Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago's #1 presenter of new plays for more than 30 years, will introduce Chicago to a beautifully written play about a survivor of the 1994 Rwanda massacres with the local premiere of "I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given To Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda," by Sonja Linden, Jan. 20-March 5.
Starring in Victory Gardens' Chicago premiere is Yetide Badaki opposite veteran Chicago actor Lance Baker, in his Victory Gardens debut. Andrea J. Dymond directs. Victory Gardens Theater is located at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Call (773) 871-3000 for tickets and information, or purchase tickets online at Ticketweb.com.
Winner of the Time Out London Critic Choice Award, "...Young Lady From Rwanda"charts the relationship between Juliette, a young survivor of the 1994 anti-Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, and Simon, a middle-aged writer in modern-day London who seeks to help her write her story. As Juliette attempts to deal with intense flashbacks, Simon gives her direction, and the two embark on a touching journey where each helps the other by connecting through the written word. As their relationship unfolds, often comically, Linden poses important questions about life and art, notably, can two people from such different backgrounds ever truly understand each other? In the end, Juliette learns how self-expression can be a healing therapy to a victim of unspeakable tragedy. Meanwhile Simon discovers that by helping a young writer learn to express herself, his own creative spark might be rekindled.
Designers for the show are Mary Griswold (set), Jaymi Lee Smith (lights), and Victoria Deloria (sound). Rita Vreeland Head is production stage manager.
Discounted parking is available with your VGT ticket stub one block north at Children's Memorial Hospital for all shows except weekday matinees, and Lincoln Park Hospital one block south on Webster, at all times (no overnights).
An Open Rehearsal takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. Open rehearsals offer a rare look at how new plays are brought to life at Victory Gardens. Watch cast members rehearse on an unfinished set, then participate in a talkback with the director and cast.
Humanities Nights are planned for 6:30 p.m. two Thursdays, Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. Get more out of your theater experience with a special pre-show presentation tied to the themes of this production. Enjoy tasty, budget-priced boxed dinners from Bourgeois Pig! Cafe before the show.
In 2004, Victory Gardens purchased the historic Biograph Theater, located two blocks north at 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue. Following renovation of the nationally landmarked movie house, Victory Gardens will re-open the Biograph in Fall 2006 as a new, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the enjoyment of live theater. While 2005/06 is the "farewell season" for Victory Gardens' long-time home at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., the theater will retain its current location, creating a two-facility creative campus. |
