roles, Larry played Shylock in San Antionio for Arthur Bloom, author of recent biographies of Edwin Booth and Joseph Jefferson. In Chicago, he originated the part of Thomas Dunne in Sebastien Barry’s The Steward of Christendom and was grateful to be a member of Bill Pullinsi’s farce-troupe at Forum Theatre for a number of seasons. He has performed in a good number of musicals at Candlelight, Marriott’s Lincolnshire, and Melody Top/Milwaukee, as well as Pacific Conservatory in California. Larry remains eternally grateful to his faithful colleagues (now lamentably deceased) Ajax the Cockapoo, Gertie the Dachshund, Charley the Yorkie, and Henrietta the Wonder-Cat (found back-stage at Wisdom Bridge). He has, for thirty-three continuous years, put his trust in a Power Greater than all princes and producers and so far it works.

Mike Rogalski (Shaw Understudy) played the roles of Mr. Kan and Mr. Smit in Provision Theater’s The Hiding Place and appeared as Mr. Klemper in the company’s production of The Boys Next Door. He has appeared in other Chicago-area productions as well, including work with SiNNERMAN Ensemble, Stage Left Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He is a member of the board of directors of Chicago dance company Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak.

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Timothy Gregory (Adapter/Director) is the Founding Artistic Director of Provision Theater. Recently at Provision, he has directed productions of The Foreigner, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, Bonhoeffer’s Cost, Wonders Never Cease, Sanders Family Christmas and Godspell.

Other Provision Theater directing credits include the Jefferson Award–Nominated productions of Shadowlands, The Hiding Place, C.S. Lesis On Stage, The Spitfire Grill, A Christmas Carol, Beast on the Moon and A Christmas Memory & The Thanksgiving Visitor. Other directing credits include The Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Welcome, Yule! at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera; Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre; The Twilight of the Golds, The Diary of Anne Frank and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry at the Apple Tree Theatre; Plaza Suite at the Lyric Theatre; and ’Dentity Crisis at the Studio Theatre.

Timothy’s acting credits include numerous roles at Provision Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, Next Theatre Company, as well as the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. His television credits include Cupid on ABC, DeClassified on WGN and Family Practice on LIFETIME. Timothy can now be seen as the host of HGTV’s New Spaces.

Marly Wooster (Lighting Designer) is pleased to be returning to Provision after designing The Foreigner last spring.

Other Chicago area credits include: Tunnel Rat with Genesis Productions, A Christmas Carol with Citadel Theatre, and House of Yes with 20% Theatre Chicago.

Outside the city, Marly has designed The Nutcracker and Art that Rocks for the Peoria Ballet, and many, many musicals for The Clinton Area Showboat Theater including: Rent, Evita, The Drowsy Chaperone, ...Spelling Bee, and Into the Woods. Marly has an MFA in Lighting Design from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. This fall, she will be designing Other People’s Money at Citadel Theater and Winter Wonderettes for Fox Valley Repertory Theater in St. Charles. Marly would like to thank Cassie and her family for their never-ending support.

Inseung Park (Scenic Designer) returns to Provision Theatre where previous credits include The Hiding Place (Jeff Award nomination in Scene design, 2010), Godspell, Sanders Family Christmas, Shadowlands, Wonders Never Cease, Bonhoeffer’s Cost, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, and The Foreigner.

He has designed for Overshadowed Theatrical Productions, South Bend Civic

Cara Adams (Costume Designer) Originally from Maine, Cara is a recent recipient of a BFA in Costume Design from the Theatre School at DePaul University. In addition to working with Provision, she is designing costumes with Fledgling Company’s The Blind Owl. Costume Design credits include Crave, Nancy Drew and The Sign of the Twisted Candles, Hedda Gabler, Cabaret, and

Provision Theater

Theatre, Looking Glass theatre in New York, and Indiana University South Bend where he teaches numerous design classes. His work is also shown in the film, Wake (grand prize in Kodak competition, 2004), which screened at numerous film festivals, including Cannes International Film Festival. Upcoming productions include The Mistakes Madeline Made for LiveWire Chicago, Smash for Indiana University South Bend, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for Theatre At The Center. He holds an MFA at University of Texas Austin and a BFA at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F B I O G R A P H I E S

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Blood Wedding. Cara is also interested University Opera Department, Next in illustration and has had art recently Theatre, Jonny Staxx Presents: Big Top featured in the North Center Arts Festival. Jojo, Collaboraction, Pegasus Players, as well as becoming a freelance electrician Daniel Carlyon (Sound Designer) has been for Chicago Spotlight, Event Creative and designing sound since he was fourteen and Chicago Stagehand. Outside of Chicago, doing it well since a few years after that. he has worked with Trumpet in the Land, At Provision: The Foreigner, The Christmas North Shore Music, Missoula Children’s Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, Bonhoeffer’s Theatre, Naples Dinner Theatre, Zeitgeist Cost (associate designer). Other credits: No Stage, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Stopping, No Warping, No Dying (Chicago Alfredo is excited to finally call Chicago his Inernational Fringe Festival), Henry V home and would like to thank his family, (Promethean Theatre Ensemble, also friends, Samantha, and cat Gizmo for all of original music), Waa-Mu 2012: Off the Map their love and support.

(Northwestern University), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (City Lit Theatre), Quake Kari Warning (Production Stage Manager) (Buzz22 Chicago, also original music), is thrilled to be returning to Provision Residue (Buzz22 Chicago), Titanic (Cock Theater as their Production Stage Manager. & Bull Theatre), Seven Doors (Premiere She last worked with Provision Theater Theatre and Performance), Sizzle: A Global as Production Manager/Assistant Stage Warming Comedy (New Suit Theatre),The Manager/Wardrobe Supervisor for their Body Snatchers (City Lit Theatre, also production of The Foreigner. Kari is a central video design). As assistant designer: Illinois native who graduated with a B.A Immediate Family (The Goodman), Murder in Theatre from Western Illinois University. for Two (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Kari began her stage management career Jeff nomination), The Retributionists in Coldwater, Michigan for Tibbits Opera (Playwrights Horizons), Broke-Ology House’s 2010 and 2011 summer stock (Lincoln Center Theatre), Short Shakespeare! seasons. Some Tibbits credits include: The Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre).

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Daniel graduated from Northwestern Crazy for You, The Full Monty, Working, Out University with a BA in Theatre. He will of Order and Run for your Wife. Favorite probably have a website soon.

Chicago credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Stage Alfredo Aguilar (Production Manager/ Manager, Moraine Valley Community Technical Director/Assistant Stage Manager/ College), Merrily We Roll Along (Costume Facilities Manager) Alfredo Aguilar is Supervisor, The Musical Theatre Company), excited to be joining the cast and crew of and My Fair Lady (Stage Manager, Moraine Provision Theater for the first time. He is a Valley Community College). Kari would like graduate of the Massachusetts College of to thank her parents, Corey, Mal, and Ryan Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA where he for all of their love and support. received his BFA in Arts Management and Theatre. Since graduating, he has traveled Scott Pillsbury (Master Electrician) has quite a distance, Technical Directing and designed, served as Master Electrician, or Production Managing for various theatre assistant designed for several different and production companies across the theaters and dance companies since U.S. In Chicago, he has worked with such arriving in Chicago in 2000: Albany companies as Polarity Theatre Ensemble, Park Theater Project, Ballet Chicago, The Building Stage, Northwestern Beverly Theater Guild and Arts Center, 12

Provision Theater

P R O D U C T I O N S TA F F B I O G R A P H I E S BoHo Theater, Collaboraction, Five Star Productions, GI Alliance, Gift Theatre, Neo Futurist, Prevail Dance Company, Prologue Theater, Pure Renditionz, Shapeshifters, Strange Tree, Theatre of Western Springs and Theatre Wit. Films: “Dead in the Water”, “Lac Du Flambeau”,“Something to Eat”, ”Tapioca and Measure”.

Molly Clasen (Dramaturg) is pleased to serve as the production’s dramaturg. She recently completed her Dramaturgy/ Literary Management internship at Actors Theatre of Louisville where she served as dramaturg for nine devised solo performance pieces, two productions for the Apprentice Company, and three tenminute plays. She has also worked as an assistant dramaturg for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Christmas Carol, and In the

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Next Room (or the vibrator play), as well as Oh, Gastronomy!, The Hour of Feeling, How We Got On, and The Veri**on Play during the 2012 Humana Festival. As an independent project, Molly wrote and co-produced The Car Plays, a five-part, site-specific series of one-act plays. An aspiring playwright and writer, Molly holds a bachelors degree in English Literature from Pacific University.

Marzena Bukowska (Assistant Director) is happy to return to Provision Theater where she was last seen in A Christmas Carol. Her theatre credits include works with Trap Door Theatre, First Folio, A Red Orchid, Eclipse, Pegasus, Borealis and Fourth Wall Productions. Marzena holds a BA in Theatre from University of Illinois at Chicago and an MFA in Performance from University of Georgia.

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE, AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN MERELY PLAYERS.” Open casting call for the Lead role (full time) of

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Provision Theater

HAMLET

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Featuring KAREEM BANDEALY*, MICHAEL CANAVAN*, SHANNON COCHRAN*, BILLY FENDERSON, WITOLD HUZIOR, TIMOTHY EDWARD KANE*, ROSS LEHMAN*, LIESEL MATTHEWS*, JULIAN PARKER, SCOTT PARKINSON* AND LARRY YANDO* *Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

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