Theater Wit - Tigers Be Still

presents

Tigers Be Still

by Kim Rosenstock Cast (in order of appearance) Sherry................................................................................................. Mary Winn Heider Grace.............................................................................................................. Kasey Foster Zack...............................................................................................................Matt Farabee Joseph...........................................................................................................Guy Massey* Understudies................................................Aaron Kirby, Jim Poole, Casey Searles

Crew Director.................................................................................................Jeremy Wechsler Scenic Design.........................................................................................Andrei Onegin Lighting Design.............................................................................................Mike Durst Costume Design........................................................................... Christine Pascual** Properties Design................................................................................... Emily Bennett Sound Design................................................................................................Chris Kriz** Stage Manager.......................................................................................Nancy Staiger* Assistant Directors...................................................Caitlin Body, Jennifer Howard * Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional stage managers in the United States. ** Denotes Member of United Scenic Artists Thanks to The Saints for providing ushers for the performances.

Theater Wit thanks its generous supporters, which include the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Alphawood Foundation, and the James S. Kemper Foundation. Additionally, this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

World Premiere of TIGERS BE STILL produced in New York City by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia C. Levy; Executive Director) As part of Roundabout Underground. At the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre on October 6, 2010 The Play was developed in a professional workshop at Portland Stage Company, Portland, ME Theater Wit 1

BIOGR APHIES Mary Winn Heider (Sherry) is delighted to make her Theater Wit debut with TIGERS BE STILL. She has played Mary Hatch and Ma Bailey in ATC’s IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY for the last four years, and was a part of Redmoon’s HUNCHBACK, performing in Chicago, Washington DC, and in New York. She appeared as Nola in THE ATTEMPTERS with The House Theater Company, as Sonya in DEAD LETTERS with Big Theater, and as assorted doorknobs, villains, aliens and robots with Barrel of Monkeys, where she is also a company member.

Kasey Foster (Grace) moved to Chicago in 2004. Most of her Chicago performing experience has been with Redmoon Theater (BONEYARD PRAYER, PRINCESS CLUB, WINTER PAGEANTS...), but you might have also seen her on stage with Trap Door Theatre, Dog n’ Pony, High Concept Laboratories, Collaboraction, Red Tape, and The Anatomy Collective. Foster sings with local bands, This Must be the Band, Savvy, and The Dangerous Strangers. Foster’s original dance, clown, and puppetry works pop up in various variety venues. Her most recent full-length creation ran last October and was titled ASSIGNMENT #403. Foster also choreographs for musical theater, and is currently working at Edgewood Middle School. Foster produces a sporadic variety night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Ave. entitled NIGHT OF THE LIVING ENTERTAINERS, as well as a monthly Chicago talk show called THE MONTHLY VISIT WITH KEVIN O’DONNELL. She received her degree in Theater and Dance from hometown college, Indiana-Purdue University of Fort Wayne. She loves her family.

She loves you. Thanks for being here.

Matt Farabee (Zack) is thrilled be a part of TIGERS BE STILL with Theater Wit. His recent credits include, ELIZABETH REX (Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK (Eclipse Theatre Company). Matt is a Pavement Group Artistic Associate and was seen in 2 Tigers Be Still

PUNKPLAY (Steppenwolf’s Garage Rep) and MILKMILKLEMONADE (Chicago Dramatists).

His other recent credits include A BRIGHT NEW BOISE (Off-Broadway) and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST and LORD OF THE FLIES (Round House Theatre). Matt is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He has worked as a teaching artist for the National High School Institute and Northlight Theatre. Love to his friends and family.

Guy Massey (Joseph) holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Southern California.

He has been acting in Chicago for twenty years, performing in plays with The Steppenwolf Theater, The Gift Theater, Shaw Chicago, A Red Orchid Theater, Rivendell Theater,The Curious Theatre Branch, Theater Oobleck, Eclipse Theater, Greasy Joan & Co., Prop Thtr, Teatro Vista, Next Theater, and Wisdom Bridge, among others. Most recently, he has worked with The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and here in Chicago, just finished playing The Creature in the NeoFuturists smash up of Pinocchio/ Frankenstein. With Theater Oobleck, he played George W Bush in THE STRANGERER, both Off-Broadway at the Barrow Street Theater in Manhattan and in Chicago at the Chopin Theater. His earliest film credits include the 1980’s cult classic THREE O’CLOCK HIGH and the latest are The PROMOTION, STRANGER THAN FICTION, CONTAGION, and FRED CLAUS. Television credits include the Showtime series, SHAMELESS and the Pilot Episodes of The BEAST, The LINE, and The CHICAGO CODE. Aaron Kirby (Understudy) most recently appeared with Collaboraction in DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS. Other Chicago credits include: CYRANO (House Theatre), ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE (Project 891), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Chicago dell’Arte), A CHRISTMAS CARL (Chicago dell’Arte), VAUDEVILLE (Cold Basement), SPECTACLE LUNATIQUE (Redmoon).

INTERNATIONAL: THE GIRL OF 10,000 SMILES (Edinburgh Fringe). He also holds an MFA in Acting (Wayne State).

Jim Poole (Understudy) is delighted to be a part of this wonderful Theatre Wit production! Last seen as Mr. Chisholm in Strawdog’s THE PETRIFIED FOREST, Jim is an ensemble member of Steep Theatre

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) where his favorite roles have been Robert in UNDER THE BLUE SKY, Roote in THE HOTHOUSE, Steven in DEALER’S CHOICE, Major Major & Col. Cathcart in CATCH 22, and the Judge & Ciaphus in THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. Last month, Jim appeared on stage at the Annoyance Theater and just wrapped a principal role in the independent film, KING. A graduate of the Steppenwolf School, Jim acts up behind the mic and in front of the camera for various commercials and voice overs, as well as directing and writing corporate and promotional videos.

Casey Searles (Understudy) is thrilled to be working with Theater Wit on TIGERS BE STILL. Since moving to Chicago, she has worked with Collaboraction, Remy Bumppo, Quest Theatre Ensemble, and The State Theatre.

She is also a member of the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative where she makes and shows prints. Casey is a graduate of Indiana University, where she studied Theatre, Art History, and Printmaking.

McCullough), THE WHITE DEVIL (John Webster), SZINHAZ (Itamar Moses), THE DUCHESS OF MALFI (John Webster), TITUS ANDRONICUS (Shakespeare), THE ROARING GIRL (Thomas Middleton), FLIGHT (Mikhail Bulgakov), THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVERY TOLD (Paul Rudnick), THIS IS THE RILL SPEAKING (Lanford Wilson), HAY FEVER (Noel Coward), NOW THEN AGAIN (Penny Penniston), A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY (Brian Friel), EUROPE (David Grieg), HENRY VI (Shakespeare), THE PROMISE (Jose Rivera), UN ROBOT (Laura Jacqmin), THE COARSE ACTING SHOW (Michael Green), LIFE IS A DREAM (Calderon), THE PRISONER’S DILEMMA (David Edgar), CABARET (Kander/ Ebb) and THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Brecht).

He has taught at several universities, is an artistic associate at Collaboraction and currently serves on the board of the League of Chicago Theatres. His productions have been nominated for and won multiple awards for design, performance, adaptation and best new work.

Kim Rosenstock (Playwright) wrote TIGERS BE STILL, 99 WAYS TO F@%K A SWAN, and BRIDE*WIDOW*HAG. In addition, she conceived and co-wrote the musical FLY

BY NIGHT. She is currently working on a new musical with singer-songwriter Shaina Taub for Oregon Shakespeare Festival, as well as working on commissions for Roundabout Theater, Dallas Theater Center and Ars Nova where she was the 2011 playwright-in-residence and a member of the writers group, Play Group. She is a graduate of Amherst College where she first began writing plays under the mentorship of Constance Congdon. She subsequently earned her MFA in playwriting at Yale School of Drama. She is originally from Baldwin, Long Island.

Andrei Onegin (Scenic Design) is happy to design the set for TIGERS BE STILL. His other work in Chicago has included designing sets for CLUTTER (Madkap Production ), COLORED MUSEUM, BROTHERS OF THE DUST (BTA Award nomination for best set design) and THE NATIVITY ’10 AND ’11 at the Congo Square Theatre, RADIO GOLF, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Jeff Awards nomination for Outstanding production) and HEDDA GABLER (for Raven), CAT’S CRADLE (Lifeline), PRINCESS CLUB, THE BALLOON MAN and THE GOLDEN TRUFFLE (Redmoon), UNSUNG STARS (Moving Dock), THE DAY OF KNOWLEDGE (Stage Left), HAMLET (Yamaworks), FLOOD and ROSMERSHOLM (Alchimia). He received his MFA in 1992 from The Moscow Art Theater School.

Jeremy Wechsler (Director) is the artistic director of Theater Wit where he has directed the Chicago premieres of This (Melissa James Gibson), THE FOUR OF US (Itamar Moses), SPIN (Penny Penniston), FEYDEAU-SI-DEAU (Georges Feydeau), MEN OF STEEL (Qui Nguyen), THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING) (Will Eno), TWO FOR THE SHOW (James Fitzpatrick and Will Clinger) and THE SANTALAND DIARIES (David Sedaris and Joe Mantello). He has directed over forty shows in the last fifteen years at various theatres, including: A TASTE OF HONEY (Shelagh Delaney, “US Best of 2008” in The Wall Street Journal), THE PLAY ABOUT THE SQUIRREL (Mia

Mike Durst (Lighting Design) has worked on designs for premieres by Jonathin Tollins, Stephen Adly Guirgis,Austin Pendleton, and Stephen Belber. In Chicago Mike has designed for Lookingglass Theatre, About Face Theatre, Shattered Globe, Chicago Public Radio, Adventure Stages, and Theater Wit. Other credits. Pete Townshend in concert at La Jolla Playhouse. X, Live in Los Angeles at The House of Blues. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” THE NIGHTMAN COMETH National Tour. SPLITTING INFINITTY (Summer Play Festival NYC), STOCK HOME for NYC Fringe. Off-Broadway: EXTINCTION at Cherry Lane (Red Dog Squadron), SECRETS OF THE TRADE Primary Stages at 59e59.

Theater Wit 3

B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .)

Mike has received Chicago’s Jeff Award, Los Angeles’s Ovation Award, and San Diego’s Craig Noel Award.

Christine Pascual (Costume Design) is excited to be working with Theater Wit again. Recently, she designed WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION at Victory Gardens and FISH MEN at the Goodman. Previously for Rivendell/Teatro Vista she designed ELLIOT A SOLDIER’S FUGUE. Recently Christine has designed ERIKA’S WALL for Music Theatre Company, GL 2010: NOT YOUR GENERIC LATINA for Teatro Luna, SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at Court Theatre, the Pulitzer finalist, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY off Broadway at Second Stage Theatre and at Victory Gardens Theatre, OUR LADY OF THE UNDERPASS at 16th Street Theatre and for Teatro Vista, THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET at Steppenwolf, WELCOME TO ARROYO’S for American Theatre Company. Additional credits include LUNATICAS, JARRED FOR TEATRO LUNA, RELATIVELY CLOSE, THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO, HAMBONE, CONCERTO CHICAGO, SYMMETRY and BLACKBIRD for Victory Gardens, SANCTIFIED, St James Infirmary, JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE, SEVEN GUITARS, ELMINA’S KITCHEN, FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, A SOLDIER’S PLAY and BLACK NATIVITY for Congo Square Theatre, TEN CENT NIGHT for Chicago Dramatists, PIANO LESSON, THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, FLYIN’ WEST for The Court Theatre, LA RONDINE for Roosevelt University, TRUE WEST, TOPDOG UNDERDOG, PEOPLE’S TEMPLE, LIVING OUT for American Theater Company Elliot A SOLDIER’S FUGUE for Rivendell/Teatro Vista at Steppewolf.

Other theaters she has designed for are: Onyx Theatre, Defiant Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, Time Line Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Centerstage in Baltimore, International Mystery Writers Festival, Yale Baroque Opera Project, Infusion Theatre, Strawdog Theatre.

She is a member of the United Scenic Artists Local 829 and Artistic Associate of Teatro Vista and Teatro Luna.

Emily Bennett (Properties Design) is very excited to be working with Theater Wit! Emily graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a B.F.A. in Theatre Design this past December. Since graduating she has been working with Redmoon Theater as an aesthetics team member as well as doing a small installation for the new Ann and Robert Lurie Hospital. She also was 4 Tigers Be Still

the puppet designer for SIZZLE: A GLOBAL WARMING COMEDY (New Suit Theatre Company). In her spare time she runs a plush toy business, EeeBeeDee, on Etsy.com and is generally crafty.

Chris Kriz (Sound Design) works nationally as a composer and sound designer and is pleased to return to Theatre Wit having previously designed Spin and This. In Chicago, Chris has designed for companies including Northlight, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Victory Gardens and TimeLine.

Recent Chicago credits include THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER (Steppenwolf Theatre), BLACK PEARL SINGS (Northlight Theatre), PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Lifeline Theatre), AFTER THE REVOLUTION (Next Theatre), THE WORD PROGRESS ON MY MOTHER’S LIPS DOESN’T RING TRUE (Trap Door Theatre), OPUS (Redtwist), OLD TIMES (Strawdog Theatre), FESTEN (Steep Theatre) and CLOUD 9 (Gift Theate). Regional credits include the national tour of AMERICA AMERIQUE (Jena Company) and THE FALL OF THE HOUSE (Theatre Squared). Upcoming productions include THE NERD (Peninsula Players), I AM GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD (Chicago Dramatists) and THE LETTERS (Writers Theatre). To hear more of his work, please visit www.christopherkriz.com Nancy Staiger (Stage Manager) is excited to be doing her first production at Theater Wit with the multi talented Jeremy Wechsler at the helm. Previous Chicago productions include MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, BAD DATES (Fox Valley Repertory). WAR WITH THE NEWTS, RETURN TO HAIFA, THE METAL CHILDREN, END DAYS, MADAGASCAR, BOOM (Next Theatre) and UNVEILED (16th Street Theater). Before moving to the Chicago area, Nancy served as the Resident Production Stage Manager at Laguna Playhouse, a LORT theatre in Southern California. Of the nearly forty productions stage managed there, favorites include: THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO, AMERICAN BUFFALO, ROUNDING THIRD, THE SHAPE OF THINGS, SHEAR MADNESS, FOREVER PLAID, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE (with Sally Struthers), and the Playhouse produced national tours of COPENHAGEN and THE BELLE OF AMHERST (with Julie Harris).

Nancy moved to Chicago to be with family, enjoy the “great weather” and participate in exciting theatre. So far there are no regrets!

MISSION: SMART ART Theater Wit dedicates itself to producing plays that address contemporary issues with humor and intelligence. With groundbreaking new plays and classic works, Theater Wit seeks to engage its audiences with wit and wisdom.

Now a year at our newly renovated 3 theater complex, Theater Wit strives to create a welcoming and professional home for the neighborhood to experience Chicago’s diversely talented theater scene.

M O R E T H E AT E R . M O R E ! ! !

Take full advantage of all the productions and companies at Theater Wit MEMBERSHIP With a Theater Wit Membership, you can see as many plays as you want, year round, for $29/month: »» Reserve a seat at any production in our facility. Do it in advance or just drop by on impulse. »» Free ticket exchanges and replacement tickets. »» Attend as many different shows as you want each month. Come once, twice or five times a week at no additional charge. »» No initiation or startup fee, but members must agree to a three-month minimum. »» Twice a year, bring a friend for free.

FLEXPASS Theater Wit’s FlexPass allows you see anything in the building at a dramatically reduced price: »» Your FlexPass gives you 10 tickets for any shows at Theater Wit to be used any way you want for only $215. See 10 shows, go on 5 dates or just bring your 9 closest friends with you to a show. »» After ordering, you get a card in the mail within a week with your FlexPass code which can be used online, over the phone or at the box office.

Theater Wit 5

T H I S S P R I N G AT T H E AT E R W I T Bohemian Theatre Company The Rainmaker April 6 – May 6

The Strangetree Group Goodbye Cruel World June 13 – July 22

Griffin Theatre Company Kin April 28 – June 10

Bohemian Theatre Compnay Floyd Collins June 15 – July 15

Stage Left Theatre Leapfest 9 May 15 – June 3

Sideshow Theatre Company The Gacy Play June 23 – July 29

The Wit Bash A Haiku Hootennanny Fundraiser May 21st

Theater Wit Chicago Theater (anti-)Conference August 4 – 5

6 Tigers Be Still

T H E AT E R W I T S TA F F Jeremy Wechsler........................................................................................................................ Artistic Director David Wechsler....................................................................................................................Company Manager Mercedes Rohlfs............................................................................................................................Grant Director Mikey Laird.......................................................................................................................... Box Office Manager Josh Nordmark....................................................................................................................................Box Office Majel Cuza......................................................................................................................................Bar Manager Ryan Wesneski................................................................................................................................................. Bar Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Assocs.............................................................................................Press Relations Michelle D. Miller and John D. Neumann, Jones Day........................................................................Legal Jennifer Howard, Caitlin Body..................................................................................................................Interns Alicia Senior-Saywell, Veronica Mellado...................................................................................Volunteers BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kathryn Stieber...................................................................................................................................... President Paul Danao......................................................................................................................................Vice-President Charles Hornewer.................................................................................................................................. Treasurer Todd Goldberg Neal Smyth Bruce Wechsler

With so much going on at Theater Wit, we recommend you get our e-newsletter to keep up. Get updated news on our resident companies, pre-production insights, interviews and photos. You can also be our bestest ever e-pals by visting us at facebook.com/theaterwit.

Fill out a mailing list insert and give to any bartender, usher or house manager to get a free piece of chocolate, or sign up online at theaterwit.org/join.

WitRESIDENCE PROVIDING A HOME TO CHICAGO’S THEATERS Each season, Theater Wit offers its space to one or more companies to produce in year round.

The WitRESIDENCE program combines the principles of a cooperative and a traditional rental house to create a more cohesive, professional, and efficient nonprofit environment. In its facility, Theater Wit will play host to other Chicago theater companies on a minimum two-year basis. The resident companies will volunteer their time for space maintenance, share audience development initiatives, and gain a home under one roof. Meet our resident companies for 2011-2012!

B O H E M I A N T H E AT R E E N S E M B L E BoHo Theatre’s mission is to create theatre that incorporates the arts as a whole — Art for art’s sake.

BoHo’s vision is to challenge convention through literary originality and eclectic expression while fostering an ever-evolving artistic environment in which people are inspired to learn, think, dream, and feel. To teach others and ourselves how to expand, create, and present art through theatre while reveling not only in the process, but also in the journey. BoHo’s season is chosen to highlight and explore the four bohemian pillars of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and Love. Four shows, four pillars (and maybe a holiday musical thrown in for good measure!)

Theater Wit 7

S TAG E L E F T T H E AT R E Stage Left Theatre’s mission is to develop and produce plays that inspire debate about political and social topics. We focus on presenting complicated issues in the context of an engaging story, without prescribing a single point of view. We attempt to spark respectful debate about the issues most relevant to our community, and activate audiences to continue those conversations beyond the walls of the theatre. Stage Left also works to inspire playwrights to address political and social themes through our Downstage Left new work development program.

N E W M I L L E N I U M T H E AT R E C O M PA N Y New Millennium produces a varied season which focuses on new and non-traditional approaches to theater. They create plays geared to audiences who have been reluctant to attend traditional theatre offerings, producing shows that are fun and relevant to today’s complex audiences.

T H E AT E R W I T D O N O R S Over $5000 Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation James S. Kemper Foundation The Penniston Family Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation PAV John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Bruce & Sandy Wechsler $1000-$5000 Paul Danao Alan, Hedy, Roger, Eric and Julie Daniel Todd & Brandy Goldberg Tom Lally The Saints Kathryn Stieber Jeremy Wechsler $500-$999 Russell Ainsworth Anne Larson & Josh Vincent Lysaught Consulting Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Morris Art Murphy Susie & Rick Rieser Rebecca Shanahan The Saints $250-$499 Steve & Rose Owen Paczolt Insurance Neal Smyth & Martha Christensen Trent Zilmer / Z-Build design $100-$249 Debra Chesnin • Nancy & Vito Coletto • Cooper’s • Monina Danao • Maureen Eisenberg • Helmut & Elfie Freudenthaller • Joe Goodkin & Andrea Carr • Patrick Harmon 8 Tigers Be Still

• Jean Hornewer • Peter & Leighann King • James Kinoshita • Scot Kokandy • Todd Labinksy • John Lahti • Fran and Charles Licht • Mimi Lutwak & Steve Fitzgerald • Bridget A. Maile • Kevin Metke • Steve & Kelly Paczolt • Steve & Lizanne Phalen • Jeffrey & Penny Rappin • Lucius Reese • Alicia and Phil Senior-Saywell • Carol Stanley-Robbins • King & Fiona Tower • Jessica Turner • Jill Webb & Neil Gustafson $99 and under Greg Bach • Sharon Bergen • Erica Beringer • Johnpaul Cafiero • Sandra Carter • Claire Curley • Derek Czaplews • Daisy Danao • Russell Demers • Eleanor Deleth • Roberta Dillon • Helene Domash • Caitlin Fergus • Arnie Flank • Sam Franke • Aparna Ghosh • Megan Goldish • Janice Goldstein • Ann Gallucci • Alan Hirsch • Thom Hoffman • Suzanne Holden • Arnold Kasemsarn • Polly Kawalek • Arlene Kelly • Jay Kelly • Roger Kiley • Peter King • Karen Krolak and Jason Ries • Amanda Kulczews • Robert Lannin • Joan Lovell • Guadalupe Loyd • Gordy and Nancy Meyer • Sheila Monahan • Greg Morelli • Helen Moshak • Richard Murphy • Lindsey Pearlman • Henry Perritt • Corey Perry • Flor Pinho • Georgene Pope • Terry Quinn • James Radke • Beatrix Rashid • Hugh Riley • Gay Roberts • Peter C. Robinson • Martin Ryan • Dorothy Smith • Troy Smith • Carla Tcruz • Jeff Todd • Meg Tortorello • Bret Tuomi • Damayan Vasudevan • Gabe Villalpando • Denise Wilkinson • Anthony Williams • Richard Woodbury • Joe Zarrow • Roberta Ziccarelli