Theatre News Wire

Profiles Theatre announces the Midwest premiere of Sweet and Sad by Richard Nelson, opening 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.

With Sweet and Sad, Tony Award-winning playwright Richard Nelson continues his series of plays exploring the immediate present and the ever-changing state of the nation. Over Sunday brunch on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, 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 Theatre's 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 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. The production also features guest artists Kristin Ford, Harmony France and Kate Harris.

"I'm so pleased Profiles is doing Sweet and Sad, especially in the midst of this election year," says playwright Richard Nelson. "As I wrote in a postscript to the play, in times like our own, when human voices seem more disembodied than ever, where words seem pulled from their meanings and turned into rants and weapons, the theater can, I believe, be a necessary home for human talk; that is, a place where humans beings talk about their worries, confusions, fears and loves. And where they also listen."

The designers are Shaun Renfro (set), Mike Durst (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound and original music), and Erica Griese (costumes). Jordan Muller is the stage manager and Sarah Nutt serves as assistant director.

Sweet and Sad is the first production of Profiles Theatre's 24th season. The Midwest premiere of After by Chad Beckim opens at Profiles Theatre's Alley Stage on September 5, 2012. The season also includes the 20th Anniversary production of Hellcab by Will Kern, and the Midwest premieres of The Dream of the Burning Boy by David West Read and The Break of Noon by Neil LaBute.

Tickets for Sweet and Sad 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.

Profiles will hold a special added performance on Tuesday, September 11 at 8 pm. The event will feature pre-show appetizers and cocktails at 6:30 pm and a post-show discussion with the cast and director. Admission for the added performance is $35.