Profiles Theatre continues 24th Season with Hellcab

Oct 19, 2012
Profiles Theatre

Profiles Theatre announces the 20th Anniversary production of Hellcab by Will Kern, the third show of the company's 2012-2013 season. For the first time, Hellcab, directed by Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, features a cast of 34. The production runs November 9, 2012 - December 23, 2012.  Performances will be held at Profiles newest venue, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway.

Hellcab presents a day in the life story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious collection of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago. Playwright Will Kern draws from personal experience as a former cab driver to create this alternately frightening, hilarious and poignant journey. Throughout his long shift, the eclectic collection of passengers includes a trio of drug-addicts, a smug lawyer, a born-again couple, and a randy couple on their way to a motel. Set during a bitter cold Christmas Eve, Hellcab presents a rear-view image mirroring the passing parade of humanity.

Profiles presents the 20th Anniversary production of Kern's landmark play. First produced as a late-night show by Famous Door Theatre in 1992, the play was originally scheduled for twelve performances and ended up running for over nine years, becoming one of the longest running shows in Chicago theatre history. Hellcab has been performed all over the U.S. and abroad, including Scotland, Israel, Singapore, and Ireland. The play won numerous awards, including a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival and was adapted for the screen by Mr. Kern in 1998.

Directed by Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, Hellcab will feature a cast of 34 Chicago actors. Originally performed by a cast of one driver and six ensemble members playing multiple roles as the passengers, Profiles celebrates the diversity of Chicago by filling each ensemble role with a different actor. The cast includes Konstantin Khrustov as the driver with the passenger roles performed by Dennis Bisto, Rebecca Julia Brown, Maryann Carlson, Chris Carr, Mike Cherry, Eric J. Ciak, Alex Fisher, LJ Flora, Jeff Gamlin, Carly Jo Geer, Philena Gilmer, Charles Glenn, Rob Grabowski, Desmond Gray, Aaron Holland, Khalil Lesaldo, Kaitlyn Majoy, Jack McCabe, Christopher McMorris, Katrina V. Miller, Stephanie Monday, Joseph W. Moore III, Todd Neal, Brennan Roche, Sarai Rodriguez, Andrew L. Saenz, Sheridan Singleton, Adam Soule, Aaron Spencer, Elise Spoerlein, Scott Stockwell, Rachel Weeks and Jin You.

"I've always been pleased - and kind of amazed - that my little play gets produced year after year, and that audiences still feel a connection with it, even after all this time," says playwright Will Kern. "It's great that Hellcab is getting a 20th anniversary production, especially by a theatre company as well-regarded and talented as Profiles."

The designers are Shaun Renfro (set), Mike Durst (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound and original music), and Raquel Adorno (costumes). Jordan Muller is the stage manager and Eric Burgher and Harmony France serve as assistant directors.