one playwright. one blog.

The Opera, Drama and Comedy of Democracy

nat — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:57:19 +0000

We’re getting ready for a fantastic event this coming Sunday – we’re offering audiences a fun way to explore our current production Democracy through the spectacular Opera version … This is a free event, and it’ll be a lot of fun – don’t miss it!

Scott Wheeler (Composer of Democracy: An American Comedy) will join actors from Eclipse Theatre Company and singers from VOX 3 Collective to explore the stage and opera versions of Romulus Linney’s story. This unique event will include performed scenes from Eclipse’s production of Democracy and selections from Mr. Wheeler’s opera, followed by a discussion with the artists.

Eclipse Theatre Company's "Democracy"

Democracy: Opera and Drama

Sunday, November 22nd at 7:00 pm
Greenhouse Theater Center
2257 N Lincoln

A suggested donation is encouraged for non-subscribers. Please contact us at 773-325-9655 for more information or to reserve your seats for these exciting events!

Watch a scene from Democracy

nat — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:48:56 +0000

From our current production of Democracy, which opened last night, Baron Jacobi (Larry Baldacci) has an old-fashioned plan to stop Madeleine Lee (Rebecca Prescott) from marrying the ambitious Senator Silas Raitcliffe in the scene below from The Stage Channel:

more about “Watch a scene from Democracy“, posted with vodpod

Dramaturgical research for Democracy

nat — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:58:40 +0000

In the opening scene of Democracy, Baron Jacobi introduces us to the characters in the play. As President Grant and his wife Julia walk by, Jacobi notes her crossed eyes and explains:

When they came to the White House, she wanted an operation. The President said no! He could not bear his great burden without the cross-eyed girl he had loved all these years.

I was thinking about this line as I was setting up the links on the Democracy Dramaturgy page – included in the research prepared by Sarah Moeller and Katie Vandehey, co-dramaturgs on the production, is a comprehensive biography of Julia Boggs Dent Grant, including this photo of the cross-eyed girl that Ulysses loved.

We spent the first two days of rehearsal going through this information, giving all of the actors, designers and the director the background information they needed before creating the world of this play. It’s here on the blog for them – and for you – to browse. Enjoy!

First photo from Democracy

nat — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:15:11 +0000

I’ll be back for the regular Friday rescue later in the day – first I wanted to share this beautiful photo of Senator Raitcliffe (Jon Steinhagen) courting Madeline Lee (Rebecca Prescott) in Romulus Linney’s Democracy:

Friday photo rescue

nat — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:24:08 +0000

Another Part of the Forest, from the 2000 Lillian Hellman season.

Friday photo rescue

nat — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:26:29 +0000

Frame 312, from the 2004 Keith Reddin season.

Getting ready for a Lunar Eclipse

nat — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 17:46:04 +0000

I wish I had taken a few “before” photos – it’s difficult to describe the chaos here at the Eclipse space three weeks ago, when every square foot was stacked to the ceiling with three shows worth of theatrical debris. We’ve been steadily chipping away, and we’re almost ready for a party…

I took a break from setting up last night to take some “during” photos – there’s still more decorating and cleaning to be done before Saturday, but our rehearsal space is almost fully transformed into a hip, funky party pad. There are more photos of the space on our Flickr page – and there will be more (with a lot of people having fun) after Saturday.

Come on out and see what we’ve done to the place, help us celebrate the current season and look ahead to the 2010 Arthur Miller Season …

For more info about Lunar Eclipse II, check us out on Facebook or send us an email.

Friday photo rescue

nat — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:03:59 +0000

A Woman Without a Name, from the 2001 Romulus Linney season:

Join the fun at our second Lunar Eclipse party!

nat — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:07:34 +0000

Artistic Director Nathaniel Swift in Plaza Suite. Photo by Scott Cooper.

Come celebrate & network with all of us at Eclipse as well as our colleagues and friends from the theatre community, as the Chicago theatre fall season begins and Eclipse’s 2-year Celebration Series concludes.

The night kicks off at 7:00 pm at our swanky digs with beer, wine & food, live DJ & dancing, a little Wii Bowling, and your chance to mingle with some of the coolest people in Chicago theatre!

If you are in a show that evening, please come by afterwards!

Actors, Designers, Directors – feel free to bring your pic/resume!

$15 suggested donation or whatever you can donate at the door.

At the Eclipse Space: 4001 N Ravenswood, Chicago, IL 60613

For more info, call us at 773.325.9655 or send us an email.

Friday photo rescue

nat — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:32:06 +0000

The Lark, from the 2000 Lillian Hellman Season: