Casting announced for world premiere of Mitera, opening at Berger Park's North Mansion in April

Casting has been announced for Strangeloop Theatre's world premiere of Mitera by Maria Burnham.

Directed by Company Member Letitia Guillaud, Mitera stars Allison McCorkle as Olga Sheridan, Holly Robison as Nitsa Sheridan, Lilly Apostolou as Dimitra Sheridan, Patricia Tinsley as Sharon Kaskalis and Michael Wagman as Dimitris Kokkinakis.

Set amongst a small Greek community in the American Deep South during the months preceding the Supreme Court's landmark decision in the gay marriage case Obergefell v. Hodges, Mitera tells the story of the Sheridan sisters who discover their mother, upon her death, has left their entire inheritance contingent on the youngest sister marrying within a year. If she fails to do so everything goes to their oldest male cousin in Greece. But the youngest sister is an unattached romantic who believes in marrying for love.

While the script is steeped in Greek-American culture and deals with the familial politics of same-sex relationships, Burnham said the script will be accessible to anyone who has ever disagreed with a family member, and especially to anyone who has ever been in love.

“Ultimately this is a story about love. Love between family members, the things people do for love, the bad choices people make in the name of love, the ridiculous lengths we go to out of love. That’s what makes all stories relatable regardless of setting,” Burnham said.  “It’s not the trappings of a play that make a story compelling or interesting to an audience, it’s the heart of the story being told.”

Burnham, who was raised in a small Greek-American community in Jackson, Mississippi, by her Greek mother and American father, said she pulled from her own life to create the characters in this play, but they are not based on any one person, and the story is completely imaginary.

“Although,” she added, “I could totally see my mom pulling something like this because she is really getting desperate for grandchildren.” 

You can find more backstory on Mitera via this blog or in this interview with the playwright from our fall fundraiser.

Mitera runs Thursdays through Saturdays April 7 through May 14 at 7:30 p.m. The site-specific production takes place at The North Mansion in Berger Park (6219 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60660).

Tickets are $5 for previews and $18 for the regular run and are available in advance through Brown Paper Tickets.

French With Me 6: A success!

Thanks to everyone who packed the house on Saturday, February 13, for French With Me 6: Le Salon. We so enjoyed sharing the love of the holiday with you.
 
Were you there? Want to relive the evening and see the photos of yourself from the event? Check out our photo gallery on Facebook. Tag yourself and share with your friends.

If you missed the event — that included a romance story involving the moon and sun, another featuring an extremely overprotective cat, a heartfelt monologue about rejection and a soul-stealing circus...well, there's always next year. 

Thanks again to all our sponsors, who played cupid to all this love: Chef Thom Ramirez, 525 Executive Sweets and Finch's Beer Co., and to the gentlemen of Arcana, who closed out the night with a crash, boom, bang!

Next up for Strangeloop? Mitera. Stay tuned for more information!

Theatre Week is HERE! Join us on the cheap

Strangeloop Theatre is participating in Theatre Week this year, which celebrates Chicago’s world-class theatre scene.

 Presented by the League of Chicago Theatres in partnership with Choose Chicago, Chicago Theatre Week is returning for its fourth year and takes place through February 21, 2016. Theatre lovers will again have the opportunity to choose from more than 100 productions (including ballet and opera)  with tickets ranging from $15 to $30 and, in some cases, even less..

Follow this link to get discount tickets to Strangeloop's production of French With Me 6: Le Salon at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613). And while you're there shop around for tickets to other amazing shows all over the city. 

French With Me tickets are ordinarily $25 and include free drink and food. But you can snag a Theatre Week ticket for only $15. Hurry. Supplies are limited!

French With Me 6: The Inexhaustible, Unpredictable, Amaranthine Shadow Circus

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages! Welcome to the Inexhaustible, Unpredictable, Amaranthine Shadow Circus. Prepare to be amazed, astounded, mesmerized! 

Here at the circus that always was and always will be, two people walk a dangerous tightrope known as love. Haunted by the circus itself, Edgar (Tim Lee) discovers that to win his beloved's heart, he only has to give up his soul.

Created by Strangeloop Company Member Maria Burnham, The Inexhaustible, Unpredictable, Amaranthine Shadow Circus is: The Ringmistress (Stefanie Johnsen); The Enchanting Empress of Elevation, Eliana (Ellen DeSitter); The Great Bela Ignato (Brian Rohde); The White Clown (Richie Schiraldi); The Red Clown (Orion Lay-sleeper), The Black Clown (Nicole Jordan) and The Clown Possibly Not Appearing In This Production (Casey Kells).

The circus rolls into town as part of French With Me 6: Le Salon at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613). Tickets are $25 in advance or at the door, and are available now through Brown Paper Tickets.  

French With Me 6 Bio: Nicole Jordan

Nicole Jordan (The Black Clown) is a performer, instructor, choreographer and director, working with several theatre companies and schools in Chicago. Nicole holds an M.F.A. in Physical Theatre from the Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy. She is well-versed in devised movement, various circus arts and Commedia dell'Arte. She is currently a circus arts instructor and the Manager of Operations for CircEsteem, a Chicago nonprofit youth circus. You can catch her movement direction in play at North Park University's upcoming production of Hotel Cassiopeia later this spring. She sends many thanks to Maria's engaging imagination and to this superbly sinister cast of innovators.

French With Me 6 Bio: Richie Schiraldi

Richie Schiraldi (The White Clown) holds a BFA in Physical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University, and he has been clowning his way through Chicago for a little over a year now. He has studied intensively for a year in Italy, learning Comedia, traditional European Clown, and Circus Arts. Recently, he has been part of a few ensemble-devised pieces such as Drunk Donkey, The Titus Andronicus Project and some solo work and performances. Now he teaches children to be spectacular circus stars. In his spare time, he enjoys embarrassing himself in public, telling bad jokes and long walks on the beach.

French With Me 6 Bio: Tim Lee

Tim Lee (Edgar) is very excited to be joining The Inexhaustible, Unpredictable, Amaranthine Shadow Circus. After studying theatre at Evangel University, he toured and performed as a part of the Skinny Improv. He decided to move to Chicago to pursue acting. Some of his most recent roles include, Busman in Strangeloop Theatre’s production of Rossum’s Universal Robots and as Andy in 101 Ways to Fall in Love with Bard and Fool Theatre. He is very proud to be an Associate Member of Strangeloop Theatre and part of Under the Gun Theatre’s ensemble. Thanks to Miona for always being there with love and support.

French With Me 6 Bio: Orion Lay-sleeper

Orion Lay-sleeper (The Red Clown) has been clowning around this broad shouldered, bustling city for the better part of three years now. He's played many roles, as varied as a murderous Shakespearean henchman, a  patriarchal shape-note singer, a crazed ringleader and a bulldog named Herman. He can be seen this March as Banquo with Nothing Special Productions. He is currently taking advantage of the burgeoning circus scene to hone is clowning and pick up a few new tricks. He'd like to thank the creative team for bringing him in to this delightful circus and hopes you enjoy the show!

French With Me 6 Bio: Ellen DeSitter

Ellen DeSitter (The Enchanting Empress of Elevation, Eliana) is an actress, movement performer, and visual artist. She studied theatre at Northern Illinois University and also studied performance abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre. Over the past few years, she has had the pleasure of working with Chicago companies Steep Theatre, Manual Cinema, Redmoon, Strangeloop Theatre, Collaboraction, Navy Pier, Suitcase Shakespeare, Cave Painting Theatre, The Windy City Players, and Starlight Radio Dreams. To learn more about Ellen, check out her webpage at ellendesitter.com.

French With Me 6 Bio: Brian Rohde

Brian Rohde (The Great Bela Ignato) is excited to be performing with Strangeloop for the first time. When not appearing in random one-off fundraisers and galas, Rohde is the Producing Director of Nothing Special Productions. You may recognize him as the host of NSP's FIGHT NIGHT (at which Strangeloop has performed on numerous occasions). Rohde has also appeared in numerous NSP shows, including 2014's immersive theatrical romp The Most Ado: A Party Play. He's also guilty of having written and directed all four installments of the Nightmare in Paradise series. If theatre had rules, it would be a sport.

French With Me 6 Bio: Stefanie Johnsen

Stefanie Johnsen (The Ringmistress) is the Dark Ringmistress of everything. EVERYTHING, PEOPLE!  She fought Krampus in Krampus! with Strangeloop. She ruled as the evil queen in Once Upon a Mattress at Starlight Bowl in Wilmette. She creeped out audience members at last years' Strangeloop French with Me as an inept mime. She broom battled as an S&M zombie witch in Witch Slap! with Babes with Blades. She hopes she has lived up to her idols Elvira, Divine, John Waters and Maleficent. Enjoy the show!!!

French With Me 6 Bio: Casey Kells

Casey Kells (The Clown Possibly Not Appearing In This Production) is glad to be working with Strangeloop Theatre once again! He most recently worked with them on their original production, Thinking Caps. Casey is a graduate of Roosevelt University and does theatre around Chicago.

French With Me 6: Cat Man Don't

This week, leading up to French With Me 6: Le Salon on Saturday, February 13, we'll be spotlighting the original performance pieces that have been created for this event.

 

In Cat Man Don't, Jean and Daryl have been dating for a few months now and they are finally at that point where things are about to get serious. They have a beautiful night out and Jean takes Daryl back to her place for some post-date recreation. It is here that Daryl meets Jean's beloved cat, Deirdre, for the first time. Unbeknownst to Jean and Daryl, Deirdre is not as cute and cuddly as she seems.

Written by Company Member Michael Wagman, Cat Man Don't stars Megan Donahue as Jean, Ben Page as Daryl and Erin Colleen Gordon as Dierdre.

 

French With Me 6: Le Salon takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613). Tickets are $25 in advance or at the door, and are available now through Brown Paper Tickets.  

French With Me 6: An Open Letter of Rejection

This week, leading up to French With Me 6: Le Salon on Saturday, February 13, we'll be spotlighting the original performance pieces that have been created for this event.

A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and increase the knowledge of the participants through conversation. To that end, Strangeloop Company Member Keith Gatchel will be working to increase your knowledge through his discussion of how Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young still applies to those who are single when you consider it on a quantum level, which or may not involve drinking a Pepsi.


French With Me 6: Le Salon takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613). Tickets are $25 in advance or at the door, and are available now through Brown Paper Tickets.

French With Me 6: Lover's Eclipse

It wouldn't be French With Me without the love-based stories that started it all. So this week, leading up to the gala on Saturday, February 13, we'll be spotlighting the original performance pieces that have been created for this event.

First up, Lover's Eclipse - The Untold Story of the Sun and the Moon conceived by Letitia Guillaud, is the silly, unscientific and unseen love story that unfolds between the sun and the moon during an eclipse.

Performers: Letitia Guillaud, Tim Lee and Miona Lee.

 

French With Me 6: Le Salon takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613). Tickets are $25 in advance or at the door, and are available now through Brown Paper Tickets.

French With Me 6: Spotlight on Arcana

No French With Me would be complete without a musical act. This year, we are pleased to announce, the Chicago-based brass band Arcana will perform at French With Me 6: Le Salon.

Arcana combines the fun and energy of a street brass band with the intimacy of an instrumental chamber quartet. Whether through crusty folk music, undanceable alt rock or brain-melting originals, Arcana endeavors to musically answer life's most important question: What would Werner Herzog do?

The band features the talents of Joe Clark (trumpet), Mark Hiebert (bari sax), Will Russell (tuba) and David Agee (drums).

French With Me 6: Le Salon takes place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, at Vagabond School of the Arts (4001 N Ravenswood Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60613). Tickets are $25 in advance or at the door, and are available now through Brown Paper Tickets.

Arcana can be heard monthly at the High Hat Club, including on February 18. So if you like what you hear at French With Me on February 13, you only have to wait five days to hear them again.