After four seasons of producing innovative, ensemble-based theatre, The Filament Theatre Ensemble announces its 2010/2011 season. The season kicks of with ensemble member Jack Novak's updated adaptation of Filament's successful touring show, Alice & Me! which will travel to local Chicago schools and libraries in collaboration with Urban Gateways Center for Creative Arts . Filament opens its mainstage season on October 22 with the world premier of Choose Thine Own Adventure adapted from William Shakespeare by ensemble member Allison Powell. In the spring, Filament takes a look at two sides of a classic Greek myth with Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice , directed by artistic director Julie Ritchey and associate artistic director Omen Sade's world premiere of Orpheus, a modern imagining of the classic myth as you have certainly never seen it before.
"It's been a big year for the Filament Theatre Ensemble! We've welcomed four new executive staff members and four new ensemble members, refocused our company's infrastructure and philosophies, and built a brand new website. Over the last few months, we've been laying the groundwork for what is sure to be a very exciting season," said artistic director Julie Ritchey.
2010/2011 SEASON
ALICE & ME!
by Jack Novak
Directed by Christian Libonati
Touring Production
This vibrant re-imagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland puts our young audiences right along side Alice as she meets the Chesire Cat, the White Knight, the Red Queen, and other Wonderland
favorites. This exciting, interactive performance has toured all over the Chicaogland area and promises to be engaging and fun for Pre-K thru 5 th grade.
Choose Thine Own Adventure
by Allison Powell and William Shakespeare
Directed by Julie Ritchey
October 22nd - December 11th , 2010 (Fridays & Saturdays)
This ain't your highschool English class. Ensemble member Allison Powell takes excerpts of everything from Othello to Taming of the Shrew to create an all new choose-it-thyself Shakespearean adventure. It's just the way the groundlings would have wanted it. To be or not to be? You decide!
Eurydice
by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Julie Ritchey
April 21st - May 29th, 2011 (Thursdays – Sundays)
In her 2005 play Eurydice , Sarah Ruhl explores the classic Greek myth from its heroine's perspective. After dying on her wedding day, Eurydice finds herself in the underworld, her memory washed away in the River of Forgetfulness. She reunites with her father, matches wits with three petulant Stones, and struggles against the Lord of the Underworld, while her husband Orpheus tries desperately to connect with her from the land of the living. Ruhl's beloved play is a fresh and lyrical look at a timeless love story.
Orpheus
Written and Directed by Omen Sade
April 22nd - May 28th, 2011 (Fridays & Saturdays Late Night)
The Underworld is a night club. Fate is a DJ. The lovers, Orpheus and Eurydice, are chased through the worlds of light and darkness by three grotesque bouffons whose only joy is torment, destruction, and the occasional light-hearted musical number. Can Orpheus save Eurydice from the underworld? Can Eurydice save Orpheus from himself? Will love triumph over death? Come get your groove on and find out.
For more information about Filament Theatre Ensemble, or to find out how to get involved, go to www.filamenttheatre.org.