Raven Theatre Announces 40th Anniversary Season
Raven Theatre has announce its 40th Anniversary Season, kicking off this fall with a fresh take on Noel Coward's iconic 1930 comedy Private Lives, directed by Ian Frank. The 2022-23 season continues next winter with the Chicago premiere of Right To Be Forgotten, Sharyn Rothstein's smart and timely story about human forgiveness in the age of the internet, directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle.
Raven's 40th Anniversary Season concludes next spring with the Chicago premiere of The October Storm by Joshua Allen, a follow up to Allen's smash-hit The Last Pair of Earlies. Olivia Canaday and Wardell Julius Clark co-direct this riveting and edgy new drama set in the 1960s on the South Side of Chicago.
Raven Artistic Director Cody Estle comments, "As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary Season, the 2022-23 season lineup is one of our most inspired. The season mixes an iconic revival with epic storytelling from two of today's most accomplished playwrights. Theatre is more alive than ever, and we are excited to bring these unique worlds to life. Audiences have embraced the return to in-person performances, and we are so thankful for our patrons and subscribers who continue to support Raven Theatre."
Raven Theatre's 2022-23 Season:
September 29 - November 13, 2022
Private Lives
By Noel Coward
Directed by Ian Frank
In this sophisticated and wildly entertaining revival, once-married Elyot and Amanda cross paths on their unexpectedly adjoined honeymoons - same hotel, same resentments, but with new spouses. Sharp words evolve into fresh sparks, followed by an endless roundabout of chaos and romance where enemies become lovers and lovers become fools. This timeless, witty and risque play follows the ups, downs and all-arounds of passion and betrayal. Are they in it for love... or just for the thrill of it all?
February 9 - March 26, 2023
Right To Be Forgotten - Chicago Premiere!
By Sharyn Rothstein
Directed by Artistic Director Cody Estle
The internet never forgets, and Derril Lark's mistake at 17 haunts him online a decade later. Desperate for a normal life, he goes to extraordinary lengths to erase his indiscretion. But freedom of information is a big business, and the tech companies aren't going down without a fight. Secrets, lies and political backstabbing abound in this riveting new drama about one man's fierce battle to reclaim his privacy by Primus Prize winning playwright Sharyn Rothstein (By the Water, Northlight Theatre).
Nay 11 - June 25, 2023
The October Storm - Chicago Premiere!
By Joshua Allen
Directed by Olivia Canaday & Wardell Julius Clark
It's the fall of 1960 on Chicago's South Side. Rain pounds the city, but the real storm rages in the basement apartment where landlady Mrs. Elkins lives with her teenage granddaughter Gloria. Mrs. Elkins is a widow, and Gloria is essentially an orphan. For better or worse, all they have is each other. But when Louis, a troubled war vet, walks into their already fraught lives looking for shelter, both literal and figurative, the emotional whirlwind he sets off will change all their lives forever.