This Fall in The Library Theater
Exit the King by Eugene Ionesco
Directed by Ina Marlowe**
Starring William J. Norris *
Featuring:
Craig Bryant
Christy Koesters
Julie Massey
Sheila Regan
Hugh Schwartzberg
There are so many great dramatic works that interest us at The Library Theater, primarily for their often unique or unusual use of language. Fortunately, being in Chicago, it's not difficult to find a performance of a play by Tennessee Williams, George Bernard Shaw, Tom Stoppard, August Wilson, Lillian Hellman, William Shakespeare, or so many of the plays we have come to understand as "classics". Often, however, the lesser-known works of so many popular playwrights aren't produced, most likely because they have limited commercial value.
The Library Theater is our commitment to bring to life those infrequently produced plays by great authors. Because Feltre, of which The Library Theater is a part, is about language, we focus our energies mostly on the text and the actors, with very minimal yet highly thoughtful and effective sets, costumes, sound, and lights-spectacle.
This fall in The Library Theater will feature a "lesser-known" work by one of the 20th century theater's greatest artists. Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco, revolves around King Berenger's imminent, unwelcome demise. His current queen and former queen, his doctor and nurse, drive the King to confront what his existence has meant — a theme common to much of great literature. The various characters act as the forces we feel in our own lives as we build and destroy our own "kingdoms".
Exit the King is pure Theater of the Absurd and also great classic drama. As a quintessential work by one of the fathers of the Theater of the Absurd, it subverts logic, questions the validity of language, and asks "what is real, and what isn't?", and asks of the King, "what have you done with your life?" It will surely leave the audience asking more questions after, than before. As classic drama, it follows a plot with ever increasing tension, while setting man in basic conflict to himself and to his world. There is a story here, and one that will have you thinking for some time to come. After each performance we offer the opportunity to discuss the play's ideas with the actors, designers, and director.
Our artistic team, led by director Ina Marlowe, is comprised of the finest professional actors and designers, who will bring to life the power at the heart of this wonderful play — in our Library Theater. Come and see how we move from page to stage.
Tickets are now on sale at 312-255-1133.
October 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m., and October 22 at 2:30 (benefit brunch matinee option, brunch served at 1:00 p.m.), and 7:30.
General Admission $35 per person. Benefit brunch with theater ticket $75 per person.
Note: Our spring '06 production was completely sold out in advance, so call soon for tickets.
Stage Managed by Katie Klemme*, Set Design by Cory Rodeheaver, Costume Design by Spencer Beard, Lighting Design by David Warfel, Sound Design by PJ Schoeny,
* Member of Actors Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
** Member of SSDC the Union of Professional Stage Directors and Choreographers.
** SSDC
Coming to The Library Theater in spring '07 The Wood Demon by Anton Chekhov
Lawrence Lenza, Producer
The Library Theater at Feltre, 22 W. Erie Street, Chicago
email: info@feltre.org
phone: 312-255-1133
web: http://www.feltre.org