Profiles Theatre announces Midwest premiere of Sweet and Sad

Jun 18, 2012
Profiles Theatre

Profiles Theatre announces the Midwest premiere of Sweet and Sad by Richard Nelson will open the company's 2012-2013 season. Sweet and Sad, directed by Joe Jahraus and featuring Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, runs August 17, 2012 - October 7, 2012 with the press opening on Friday, August 24 at 8:00 pm. Performances are held at Profiles newest venue, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway. The previously announced production of Blood From a Stone by Tommy Nohilly has been canceled.

With Sweet and Sad, Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson continues his series of plays exploring the immediate present as well as the ever-changing state of the nation. Over Sunday brunch on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the members of the Apple Family finds themselves talking about loss, remembrance and the family struggle to maintain its moral equilibrium in a world that no longer reflects its values.

Profiles' production follows the highly acclaimed World premiere at The Public Theater in New York last season. Named one of the top ten plays of the year by The New York Times, New York Magazine and Bloomberg News, Sweet and Sad is part of Richard Nelson's planned series of four works charting the changes undergone by an extended family from the village of Rhinebeck, New York. Beginning with That Hopey Changey Thing in 2010 and the upcoming Sorry opening at The Public Theater in October 2012, the plays take place in real time and have their World premiere on the actual dates they are set.

Co-Artistic Director Joe Jahraus directs the Midwest Premiere of Sweet and Sad. Darrell W. Cox plays the role of Richard with Profiles ensemble member Eric Burgher as Tim and Steppenwolf Ensemble member Robert Breuler as Uncle Benjamin. Casting for the roles of Marion, Barbara and Jane to be announced soon.

"Richard Nelson's intelligent, naturalistic dialogue creates such a vivid familial atmosphere while raising so many important questions about who we are and how we live today," says Jahraus. "It creates a wonderful communal experience as we eavesdrop on these characters and hear them struggle with the same universal things we all struggle with. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to present this significant, touching and timely new play to Chicago audiences."

Profiles' second show of the season, the Midwest premiere of After by Chad Beckim, will now be directed by Matt Hawkins with new performance dates. After begins previews on August 28, 2012 at The Alley Stage, 4147 N. Broadway with the press opening on Saturday, September 1 at 8:00 pm.

Tickets for Sweet and Sad or After are $35 for Thursdays, $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, www.profilestheatre.org. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 and 8:00 pm, Sundays at 7:00 p.m.