Apple - Profiles Theatre

Profiles Theatre will present the American Premiere of the award-winning drama Apple by Vern Thiessen, for a limited seven-week engagement from April 20, 2007 through June 3, 2007 at the Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Apple is a haunting tale of sex, secrets and second chances.  Andy has just lost his job and finds his sixteen-year old marriage to Lyn in crisis.  When he meets Samantha, a beautiful and sensuous young woman, Andy sees a chance to start life over again.  What happens next shatters Andy's image of who he is and what he thinks he wants.

Apple received its World Premiere at the Workshop West Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta in 2002.  It was the winner of the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play in 2002, the Alberta Play Competition and the Herman Voaden National Playwriting Competition.  The Edmonton Sun called Apple “an eloquent, resonant story of resurrection and enduring love” and the Edmonton Journal called it “a tightly knotted, carefully crafted play.”  Vue Weekly hailed it, “an emotionally powerful play examining honesty in relationships, unintended consequences and, ultimately, true love.”

Vern Thiessen is rapidly becoming one of Canada’s most produced playwrights. He has written for stage, radio and television. His stage plays have been seen across Canada, the US and Europe, including Einstein’s Gift, Blowfish and The Resurrection Of John Frum. His play Shakespeare’s Will will be produced at the Stratford Festival next season, starring Seana McKenna. Mr. Thiessen has been the recipient of numerous awards; The City of Edmonton Arts Achievement Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award for Excellence, The Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, and the Governor General’s Literary Award, Canada’s highest honor for playwriting. He has also been a finalist for the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre.  He is a graduate of both the University of Winnipeg and the University of Alberta, where he received his MFA in Playwriting. He has served as Playwright in Residence at Workshop West Theatre (where he founded the Playwrights Garage program), the University of Alberta, and The Blue Heron Theatre in New York City. For five seasons, he was Artistic Associate at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, responsible for play development.

Profiles Theatre’s production of Apple will be directed by Artistic Director, Joe Jahraus. Mr. Jahraus most recently staged Profiles’ acclaimed hit production of Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig. He also directed Profiles’ celebrated, award-winning production of the Midwest Premiere of Blackbird by Adam Rapp. Prior to that, he directed Profiles’ Midwest Premiere of Babylon Gardens by Timothy Mason and Profiles’ critically acclaimed productions of The Water Engine, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and the award-winning Midwest Premiere of Jules Feiffer’s Carnal Knowledge. Profiles’ Company Member Eric Burgher is the Assistant Director for Apple. Mr. Burgher has Assistant Directed numerous productions for Profiles including Blackbird, Wonder of the World, Snakebit and Jump to Cow Heaven. The production team for Apple includes: Thad Hallstein (Set Design); Ron Seeley (Light Design); William Jason Raynovich (Live Music/Cello); Eric Burgher (Sound Design); Patrick Serrano (Costume Design); Erica Daniels and Lori Erickson (Casting Directors); Bradley Mark (Stage Manager).

The cast of Apple will feature Profiles’ Associate Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox as Andy. Mr. Cox most recently appeared as Tom in Profiles’ long running hit, Fat Pig. Prior to that, he was seen as Robert in Home and Charles in The Shawl as part of the David Mamet Festival at the Goodman. He has appeared at Steppenwolf in the World Premiere of Men of Tortuga, the Midwest Premiere of Orange Flower Water (which traveled to the Galway Arts Festival), and the World Premiere of Wendall Greene. Mr. Cox has won three Joseph Jefferson Citations for Principal Actor for his performances in Profiles' productions of Blackbird, Some Voices, and Eye of God. He has also received two After Dark Awards for Outstanding Performance for his work in Popcorn and Carnal Knowledge.
 
Amy Matheny makes her Profiles Theatre debut in Apple as Lyn. Ms. Matheny is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre where she was last seen in Execution of Justice. She has also appeared in About Face Theatre’s productions of Fascination, Whitman and Seven Moves.  She is a founding member of Greasy Joan & Co. and has appeared in Therese Raquin, Iphigenia & Other Daughters and Pericles, among others. Brady Fuqua makes her Profiles’ debut with Apple in the role of Samantha.  Ms. Fuqua most recently appeared in Bailiwick Repertory’s 365 Plays/365 Days project and The Woods at Hubbard Hall. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Apple will open on Friday, April 20, 2007 and runs through Sunday, June 3, 2007. Tickets are $25.00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and $20.00 on Thursdays and Sundays. Preview performances will be held April 16, 17, 18 and 19 at 8:00 p.m., with a discounted ticket price of $15.00. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended by calling (773) 549-1815, or at www.profilestheatre.org.