American Theater Company

American Theater Company has announced their Season 26, which includes the 40th Anniversary revival of The Original Grease with restored, revised and R-rated book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and directed by Artistic Director PJ Paparelli; Two David Mamet classics in rotating repertory: Oleanna directed by Rick Snyder and Speed-the-Plow directed by ATC Ensemble member Jaime Castañeda; and the World Premiere of The Big Meal written by Dan LeFranc and directed by Dexter Bullard. It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play directed by Jason W. Gerace, will return for its ninth holiday season.

To celebrate its 40th Anniversary, playwright Jim Jacobs returns to his hometown to restore the R-Rated book, music and lyrics for ATC's revival production of The Original Grease, last seen at Chicago's old Kingston Mines Theatre in 1971. Jacobs and Paparelli have been working over the last year revising the book, set in Chicago's Northwest Side in 1959, to include newly restored scenes, characters, and seven original songs written by the late Warren Casey.

Playwright Jim Jacobs comments, "The Grease you will see at ATC is not the 'Fun-with-Dick & Jane' version in most productions today, but the real lowdown, in-your-face version. In other words, the truth-the way things really were among all those high school outcasts back in 1959.”

"It's been a blast working with Jim on the new book," adds Paparelli. "Make no mistake, this will be new a Grease - gritty, wild, un-PC, and most of all, true to its working class roots in Chicago 's Northwest side."

Never-before-performed in rotating repertory, David Mamet's Oleanna, directed by Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Rick Snyder and Speed-the-Plow directed by ATC Ensemble Member Jaime Castaneda. The plays will be performed by Darrell W. Cox (John/Bobby Gould), Mattie Hawkinson (Carol/Karen) and Lance Baker (Charlie Fox).

Dexter Bullard directs the World Premiere of The Big Meal, written by Dan LeFranc. In an electrifying 80-minute theatrical ride, eight actors present the quintessential dinner moments from five generations of a modern American family. From their first kiss to their secret affairs, this strangely recognizable family explores life, love and loss over chicken fingers and mac ‘n' cheese at America's dinner table.

"Season 26 is meat-and-potatoes Chicago theatre: back-to-back Mamet, a working-class Grease, and an unforgettable family dinner," continues Paparelli. "We look forward to a season of landmark theatre experiences housed in our intimate warehouse in North Center."

THE 2010-2011 AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY SEASON IS:

Oleanna
Written by David Mamet
Directed by Rick Snyder
With Darrell W. Cox as John and Mattie Hawkinson as Carol

New England. 1995. A university professor's tenure dissolves when a student claims sexual harassment. Mamet pits the genders in a moral minefield in his most controversial and provocative play.

Speed-the-Plow
Written by David Mamet
Directed by ATC Ensemble Member Jaime Casteñada
With Lance Baker as Charlie Fox, Darrell W. Cox as Bobby Gould, and Mattie Hawkinson as Karen

Hollywood. 1985. Two movie producers hit meltdown when their idealistic secretary turns the tables on their plans to make the next blockbuster. Mamet cracks open the ultimate choice for any artist in America: social change or financial gain.

The Big Meal
Written by Dan LeFranc
Directed by Dexter Bullard
February-March 2011

An American Restaurant. Today. In an electrifying 80-minute theatrical ride, eight actors present the quintessential dinner moments from five generations of a modern American family. From their first kiss to their secret affairs, this strangely recognizable family explores life, love and loss over chicken fingers and mac ‘n' cheese at America's dinner table.

The Original Grease
Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Directed by PJ Paparelli
April-May 2011

Chicago.1959. Before two movies and three Broadway productions, Summer Nights happened on Foster Beach and the rule-the-school T-Birds were a group of working class outsiders living on Chicago 's Northwest Side. Including never-before-heard music, lyrics and scenes, author Jim Jacobs teams up with Artistic Director PJ Paparelli to bring to life for the first time since 1971 the original R-Rated version of the world's most famous movie musical.

It's a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play
Based on the Frank Capra film
Directed by Jason W. Gerace
November-December 2010

Bedford Falls. 1948. Back for its ninth year, ATC transforms its space into a 1940's radio studio to tell Capra's classic story of one man's affect on his community. Free milk and cookies are served after every show.

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