Theatre News Wire

Remy Bumppo Theatre Company presents its annual Season Salon, the official kick off to its 2011/2012 season, on Monday, August 29 from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the Greenhouse Theater Center at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. The evening features a lively and sometimes irreverent panel discussion and audience question and answer session on the season theme The American Evolution followed by refreshments and conversation in the lobby. This year's salon is moderated by Chicago Public Radio's Dueling Critics Jonathan Abarbanel and Kelly Kleiman. Panelists include Daniel Desormeaux, associate professor of French Literature at the University of Chicago, Peter Taub, director of performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Timothy Douglas, artistic director of Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, and one other panelist to be announced. Remy Bumppo's Season Salon is open to the public, and reservations are recommended.

Remy Bumppo's Season Salon, now in its eighth year, serves as a preview of the upcoming season and introduces the season theme. The 2011/2012 season features three plays selected by the company's new artistic director, Timothy Douglas, exploring transformational experiences in America's history. The productions, which will be directed by Douglas, include Eugene O'Neill's epic drama Mourning Becomes Electra in a shortened adaptation by Gordon Edelstein, Sept. 21 - Oct. 30, 2011; Marivaux's pre-French Revolution love story Changes of Heart, in a translation by Stephen Wadsworth, Nov. 23, 2011 - Jan. 8, 2012; and Lee Blessing's one-person comedy Chesapeake featuring Remy Bumppo Artistic Associate Greg Matthew Anderson, March 28 - May 6, 2012.

Artistic Director Douglas explains the connection between the plays: "The American Evolution theme encompasses the Civil War, the Civil Rights movement and acts of Civil Disobedience in the U.S." Douglas, who guides Remy Bumppo through its own transition of artistic leadership, states, "These plays remind us that the only constant is change. Remy Bumppo's Artistic Associates and I have crafted an inaugural season that reflects on America's progression and widening of perspective, as a way of celebrating Remy Bumppo's 15th season, and my first, as Remy Bumppo's artistic director."

All shows will be presented at the Greenhouse Theater Center at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Subscriptions range from $70 for previews to $165 for opening nights and are on sale now at www.remybumppo.org or by calling the Greenhouse Theater box office at 773-404-7336. Single tickets are also on on sale.

A pre-Salon dinner is offered at Simply It: Cuisine of Vietnam, 2269 N. Lincoln Ave. Chef Tuan offers Remy Bumppo patrons a simply delicious pre-fixe dinner for just $20 per person (tax and tip not included). BYOB and Simply It will waive the corkage fee for Salon guests. Reservations are required and limited to the first 60 patrons. Dinner reservations can be made with Simply It at (773) 248-0884 or with Remy Bumppo Theatre Company at (773) 244-8119.