presents
The Four of Us by Itamar Moses
Cast David............................................................................................................................... Usman Ally* Benjamin................................................................................................................ Collin Geraghty Understudy (David).................................................................................Raymond Shoemaker Understudy (Benjamin)...............................................................................................Casey Kells Crew Director................................................................................................................. Jeremy Wechsler Assistant Director................................................................................................Jason W. Gerace Scenic Design.............................................................................................................Roger Wykes Lighting Design...................................................................................................... Scott Pillsbury Costume Design............................................................................................Christine Pascual** Sound Design............................................................................................................Joseph Fosco Stage Manager............................................................................................ Wendye Clarendon* * Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional stage managers in the United States ** Denotes member of United Scenic Artists Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Thanks to The Saints for providing ushers for the performances. Time: Between 2007 and 1997 The Four of Us has a running time of 90 minutes with no intermission Theater Wit 1
BIOGR APHIES Usman Ally (David) has previously worked with Itamar Moses in CELEBRITY ROW (ATC) and is making his Theater Wit Debut. Some stage credits include: THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY (OffBroadway Premiere at Second Stage, and world premiere at Victory Gardens), ARABIAN NIGHTS (Lookingglass), AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Baltimore Centerstage and KC Rep), WEAPON OF MASS IMPACT (Red Orchid), RELATIVELY CLOSE (Victory Gardens), TRANQUILITY WOODS (Steppenwolf ) , AMERICAN ETHNIC (Remy Bumppo). Film Credits: THE GROUP, CHICAGO OVERCOAT, and Steven Soderbergh’s CONTAGION. Television Credits: RIDE ALONG (FOX) Ensemble Member at American Theater Company. Collin Geraghty (Benjamin) originally hails from northern Wisconsin, but happily calls Chicago his home now. Collin previously worked with Itamar Moses, playing TELEMANN in BACH AT LEIPZIG at Milwaukee Rep. Other professional stage highlights include: DENTAL SOCIETY MIDWINTER MEETING (Laura Jacqmin/at play productions/Chicago Dramatists); THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS (understudy – Steppenwolf ); PERICLES (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); THE CRUCIBLE and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); MACBETH, MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, and THE PLAY’S THE THING (American Players Theatre); IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY, and THE SILVER PROJECT (American Theater Co.). Collin also improvises from time to time. Collin is a graduate of Marquette University and a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Raymond Shoemaker (Understudy, David) marks his debut with Theater Wit, a company whose work -- and work ethic -- he has admired for a long time. Six months later, he is still happy for them as they settle into 2 Theater Wit
their swanky new Belmont digs after last spring’s Spin and now Itamar Moses’ wonderful The Four of Us. Raymond was fortunate to have spent the summer of 2010, causing a ruckus up at Mary-Archie Theatre in CHERRYWOOD: THE MODERN COMPARABLE. He has also worked with Remy Bumppo, Circle, and the talented folks at The Gift Theatre. Itamar Moses (Writer) is the author of BACH AT LEIPZIG, produced in 2007 by Writers’ Theatre in Glencoe to much critical and box office acclaim. His other plays include OUTRAGE, CELEBRITY ROW, YELLOWJACKETS, BACK BACK BACK, and COMPLETENESS, and an adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE. His work has appeared Off-Broadway and elsewhere in New York, at regional theaters across the U.S. and Canada, and has been published by Faber & Faber, Vintage Heinemann Press, Playscripts Inc., and Samuel French, Inc. He has received commissions from The McCarter Theater, Playwrights Horizons, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Wilma Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, and South Coast Rep. Moses holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU and has taught playwriting at Yale and NYU. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, MCC Playwrights Coalition, Naked Angels Mag 7, and is a New York Theatre Workshop Usual Suspect. He was born in Berkeley, California, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Jeremy Wechsler (Director) is the artistic director of Theater Wit where he has directed 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 theaters, including:
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) THE FLU SEASON (Will Eno), A TASTE OF HONEY (Shelagh Delaney – best show of 2007, The Wall Street Journal), THE PLAY ABOUT THE SQUIRREL (Mia McCullough), THE WHITE DEVIL (John Webster), THE REAL THING (Tom Stoppard), 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: BLOOD OF A NATION (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 (Masteroff/ Kander/Ebb) and THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Brecht/Weill). 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.
10X10 Festival, and curated THE SILVER PROJECT, a festival of new plays by national and Chicago playwrights celebrating ATC’s 25th season, presented during the 2010 TCG National Conference. Other Chicago credits include assistant directing AWAKE & SING! At Northlight, under the direction of Amy Morton, THE OVERWHELMING at Next Theater and THE NORTH PLAN at Steppenwolf under the direction of Kimberly Senior (Jeff nomination for Best Production) and SEX WITH STRANGERS under the direction of Jessica Thebus at Steppenwolf. Regional directing credits include HAMLET (Oklahoma Summer Shakespeare), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Oklahoma City Theatre Co.) THE MIRACLE WORKER (Theatrikos), LOVE LETTERS (Theatre Works), ANTIGONE and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Theatre for Young People). Jason originally hails from Anchorage, Alaska and holds an MFA in Directing from The University of Oklahoma. He is married to a truly amazing woman, who makes everything he does possible to begin with. He is an associate member of SDC.
Roger Wykes (Scenic Design) favorite Chicago designs include OH, BOY!, THE BODY SNATCHERS (City Lit Theater) OKLAHOMO! FOR THE Jason W. Gerace (Assistant Director) HOLIDAYS (About Face Theater) THE is Artistic Associate of American Theater LAST UNICORN (Promethean Theater Company. At ATC Jason directed the Ensemble) THE FLU SEASON and CAMP most recent production of IT’S A WON- FREEDOM (Black Sheep Productions). DERFUL LIFE: THE RADIO PLAY, which Mr. Wykes was born an raised in the was broadcast on WBEZ Chicago Public Oregon High Desert and received his Radio; assistant directed YEAST NATION BFA from Southern Oregon Universi(Jeff Recommended) and SPEECH & ty. http://rogerwykes.carbonmade.com DEBATE (Jeff nomination for Best Direction) under the direction of PJ Paparelli; Scott Pillsbury (Lighting Design) Associate Directed the World Premiere was the lighting designer for STAGE-M, of WELCOME TO ARROYO’S, by Kristofa community theater in Michigan for fer Diaz; Produced and directed the over 20 years. Since arriving in Chicago inaugural production of the Chicago in 2000, Scott has designed or assisted Chronicle project (part of ATC’s educathe designers for several different thetional outreach program), directed the ater and dance companies: Albany Park most recent remount of OKLAHOMA!, Theater Project, Ballet Chicago, Beverly produced and directed in the 2009 Big Theater Guild and Beverly Arts Center, Shoulders Festival, produced the first Colaboraction, Five Star Productions, Theater Wit 3
B I O G R A P H I E S ( c o n t .) GI Alliance, The Gift Theatre, Prevail Dance Company, Pure Renditionz, Shapeshifters Theatre and Theatre of Western Springs. Films: DEAD IN THE WATER, LAC DU FLAMBEAU, SOMETHING TO EAT and TAPIOCA. Christine Pascual (Costume Design) is excited to be working with Theater Wit. 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 Steppenwolf.. 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 Lo4 Theater Wit
cal 829 and Artistic Associate of Teatro Vista and Teatro Luna. She wishes to thank her family for their unending support. Upcoming projects include, 26 MILES for Teatro Vista/Rivendell, EL NOGALAR at the Goodman, JACKIE AND ME for Chicago Children’s Theater and MADAGASCAR at Next Theatre. Joseph Fosco (Sound Design and Original Music) is a Chicago based composer and sound designer. His recent designs include LOUIS SLOTIN SONATA and MISTAKES WERE MADE at A Red Orchid Theatre, where he is a member of the Artistic Ensemble, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE with Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run, INTO THE WOODS with Porchlight Music Theatre, and SWEET CHARITY with Roosevelt University. Additionally, Joseph has composed music for film and video. Joseph was nominated for a New York Drama Desk Award, and has received a Joseph Jefferson Award, 2 Joseph Jefferson Citations and 2 After Dark Awards. Visit www. josephfosco.com for more information. Wendye Clarendon (Stage Manager) most recently stage managed AIMING FOR SAINTHOOD at The Jay Pritzker Pavillion for Chicago Dramatists. Previous shows include A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN’S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT for A Red Orchid and SHEAR MADNESS at The Chicago Theatre. As an actor, Wendye is an Associate Artist at Chicago Dramatists and has worked with Stage Left, Human Race Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, Goodman Theatre along with several theaters in Dallas. Many thanks to Jeremy, for her Theater Wit debut and the opportunity to work in such a cool environment, and her husband Errol McLendon, for all of his undying support.
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.
H I S TO R Y Theater Wit was founded in 2003 to offer audiences plays that keep up with modern interests and concerns with a sense of humor and perspective found in much of today’s popular culture. Since its inception, Theater Wit has produced seven Chicago premiere productions, forging strong relationships that have helped the careers of contemporary playwrights, such as Will Eno, Qui Nguyen, Tom Mula, and Penny Penniston. Theater Wit brought Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer Will Eno to Chicago audiences with the Jeff award winning, “beautiful, clever, blackly comic” Thom Pain (based on nothing). Of working with Theater Wit Artistic Director Jeremy Wechsler, Eno wrote: “I was…very impressed with his work, his vision, and his highly professional but deeply humane approach. He and Theater Wit are the very real thing.” Theater Wit is also responsible for bringing rising star Vietnamese American playwright Qui Nguyen to Chicago. Theater Wit gave Nguyen’s Men of Steel its “bold and breathtaking” second production in 2007 and its popularity led to a publishing deal with Broadway Play Publishing. Theater Wit recently finished a $1.3 million renovation on the old Bailiwick Arts Center. The building opened in April 2010 and features three 99-seat theaters, a full-time box office, a shared lobby with coffee and wine bar, handicapped accessibility, and valet parking. It will be home to Theater Wit, resident companies, and numerous visiting artists, creating a welcoming and professional home for the neighborhood to experience Chicago’s diversely talented theater scene. Photo: Milwaukee Rep
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U P C O M I N G T H E AT E R W I T P R O D U C T I O N S In 2010-11, Theater Wit will present a collection of plays that highlight the stress of success in a culture defined by money and media power.
OCTOBER The Four of Us by Itamar Moses CHICAGO PREMIERE A Chicago premiere by one of America’s hottest new playwrights, The Four of Us is a comedy about friendship, male bonding through competition and the price of success that chronicles the long-time friendship of a novelist and a playwright caught in an unintended power play for the title of Most Successful.
DECEMBER The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris (adapted by Joe Montello) Our holiday classic returns for it’s seventh straight year, once again starring Mitchell Fain who played to rave reviews and soldout houses in 2009. Don’t miss what Time Out Chicago calls “a martini-flavored antidote to Christmas cheer.” A celebration of the desperation of unemployment, the insanity of Christmas shopping and the ineffable “cheer” of the holiday spirit. This production sells out every year, so make your reservations soon.
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U P C O M I N G T H E AT E R W I T P R O D U C T I O N S ( c o n t . )
MARCH This by Melissa James Gibson CHICAGO PREMIERE After an evening’s parlour game among friends goes horribly, hilariously wrong, the characters find themselves adrift in a morass of romance, adultery, and friendship. In it’s New York production last December, Ms. GIbson’s play was called a “beautifully conceived, confidently executed and wholly accessible work, which is not just her finest to date but also the best new play to open Off Broadway this fall.” by the New York Times. Theater Wit is happy to bring Ms Gibson’s acute, verbally dazzling comedy to a Chicago stage for the first time.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! THEATER WIT WILL BE PRESENTING WORKS BY IT’S RESIDENT AND VISITING COMPANIES ALL YEAR! HERE IS A COMPLETE LISTING OF SHOWS HAPPENING THIS FALL:
Stage Left Theatre Kingsville October 15th – Novermber 21st
New Millennium Theatre Company The Bowie Christmas Special 1977 November 12th – December 18th
Theater Wit The Four of Us October 22nd – December 4th
Theater Wit The Santaland Diaries November 26th – December 19th
About Face Theatre Float November 11 – December 12
Bohemian Theatre Ensemble The Elephant Man January 7 – February 6
Call the Theater Wit Box Office for tickets 773-975-8150 or visit us online at theaterwit.org
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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 four 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 our one roof.
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 Nadia Garofalo, Mikey Laird......................................................................................... Box Office Jay Kelly, L.C. Williams & Assocs......................................................................... Press Relations Michelle D. Miller and John D. Neumann, Jones Day................................................... Legal Richard Kasemsarn........................................................................................................... Architect David Trent Zilmer..........................................................................................General Contractor BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kathryn Stieber.................................................................................................................President Paul Danao................................................................................................................Vice-President Charles Hornewer............................................................................................................. Treasurer Steve Owen........................................................................................................................Secretary Todd Goldberg Ashley Nelson Neal Smyth Bruce Wechsler
G E T A F L E X PA S S To take full advantage of all the productions and companies in the space, you can purchase a FLEX PASS for any and all productions in the building. One pass will let you see up to 10 shows at Theater Wit. Bring a date to 5 shows or a crowd of 10 to one show--it’s up to you. Make sure you are on our mailing list to get this great ticket offer for $205 -- a savings of up to 35% off. Call our box office at 773-975-8150 for details or visit us online at theaterwit.org. 8 Theater Wit