Chicago Dramatists Braces for Winter with Blizzard '67
Chicago Dramatists, known for developing and producing award-winning world premieres, is proud to present Blizzard '67 by 2009 Julie Harris Playwriting Award winner, Resident Playwright Jon Steinhagen. The production will preview January 5, open January 13 and run through February 12, 2012. Blizzard '67 is directed by Chicago Dramatists' Artistic Director Russ Tutterow. This world premiere coincides with the 45th anniversary of the storm that shut down the city for five days. Chicago Dramatists is located just minutes from the Loop at 1105 W. Chicago Avenue, at the 24-hour Chicago Avenue stop of the Blue Line subway, and is just off the Ogden and Augusta exits of the Kennedy Expressway.
"I've been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see one of my works staged at Chicago Dramatists ever since I saw my first Chicago Dramatists production many years ago," said Jon Steinhagen, author of Blizzard '67 "and now, here it is, a Chicago story directed by Russ Tutterow, one of the finest Chicago directors, performed by a quartet of fierce Chicago actors, and my dreams are being exceeded. I can't wait for everyone to share this amazing experience with us."
"At Chicago Dramatists, we have an affinity for stories about real people in Chicago", said Managing Director Brian Loevner. "This play, like our last show, The Kid Thing, is about four people with hard decisions to make. The blizzard of 1967 was a major disaster in Chicago and this play really nails it."
Jon Stienhagen's Blizzard '67 takes us to the fast-paced, high-pressured, glamorous Loop of the late 1960s when ambitious, arrogant businessmen fought ruthlessly for power and respect. Lanfield, Henkin, Emery, and Bell spend their work days competing mercilessly with each other but when they find themselves trapped in the most fearsome blizzard Chicago has ever known, it is their survival, rather than promotion, on the line. If they don't work together and overcome their corporate rivalries, they'll be left out in the cold. For the 45th anniversary of the infamous blizzard that shut down Chicago for days, an ensemble of four actors will recreate that chilling Chicago memory and the surrounding frenzy.