Premiere Theatre & Performance



PAST PRODUCTIONS
	THE NIGHT SEASON By Rebecca Lenkiewicz Directed by Elizabeth Carlin-Metz On a Sligo rooftop, three beautiful, heartsick sisters yearn for love. While below, a faithful swain recites poetry in the rain beneath their window and their broken Da—the man who would be Lear—exorcises his demons with visions of a voluptuous barmaid. In the kitchen, their dotty Granny curses death as she dances in the firelight. When a handsome young film star from the States arrives to play the poet Yeats, the world beneath their Irish moon turns upside-down in this funny and ferocious praisesong to the enduring search for love. This haunting play was the third collaboration between PTAP and Vitalist Theatre.
	YONI KI BAAT Directed by Lavina Jadhwani This bold and honest production marked PTAP's first artistic collaboration with Rasaka Theatre Company. Inspired by The Vagina Monologues, YONI KI BAAT is an exploration of what it means to be a woman in South Asian culture. By combining spoken word, music and dance, Rasaka presented an exploration of the ultimate forbidden zone, with a uniquely desi twist. Performances took place at Jan. 2-Feb. 1, 2009 at Strawdog Theatre.
	ANUNG'S FIRST AMERICAN CHRISTMAS Based on the book by Carl Nordgren Adapted for the stage by Robin Metz Directed by Elizabeth Carlin-Metz Based on the work of novelist Carl Nordgren, this world premiere dramatized a magical legend of the Anishinaabe People, as Waabanong Anung embarks upon his Vision Quest and hero's journey in search of the Greatest Chief. Through the guidance of Turtle, Bear, and Grandfather, Anung learns to persevere in this multicultural tale of personal and spiritual growth. Drawing upon Vitalist's fusion of resonant narrative and compelling physical theatre, the story combined live action with puppetry to create a unique holiday vision of human courage, generosity, celebration and sacredness. This production marked Premiere's second collaboration with Vitalist Theatre.
	THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT Based on the works of Jeff Brumbeau and Gail DeMarken Adapted & Directed by Patrizia Acerra & Dawn Arnold The generous quiltmaker transforms the heart of a greedy king in this visually powerful, simple tale of generosity. An original adaptation of the award winning children's book by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail De Marcken in collaboration with Moving Dock Theatre Company. After a celebrated introduction to Chicago audiences in 2007, this heartwarming family gem enjoyed a holiday remount in December of 2008.
	SEVEN DOORS/ SIEBEN TUREN By Botho Strauss Translated by Peter K. Jansen Directed by Patrizia Lombardi Acerra A jilted husband, a wedding without guests, and two monks with an intimate knowledge of hell. Is this a great world or what? An American premiere of Botho Strauss’ incendiary take on modern life and the beyond, this searing social satire ran from Oct. 5- Nov. 2, 2008 at Prop Theatre.
	A Passage To India Novel by E.M. Forster Adapted by Martin Sherman Directed by Elizabeth Carlin-Metz In the spring of 2008, Premiere partnered with Vitalist Theatre Company to present the American Midwest Premiere of E. M. Forster’s saga of imperialism, passion, and prejudice.
	Gray City By Keith Huff Directed by Anna C. Bahow The University of Chicago...birthplace of The Bomb...seeding ground for Reaganomics...Gray City. The walls are gray, the sky is gray, even the faces of the students are gray. And in every ivy shadowed nook and cranny of the Gray City quads, lording over the pervasive, washed-out absence of clear-cut black and white, are the infamous concrete gargoyles. They're everywhere. And they're laughing. What's so funny? While attending The U of C, two undergrads fall hopelessly in love...but does love stand a chance when living The Life of the Mind?
	Picture This / Immaginalo by Landon Coleman Directed by Patrizia Acerra Originally directed by Patrizia Acerra at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre (Jeff nomination, new work), it was later translated into Italian by Artistic Associate Iris Manca and produced in Rome Italy in a co-production with The English Theatre of Rome. Performances ran in repertory in Engish and Italian. The Italian translation, IMMAGINALO, was later published in Rome.
	Einstein's Dreams Clock Productions Directed by Patrizia Acerra and Dawn Arnold Based on the best selling book by Alan Lightman A wildly successful adaptation of Alan Lightman's meditation on time and memory, produced by International Theatre of Chicago (then The Artemis Project) and Clock Productions. Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times calls Einstein's Dreams, "a grand achievement—the latest little storefront theatre delight...." PTAP was honored to be recognized by Mr. Lightman for the success of our project.
	Ocean Sea National Pastime Theatre Directed by Patrizia Acerra and Dawn Arnold An original adaptation of the extraordinary work Oceano Mare by celebrated Italian writer Alessandro Baricco. To date, this is the only adaptation for the stage. Produced at National Pastime Theatre in co-production with Moving Dock and Clock Productions. Directed and adapted by Patrizia Acerra and Dawn Arnold. Following the production, Acerra traveled to Rome, where she presented Mr. Baricco with materials from the production as part of a media event celebrating his work. Sun-Times critic Hedy Weiss recognized Ocean Sea as one of the best of 2002.
	Right! Historic Berger Mansion Directed by Patrizia Acerra In 2000, Artistic Director Patrizia Acerra commissioned a new translation of Pirandello's rarely produced classic farce Cosi e? (se vi pare!) while residing in Rome. Working from the original Sicilian text, this new translation was workshopped here in Chicago and produced for Chicago audiences at the Historic Berger Mansion, the perfect setting for a drawing room comedy. This translation is currently in development for publication.
	Iphegenia in Kingman National Pastime Theatre Directed by Patrizia Acerra A world premiere! On the edge of the universe, somewhere between Arizona and the afterlife, a waitress pours a cup of coffee and serves up the meatloaf special. She waits for the man who will change her life, or the opportunity to create a new life away from her tragic past.