Commedia Beauregard Presents MASTER WORKS: The Intuit Plays

Commedia Beauregard is pleased to present MASTER WORKS: The Intuit Plays, six new short plays inspired by pieces of artwork from the permanent collection of one of Chicago’s most fascinating museums, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Curated by company member kClare Kemock*, the six plays will be performed April 2 – 11, 2015 at the museum itself, allowing the audience members to view the works of art firsthand. Guests will also have an opportunity to vote for “Audience Favorite” and “Best Translation.” Tickets for MASTER WORKS: The Intuit Play are currently on-sale at http://tinyurl.com/intuit-tix.

The MASTER WORKS: The Intuit Plays playwrights include: Kevin Alves*, Jackie Davies*, Brenda E. Kelly*, Christopher Kidder-Mostrom*, Laura Nessler and Caity-Shea Violette.

The six local director include: Derek Bertelsen, Niki Dreistadt, Charlotte Drover, Jonathan Goldthwaite, Shandee Vaughan* and Brittany Westfall.

The cast includes: Mary Jo Bolduc, Daria Harper, Ali Kidder-Mostrom*, Chris Lysy*, Ian Michael Minh, Jillann Morlan, Anastacia Narrajos, T. Isaac Sherman, Abby Stark*, Steven Stinson, Alaithia Velez and Kenzie West.

THE PLAYS:

CHAINED TO A CHAIR

By Kevin Alves*, Directed by Niki Dreistadt

Featuring Steven Stinson and Chris Lysy*

Based on the sculpture “Like Father, Like Son-Eternal Slave” by Dr. Charles Smith.

A man sits chained to a chair and has been there approximately three days. He maintains an oddly calm and casual air as he shares his thoughts on everything from cancer to cat videos. Who has chained him to the chair – and will he escape?

THE FITTING

By Laura Nessler, Directed by Shandee Vaughan*

Featuring Abby Stark*, Mary Jo Bolduc and Jillann Morlan

Based on the sculpture “Three Snakes and Bird” by Anonymous (Canadian).

Ruth, mother of the groom, is being fitted in an ill-fitting gown at David’s Bridal and also being hassled by creditors. She is joined by two bridesmaids, who complain about the financial irresponsibility of their generation and drinking margaritas in a pouch. She hopes they can teach her to alter a dress, they hope she can share her secret to being so thin.

SHADOW BOY

By Caity-Shea Violette, Directed by Jonathan Goldthwaite
Featuring Alaithia Velez, Ian Michael Minh, T. Isaac Sherman and Steven Stinson

Based on the piece “Untitled (Several figures/shades of grey)“ by Barry Simmons.

A boy is haunted by a shadow. Summoning two mystical men to aid in his quest, the boy goes to great lengths to escape being possessed by the spirit of his murderous father, The Shadow King. A world somewhere between a daydream and a metaphor.

THE LAST DANCE

By Brenda E. Kelly*, Directed by Derek Bertelsen

Featuring Daria Harper and Ian Michael Minh

Based on the piece “Untitled (Six Women with Bartender)“ by Thomas King Baker.

Two Chicagoans – from opposite sides of town – meet in an abandoned bar. Marshall had been stood up by a date and Hazel is there to reminisce on days (and years) gone by. As the record player spins and the conversation flows, two strangers become friends.

MAIN STREET

By Jackie Davies*, Directed by Charlotte Drover

Featuring Kenzie West, Anastacia Narrajos and Jillann Morlan

Based on the painting “Untitled (Street Corner)“ by Nicholas Greeley (aka Chicago Barber).

Three women (or, perhaps, elements of the same woman) wait for their/her brother and discuss how to be rejoined. Each has a unique rhythm, but all move together. Which one is the first/real woman and what was she doing before she split into three?

RIDE OF THE AGITATOR

By Christopher Kidder-Mostrom*, Directed by Brittany Westfall

Featuring Chris Lysy*, Ali Kidder-Mostrom* and Kenzie West

Based on the painting “Statue of Liberty” by Max Romain.

It’s the first day on the job for an artist at an amusement park designed entirely by performance artists. The operators of the amusement park rides get to know each other – although a couple of them have already gotten to know each other very well. Dating coworkers can be awkward and confusing, but not nearly as confusing as the poetry that is part of the ride.

The production team for MASTER WORKS: The Intuit Plays includes Zoe Mikel-Stites (lighting designer).

*Denotes Commedia Beauregard company members.

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: MASTER WORKS: The Intuit Plays

Location: Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago

Dates: Thursday, April 2 – Sunday, April 11, 2015

Curtain Times: Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm

Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 Intuit members. Tickets are currently on-sale at http://tinyurl.com/intuit-tix.

About Commedia Beauregard

Commedia Beauregard’s mission is to translate the universal human experience to the stage: to expand our horizons and share knowledge of all cultures, translating between languages and between arts to create theater that is beautiful in expression. In furtherance of our mission, we endeavor to do the following:

▪ Produce live theatre productions for the cultural education, entertainment, and inspiration of our audiences.

▪ Produce plays that have been translated from a foreign language into English to expose audiences and participants to art of other cultures.

▪ Explore alternative meanings and methods of translation through workshops and productions.

▪ Encourage the development of newly translated works of art.

For additional information, visit www.cbtheatre.org.

About Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art

Established in 1991, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art (Intuit) is the only nonprofit organization in the United States that is dedicated solely to presenting self-taught and outsider art — with world class exhibitions; resources for scholars and students; a permanent collection with holdings of more than 1,100 works of art; the Henry Darger Room Collection; the Robert A. Roth Study center, a non-circulating collection with a primary focus in the fields of outsider and contemporary self-taught art; and educational programming for people of all interest levels and backgrounds. www.art.org.