Profiles Theatre concludes its 22nd season with Fifty Words
Profiles Theatre concludes its 2010-2011 Season with the Midwest premiere of Fifty Words by Michael Weller, directed by Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. The production runs May 13-June 26, 2011 at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway in Chicago. Please note the new opening date: Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 8:00pm.
While their nine-year-old son Greg is away for the night on his first sleepover, Adam and Jan have an evening alone together, the first in years. Adam's attempt to seduce his wife before he leaves on business the next day begins a suspenseful nightlong roller-coaster ride of revelation, rancor, passion and humor that explores a modern-day marriage on the verge of either a breakup or deepening love and understanding.
Fifty Words received its lauded World premiere at the MCC Theater in September 2008 where it was nominated for several Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Play. Academy Award-nominee Michael Weller shot to stardom with his powerful anti-war drama, Moonchildren, in 1971. Weller's unique voice, at once moving and revelatory, garnered acclaim throughout three decades of productions at distinguished theaters such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company and New York's Circle-in-the-Square.
"The works of Michael Weller had a big impact on me as a young theatre artist," says director Joe Jahraus. "His writing explores the intricacies of relationships with such incredible attention to detail. The characters in Fifty Words are written with a past full of such passion, pain, joy and hurt. It's exactly the kind of honest, tough writing we are drawn to at Profiles, but ultimately, what compels me is its story of love and hope."
Directed by Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus (Jailbait, Kid Sister), the cast of Fifty Words features Profiles' ensemble member Darrell W. Cox (reasons to be pretty, Killer Joe) along with guest artist Katherine Keberlein (Bordello with Chicago Dramatists).
The designers are Thad Hallstein (set), Lindsey Lyddan (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound and original music), Joshua D. Allard (costumes) and the stage manager is Jordan Muller.
Fifty Words is the final production of Profiles Theatre's 22nd season, following the Chicago premiere of reasons to be pretty, the Midwest premiere of Jailbait by Deirdre O'Connor (also featured in a return engagement at Profiles' The Second Stage) and the World premiere of Kid Sister by Will Kern.