WORLD PREMIERE OF UPON THIS SHORE: A TALE OF PERICLES AND THE DAUGHTERS OF TYRE VIA IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY MARCH 3 - APRIL 3, 2022

ChiIL Live Shows On Our Radar  

IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM 

FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 

UPON THIS SHORE: A TALE OF PERICLES AND THE DAUGHTERS OF TYRE, MARCH 3 - APRIL 3, AT THE EDGE OFF-BROADWAY THEATER

This New Version of Shakespeare’s Pericles is Adapted and Directed by 

Artistic Director Evan Jackson+ 

I'll be out to review on March 6th. In the meantime, check back with ChiIL Mama early and often. 

Idle Muse Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast for its world premiere production of Upon This Shore: A Tale of Pericles and the Daughters of Tyre, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Evan Jackson+, March 3 - April 3 at The Edge Off-Broadway Theater, 1133 W Catalpa Ave. The performance schedule for Upon This Shore… includes two preview performances Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and are $20, general admission; $15, students and seniors and $10 for Thursday Industry Nights at idlemuse.org or the Idle Muse Theatre Company Box Office, 773.340.9438.

“Best for Winter, our last adapted Shakespeare production before the pandemic, represented a process through which Idle Muse began to explore a path forward in a world deeply affected by widespread abuses and loss,” said Jackson. “My hope is that Upon this Shore: A Tale of Pericles and the Daughters of Tyre will be a similar process through which we can explore the work of reuniting after a long separation, both as a company and as a community.”

This new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a story about being shipwrecked—over and over again. It’s about those cast reeling, broken against strange shores by unfeeling and inexorable forces, separated from everyone and everything they know. But it’s also about reaching: reaching across the divide to those who have been taken, casting off again to find them...risking being broken again and finally swallowed by the depths. Believing there’s a shore on the other side where a light has been left on for you. It’s about the trail of kindnesses we leave behind to light the way home.

The cast includes Brendan Hutt+, (Pericles); Mara Kovacevic*, (Thaisa); Watson Swift+,(Simonides/Antiochus); Elizabeth MacDougald* (Cerimas), Xavier Lagunas+ (Thaliard), Jennifer Mohr* (Lysimacha); Laura Jones Macknin*, (Helicanas); Morgan Manasa*, (Captain/Bawd); Linsey Falls*, (Escanes/Pander); Kade Cox+/^, (Cleon); Christina Renee Jones*, (Dyonyza); Caty Gordon*, (Marina); Erik Schnitger+ (Bolt) and Ross Compton+, (understudy Simonides/Antiochus).

The creative team includes Evan Jackson+/~ (director); Libby Beyreis*, (fight choreographer); Jennifer L. Mickelson*, (intimacy designer); Laura Wiley*/~, (lighting & projection designer); Kati Lechner*/~,(music director); L.J. Luthringer+, (music & sound designer); Jessie Gowens*, (costume designer); Tristan Brandon+/~, (properties designer/literary manager/dramaturg); Carrie Hardin*, (speech & dialect coach); Becky Warner*, (stage manager); Shellie DiSalvo*/^/~, (production manager) and Michael Dalberg+/~, (board member at large).

~Connotes Idle Muse Theatre Company Member 

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs); = (any with respect)

 

ABOUT EVAN JACKSON+, ADAPTOR AND DIRECTOR 

Evan Jackson serves as the artistic director of Idle Muse Theatre Company, a position he has had the honor of holding since the company’s inception. He has directed 13 previous productions for Idle Muse Theatre Company, including last season's Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare adapted from the Winter’s Tale and other works and Equivocation; The Lion in Winter and Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (both Jeff-Recommended); The Hound of the Baskervilles; The Talking Cure; Rites and Sacrifices, a world premiere by Chicago playwright Jennifer L. Mickelson; Enchanted April; The Scullery Maid. He was also director and co-adaptor of Shotgun Shakespeare: What the Weird Sisters Saw with Idle Muse’s Literary Directo  Tristan Brandon. Outside directing projects include several short plays in the Martin de Maat New Works Festival at Boxer Rebellion Theatre, and two summers serving as assistant director for Shakespeare on the Green in Lake Forest. Jackson is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, where he received his MFA in Directing.

ABOUT IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY 

Idle Muse Theatre Company’s mission is to produce theatre that is transporting,  timely and true. The company was established in 2006 by theatre artists interested in  exploring the relationship between individuals and the worlds they inhabit. Seeking to  create production opportunities for themselves and other artists, they established a modern ‘guild’ of players and environment where theatre artists of different experiences and backgrounds could develop their craft. Today, IMTC remains focused on the following core values: 

Transporting: We believe that great theatre removes both audience members and  artists from their respective reality and transports them to another world. 

Timely: We believe that human connection can be accomplished through  meaningful, relevant, and accessible storytelling here and now. 

True: We believe in unflinching honesty in our signature form of storytelling. 

In 2022, Idle Muse Theatre Company also began a profit share model with performers and cast members of each production. In addition to any stipend or payment for services, all cast and production members will receive a percentage of profits after production and marketing costs. 

 

COVID policy: In accordance with the city of Chicago guidelines, individuals over the age of five years old must show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and those 16 years old and older will also need to provide identification that matches their vaccination record. A negative test is not an acceptable substitute.  Additionally, masks are to be worn at all times. 

Idle Muse is continuing to monitor the evolving public health situation and will update this guidance as necessary to protect the safety of our audience, cast and production team.  

Idle Muse Theatre Company is partially supported and funded by generous grants  from The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus  Foundation.  

The Edge Theater Off-Broadway has paid street parking and is wheelchair  accessible with complimentary assisted listening devices available. It is located near the Red Line Bryn Mawr stop and is on the 36 Broadway bus route

 

REVIEW: Idle Muse Theatre Company's Best for Winter, Now Playing Through April 20, 2019

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

Best for Winter, 

being a short Shakespeare adapted from The Winter’s Tale and other works 

MARCH 21 – APRIL 20, 

AT THE EDGE THEATER OFF-BROADWAY



 William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale is Adapted and Directed by Evan Jackson in this Tale of Laughter, Survival, Transformation and What it Means to be Alive Right Now

Guest Review
By Catherine Hellmann

One of my favorite aspects of Chicago is how a little storefront can be modestly hiding a theatrical treasure. Such is the case with this little gem in The Edge Theater Off-Broadway, a new space at 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. in Edgebrook. Idle Muse Theatre Company proudly performs its first play of 2019, Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare adapted from The Winter’s Tale and other works, adapted and directed by Evan Jackson. Described as a: “Tale of Laughter, Survival, Transformation and What it Means to be Alive Right Now.”

One of Shakespeare’s “problem plays” (Is it a comedy? Is it a tragedy?) receives a fresh overview by the Idle Muse Theater Company in this abridged version. The play begins on a rather simple raised set with an overarching tree. King of Bohemia, Polixenes, played by Erik Schnitger, has been visiting his childhood friend, the King of Sicilia, Leontes, ably played by Brian Bengtson. Queen Hermione is radiantly pregnant with her husband Leontes’ child...or is she?? 

(L to R) Mara Kovacevic* as Hermione and Paula Hlava as Mamillias in BEST FOR WINTER, BEING A SHORT SHAKESPEARE ADAPTED FROM THE WINTERS TALE AND OTHER WORKS from Idle Muse Theatre Company

All Photos by Steven Townshend 

Mara Kovacevic is lovely as the expectant queen. She looks sweetly at her husband and all seems well...until she seems too friendly with their houseguest, causing a jealous outburst from Leontes, who convinces himself that the anticipated child belongs to his best friend, not his own offspring.  

(L to R) Elizabeth MacDougald* as Paulina and Brian Bengtson* as Leontes

Because of Leontes’ overactive imagination, all hell breaks loose. The enraged king tries to persuade his most trusted servant, Camillo, to kill Polixenes. Convinced the queen is innocent, Camillo warns Polixenes, and they depart for Bohemia together. Meanwhile, Leontes has his pregnant queen thrown into jail, where she gives birth to their daughter.

The child is abandoned on the coast of Bohemia, where she is found as raised by a shepherd; he names her Perdita. After intermission, we jump 16 years ahead. Perdita is now as lovely as her dear mother. She is being courted by the son of Polixenes, Prince Florizel, in disguise (of course!), as a shepherd. And to reveal any more would not be fair...let’s just say All’s Well That Ends Well.

Brian Healy as Florizel 

Kristen Alesia as Perdita

The young lovers are played by Kristen Alesia and Brian Healy, who are charming. Also deserving special recognition is Laura Jones Macknin as Camilla.

Laura Jones Macknin* as Camilla 

This energetic, earnest cast obviously has great joy for what they are performing. I hope their audience finds them in this little theater.    

And on that note, I will end with the famous and curious stage directions from A Winter’s Tale: “Exeunt, pursued by a bear…”


Catherine Hellmann really loves theater and her kids...her son's Quiz Bowl team once had "Exeunt, pursued by a bear" made into pins because they loved the obscurity of the only stage directions given by the Bard. 

(L to R) Morgan Manasa as Time, Toma Lynn Smith as Emilia and Elizabeth MacDougald* as Paulina

More About BEST FOR WINTER: 

Idle Muse Theatre Company proudly announces its first play of 2019, Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare adapted from The Winter’s Tale and other works, adapted and directed by Evan Jackson, March 21 – April 20, at The Edge Theater Off-Broadway, a new space at 1133 W. Catalpa Ave. Previews are Thursday, March 21 and Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with an added performance Wednesday, March 27 at 8 p.m. Industry nights are every Thursday performance with tickets for industry professionals at $10. 

Tickets are $10 for previews and $20 for regular performances and are on sale now at idlemuse.org or by calling 773.340.9438.

Watson Swift as Cleomenes

The ensemble of Idle Muse Theatre Company explores this classical fantasy with an impossible ending. Shakespeare’s story of human beings living in a world broken by the unforgivable acts of a man in power is the basis for this new adaptation focused on feelings and actions and as recognizable in 2019 as they were in the Bard’s time.  “The Idle Muse Ensemble felt it was deeply necessary that we tell a story about being alive right now, both for our audiences and for ourselves,” said Artistic Director Evan Jackson.  “By definition, a play is a set of circumstances and story that have no choice but to find an ending – and you could say this is a play with no roadmap to get there.  At the same time, Idle Muse was formed in the belief that we can uncover truths about the human experience through the work of theatre.  That if we do everything we can to approach the work in good faith and live truthfully under those imaginary circumstances, then we can use the vehicle of a play to approach impossible questions.  So, we’re not looking to find forgiveness at the end of this story.  Maybe forgiveness isn’t possible for some things.  But maybe the act of finding the human part of what it is to be alive right now can be something like forgiveness.  Maybe something more important – something like hope,” continued Jackson.

The cast of Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare adapted from The Winter’s Tale and other works features: Brian Bengtson*, “Leontes;” Mara Kovacevic*, “Hermione;” Erik Schnitger, “Polixenes;” Laura Jones Macknin*, “Camilla;” Elizabeth MacDougald*, “Paulina;” Brian Healy, “Florizel;” Kristen Alesia, “Perdita;” Michael Dalberg*, “Autolycus;” Sara Robinson*, “Antigonis;” Paula Hlava, “Mamillias;” Eric Duhon, “Shepherd;” Joel Thompson*, “Clown;” Watson Swift, “Cleomenes;” Morgan Manasa, “Time;” and Lauren Grace Thompson, “U/S Perdita/Cleomenes.”

(L to R) Joel Thompson* as Clown and Michael Dalberg* as Autolycus 

(L to R) Eric Duhon as Shepherd and Joel Thompson* as Clown

The production team for Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare adapted from The Winter’s Tale and other works features: Evan Jackson*, director; Heather Zink, calling stage manager; Shellie DiSalvo*, production manager and rehearsal stage manager; Laura Wiley*, echnical director, lighting design and projection design; Milo Bue, scenic design; Joshua Allard, costume design; Tristan Brandon*, dramaturgy and prop design; L. J. Luthringer, sound and music design; William Sidney Parker*, consultant; Kati Lechner, vocal coach and Sarah Scanlon, intimacy design.   *connotes an Idle Muse Theatre Company Ensemble Member ABOUT EVAN JACKSON, adapter and director Evan Jackson is the artistic director and co-founder of Idle Muse Theatre Company.  He is an 18-year veteran of Chicago Storefront theatre as an actor, director, playwright and producer.  Jackson is a graduate of The Theatre School, DePaul University in Chicago, where he received his MFA in Directing Theatre. At Idle Muse, he has directed 11 productions, including the company’s Jeff-recommended productions of Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure and The Lion in Winter.

(L to R) Morgan Manasa as Time and Sara Robinson* as Antigonis 

ABOUT 2019 YEAR OF CHICAGO THEATRE 
Idle Muse Theatre Company is proud to be part of the 2019 Year of Chicago Theatre, presented by the City of Chicago and the League of Chicago Theatres. To truly fall in love with Chicago, you must go to our theatres. This is where the city bares its fearless soul. Home to a community of creators, risk-takers and big hearts, Chicago theatre is a hotbed for exciting new work and hundreds of world premieres every year. From Broadway musicals to storefront plays and improv, there’s always a seat waiting for you at one of our 200+ theatres.
ABOUT IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY 
Idle Muse Theatre Company is a 501 (c3) non-profit charity organization that produces theatre that transports. Established in 2006 by theatre artists who were interested in exploring the relationship between individuals and worlds they inhabit and seeking to create production opportunities for themselves and other artists. In order to do this, Idle Muse created a “modern guild” of players, an environment where theatre artists of different experience levels and backgrounds could develop their craft and learn from each other. 

Visit Idle Muse virtually at IdleMuse.org and on Twitter (@IdleMuseTheatre), Facebook (/IdleMuseTheatre) and Instagram (@IdleMuseTheatre). 

Idle Muse Theatre Company is partially supported and funded by generous grants from The MacArthur Funds for the Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.   The Edge Theater Off-Broadway has paid street parking and is wheelchair accessible with complimentary assisted listening devices available. It is located near both the Red Line Berwyn and Bryn Mawr stops and is on the 36 Broadway bus route.