Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater

Want to forge a fresh new relationship full of drama in 2008? Then head over to the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater and meet Chicago's hottest Off-Loop theater companies, Wednesday, February 13 from 6 pm to 8 pm, at a free Open House.

In a nod to Valentine's Day, this year's Greenhouse Open House will boast a fast, fun "Speed Theater" format, to give guests the chance to get better acquainted with each of the Greenhouse's most eligible 2007/08 resident companies - Eclipse, MPAACT, Shattered Globe, Victory Gardens, and the Victory Gardens Training Center.

After spending 15 minutes of quality time with each ensemble, guests will fill out a card indicating whether or not they'd like to get to know the company better, then quickly move on for a brief introduction with their next prospective company. Each will do their best to impress by offering special deals and performing sneak-peek excerpts from their upcoming plays. Presentations will rotate every 15 minutes on both floors and in all four Greenhouse performance spaces, including:

  • Eclipse Theatre Company will preview their spring production of Tennessee Williams' Candles to the Sun in the Victory Gardens Greenhouse Downstairs Mainstage

  • MPAACT, now in its 17th season, will showcase scenes from its critically acclaimed Beneath a Dark Sky, which centers on a young woman's journey as she enjoys a warm enduring relationship with her ostracized grandfather, while struggling to come of age with her transient father. Runs thru March 1.

  • Shattered Globe Theatre will perform a scene from their current production of Rod Serling's Requiem for a Heavyweight in the Upstairs Studio

  • Victory Gardens Theater will present an excerpt from their upcoming production of Joel Drake Johnson's dark family dramedy Four Places, playing March 28-May 4 two blocks north at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.

  • The Victory Gardens Training Center will pair people up to play the same theater games and exercises they might experience as a beginning acting or writing student at Victory Gardens.

    In between sampling the diversity of companies and plays that can be seen at the Greenhouse on any given night, guests will enjoy free food and refreshments from neighboring Lincoln Avenue bars and restaurants, including Simply It, Four Farthings, Kelsey's, and Finn's Stone Wall Grill.  Liquor sponsors include Diageo, who will send representatives to pour free Godiva Truffletinis, a delicious concoction of Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, and Ciroc Vanilla Vodka.  Everyone will be invited to enter-to-win free tickets, subscriptions, T-shirts, classes and more. What's more, everybody will go home with a goodie bag full of fun promotional items, Victory Gardens Greenhouse mints, and more.

    • "So come play the field, and get to know the Victory Gardens Greenhouse's diverse mix of nationally acclaimed, award-winning ensembles," said Tamberla Perry, Marketing and Group Sales Director, MPAACT.   "All four ensembles are definitely seeking committed relationships, so we'll also be offering special one-night-only deals on subscriptions, single tickets, classes and merchandise.

    The Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater is located at 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. The Greenhouse Open House is free, but reservations are recommended. To RSVP, call Sarah Moeller at 773-328-2167.