The Mandrake: Follow the Cast

Here at A Red Orchid Theatre we want to include you - the audience and loyal supporters - in the process of the upcoming production of Machiavelli's "The Mandrake". Our fabulous and super cool interns created a short questionnaire to ask the cast about their experience in the rehearsal process. Keep track as we post more and more of these so you all can get to know the actors in a new light.


Steve Haggard as "Callimaco" in rehearsal.


Name: Steve Haggard (AROT Ensemble Member)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Alma Matter: DePaul University
Last shows you were seen in: "Kimberly Akimbo" at AROT, "As You Like It" and "Romeo & Juliet" at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
Favorite AROT Production: "Abigal's Party" and "The New Electric Ballroom"

Character: Callimaco
Describe your character in 3 words: Amazing. Passionate. Needy.
Favorite part of the process so far: Laughing at my funny funny cast mates.
Favorite line in the show: "Oh, the anguish!"
Favorite Italian dish: Bruschetta

Has your view on Machiavelli changed since you began working on this show?
He is much funnier than I thought he was.

Why should people come see this show? It's surprising and uncomfortably funny. There will not be another production of this play done in such an intimate way in which you as an audience member can be such a part of the intrigue and scheming.


KEEP AN EYE ON OUR BLOG, FACEBOOK, AND TWITTER BECAUSE WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING A HOW YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FEW OPPORTUNITES TO WIN TICKETS TO THE SHOW!

The New York Branch

With all of the excitement of The New Electric Ballroom, the great reviews, and the exciting Jeff Recommendation, we don't want to forget about our New York ensemble in Mistakes Were Made.  Mike Shannon and Mierka Girten will be closing the New York production on February 27, so a hearty Congratulations and Job Well Done goes out to them.

Industry Night

A quick reminder that Industry Night for The New Electric Ballroom will be this Monday, February 14.  Tickets are pay what you can, but you should still call us to reserve your seats.

What a great way to tell someone special, Happy Valentine's Day.

Family

It's hard to ignore the common elements of the two shows currently running here at A Red Orchid Theatre, especially when you realize that it wasn't exactly intentional.  Both shows are about siblings and family.  The New Electric Ballroom delves into three sisters' emotional and psychological scars, while The Earl depicts three brothers giving each other actual scars. 

Both shows also question the appropriate role of the siblings within the family.  The older sisters in Ballroom obsessively relive their past in hope that the youngest will learn from their mistakes, teaching her to fear the world outside and to find safety in their home.  So what are they ultimately denying her?  The long-absent brother in The Earl returns home and is chastized for leaving.  The brothers who remained at home have been involved (at least somewhat) with the care of their mother, and have (at least somewhat) the care of the brutal game the brothers play.  Was he wrong to leave, wrong to trust his brothers as keepers of their tradition?

Both shows offer an interesting story, intriguing characters, and as many layers of meaning as you are willing to peel away. 

Both will make you feel better about your disfuntional family.

Both are showing at A Red Orchid Theatre.

Tickets for The New Electric Ballroom can be purchased here, or by calling the box office at A Red Orchid Theatre.

Tickets for The Earl can be purchased here, or by calling the box office at The Inconvenience.

Warm Up at The New Electric Ballroom

Tickets are 2-for-1 through Sunday, so that means two tickets for $30.  The Chicago Tribune called it "Fearless and intense,” the Examiner said it's ...“maddening, provocative and at times wildly comic,” and the Chicago SunTimes raves "A Red Orchid's Ballroom is simply electrifying."

This is a great deal for a show that is Jeff Recommended, so take advantage of it while you can.

The Blizzard vs. The Earl

What incredible timing.  To have one of the worst blizzards hit Chicago just when The Earl is ready to open.  While most of us decided to stay warm and cozy in our homes Tuesday night, The Inconvenience went ahead with their scheduled performance of The Earl at A Red Orchid Theatre.  Last night's performance went on as well, and everyone in the nearly-full audience was invited to the reception afterwards.  The entire cast from Red Orchid's 2006 production of The Earl was in attendance, as was Brett Neveu, the playwright, and Red Orchid ensemble members Kirstend Fitzgerald and Guy Van Swearingen.

Anyone who saw The Earl at A Red Orchid in 2005 should be ready to see some major changes this time around.  Director Duncan Riddell (also Literary Manager at A Red Orchid) offers plenty of blood in his version, as well as some hard hits and hearty laughs.  Danny Goldring returns as the title character, but the rest of the cast is brand new. Christopher Chmelik, Walter Briggs, and Ryan Bourque (all members of The Inconvenience) are the three brothers who delight in beating each other to bloody pulps while telling jokes and discussing their mother's well-being.  All the performances were great, and this is a show that no one should miss.

Congratulations to The Inconvenience on their first full theatrical production, and we're glad that A Red Orchid Theatre could be a part of it.  Tickets are available through The Inconvenience, either by calling their box office or through their website. 

Jeff Recommended!

With the press opening behind us, we are starting to see some reviews coming in for The New Electric Ballroom.  The few that have come out are good.  But the great news is that the show has been Jeff Recommended, which could mean nominations at the end of the season.

And having seen the show, I can see why it caught the attention of the Jeff Committee.  Kirsten Fitzgerald and Guy Van Swearingen, both give outstanding performances.  After the family and friends premier, there were several comparisons made between the performances they give in Ballroom and the performances they gave several years ago when they performed together in The Seahorse.  Kate Buddeke, who is returning to Red Orchid, and Laurie Larson, who is here for the first time, also offer fantastic performances.  When you see them on stage together, you know you are watching four professionals at their best.

Between Shows

Since the Iliad has closed, and with the opening of New Electric Ballroom a couple weeks away, things have been deceptively quiet here at Red Orchid.  Rehersals are ongoing for the cast of Ballroom and set construction has begun for the show, as well.  The ensemble has also been reading through scripts, looking for potential shows for next season.

Keep in mind that Ballroom has previews on January 21, 22, and 23, and tickets for those shows are only $15. 

Also coming up, The Inconvience will be back at A Red Orchid in February to perform The Earl. The dates and times are on their website.

Last Minute Gift Ideas!

Instead of those standard sweaters and scarfs, why not give your loved ones something they'll really remember?  Get them tickets for the extended the run of The Iliad!  The show dates and times are on the website, and you can purchase tickets there or call us here in the box office. 

And if you are feeling really generous, you could always give a subscription to our season, which you can get online or by calling us.

And from everyone here at A Red Orchid Theatre, Happy Holidays!

Extended Run - Dates and times for The Iliad

Here's the info for the extended run of The Iliad.  Normally, our shows are at 8pm, but the evening shows for the extended run start at 7pm, so don't forget.

Sunday December 26 at 3pm & 5pm; Wednesday December 29 at 7pm; Thursday December 30 at 7pm; Friday December 31 at 7pm *champagne/cider toast with the cast; Saturday January 1 at 7pm *champagne/cider toast with the cast; Sunday January 2 at 3pm CLOSING PERFORMANCE
*no shows on December 23, 24, 25

Call us here at the box office for your tickets, or get them online!

Best Theatre of 2010?

A Red Orchid Theatre made the Best of 2010 list at the Tribune.  While I think Abigail's Party should have been much higher on the list, it seems to be in good company.  Here's the full list.

It also appears that The Iliad will be extended through the holidays, but I don't have specifics yet. If you're in a rush for details, you can check the theatre's website, or give the box office a call.

Only Two More Weeks for The Iliad

The Iliad is nearing the end of its run, so if you haven't seen it, you need to call us for your tickets.  The show closes on Dec. 19th, which means you only have TWO weeks left to see it.  I'll go ahead and remind you that the show is Highly Recommended by both the Chicago Sun-Times (with such praise as "the concept works brilliantly") and Time Out Chicago (which praised the "remarkable skill and discipline" of the actors, who are able to recite the "passages of epic poetry with sensitive command").  Also, Sarah Fornace's fight sequences are getting a ton praise, such as this one between Hector and Achilles:

Also this reminder, because we had a message from someone who wanted to purchase tickets for A Very Merry (Unauthorized) Scientology Pageant, we are not doing that show this year.  But there are plenty of other holiday shows and events to see around town, including a radio-rendition of It's a Wonderful Life at The Biograph, which looks like a lot of fun.  Granted, it's quite different from the Scientology Pageant, and may not be a substitute, but it looks like a good show nontheless. There's also A John Waters Christmas at the Harris Theater, a couple productions of A Christmas Carol, and The Nutcracker.  There's also And if none of those fill the hole left by the Scientology Pageant, you could always ask Santa to bring it back next year.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Iliad is well into its run, and if you haven't seen it, you should.  The actors are receiving nothing but praise for their work, and the same goes for Steve Wilson's directing, Sarah Fornace’s fight sequences, as well as the entire design team.  For a round-up of the reviews, check out theatreinchicago.com, or click here.


As for the holiday weekend, there will be no show on Thursday (Thanksgiving), but there will be shows at the regular times for the rest of the weekend.  So that's Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 8 pm, and Sunday at 3pm.  So Happy Thanksgiving, and go see The Iliad.