Jim Jones

American Theater Company (ATC) kicks off its Season 24 with The People's Temple about Jonestown and the followers of Jim Jones' People Temple movement. The production, directed by co-creator of The Laramie Project Leigh Fondakowski, will run September 4 - September 28, 2008 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago.

The play centers around Jonestown, Guyana in 1978 where an interracial religious group, lead by their charismatic leader Jim Jones, move to the remote jungles of South America to build a utopian community.  From the creators of The Laramie Project comes this premiere production combining actual interviews with survivors and family members and live gospel music to tell the untold stories of a community that dreamed of a better life, and its shocking demise.

The People's Temple was commissioned in 2001 following the critical success of The Laramie Project, also written in collaboration with Greg Pierotti, Stephen Wangh and Margot Hall. The People's Temple was researched and written over the course of six years and includes first-hand interviews with former Temple members, family members and survivors of the November 18, 1978 Massacre - many of whom have remained silent for over twenty years.  One of the largest Ensemble projects in American Theater Company history, American Theater Company's staging, helmed by head writer Leigh Fondakowski, marks the Chicago Premiere, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Jonestown Massacre. The newly revised production will include never-before-seen material from personal interviews as well as archival audio and video footage from the final days of Jonestown. Survivors from across the country will attend a special preview performance on Saturday, September 6, 2008.

"The People's Temple is one of the most provocative and fascinating pieces of theatre I have ever been involved with. That six years of interviews and research has gone into the project is simply astounding," says Artistic Director PJ Paparelli.  "When I arrived over six months ago I knew immediately that ATC needed to bring this groundbreaking piece to Chicago.  We are so proud to bring life to the people and stories that had been lost to America until Leigh and her brave collaborators so painstakingly assembled them together in this incredible theatrical journey.  The People's Temple debunks the myths of Jonestown and tells the truth, straight from the people who lived it." 

The People's Temple premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2005 to incredible critical acclaim, and then moved to Perseverance Theatre and on to The Guthrie, where it played in 2006.  ATC's production is the final revision of the script.

Tickets to The People's Temple are $35-$40 and can be purchased at the ATC box office located at 1909 W. Bryon St, by phone at 773-409-4125 or online at www.atcweb.org.