The Fall of Durang
Subscribe to this News Feed
The Fall of Durang
Oracle Theatre, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, Infamous Commonwealth, and Next Theatre Company have all caught Durang fever and are pooling their efforts to spread it across Chicago. Each company is presenting a different Christopher Durang comedy this fall. Oracle Theatre presents Actor’s Nightmare and Sister Mary Ignations Explains It All for You August 11-September 17, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy presents The Vietnamization of New Jersey August 31-October 8, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre presents Betty’s Summer Vacation September 2-October 1, and Next Theatre Company presents Durang’s latest work Miss Witherspoon November 16-December 17.
CHICAGO — Oracle Theatre, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, Infamous Commonwealth, and Next Theatre Company have all caught Durang fever and are pooling their efforts to spread it across Chicago. Each company is presenting a different Christopher Durang comedy this fall. Oracle Theatre presents Actor’s Nightmare and Sister Mary Ignations Explains It All for You August 11-September 17, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy presents The Vietnamization of New Jersey August 31-October 8, Infamous Commonwealth Theatre presents Betty’s Summer Vacation September 2-October 1, and Next Theatre Company presents Durang’s latest work Miss Witherspoon November 16-December 17.
In their efforts to build the circle of Durang-lovers in Chicago, the four companies are offering a $5 discount to anyone who shows a ticket stub or program from one of the other Durang productions.
Durang, known for his caustic wit, is especially popular among the new generation of Chicago theatre companies. “I actually think Durang is one of those playwrights that people either love or hate,” said Genevieve Thompson, Artistic Director of Infamous Commonwealth Theatre. “Those of us who love him feel like a part of the inner circle.”
Christopher Durang first studied theater at Harvard before moving on to the Yale School of Drama and working under Robert Brustein. He began his career as a parodist, before finding his trademark blend of satire and black comedy. Influenced by Eugene Ionesco and Tom Stoppard, among others, Durang uses wit and absurdity to take on issues of religion and family.
“Durang often shines a floodlight on the elephant in the room, tackling sensitive issues with reckless abandon. [He] has an undisputable ability to invoke strong emotions from his audiences, making him a choice pick for theatres companies looking to do just that,” said Oracle’s Artistic Director Aaron Shapiro, director of Actor’s Nightmare and Sister Mary.
The Actor’s Nightmare and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You will be presented at Oracle Theatre, 3809 N. Broadway, August 11-September 17. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets are a $20 donation. Box Office is 773-244-2980.
The Vietnamization of New Jersey will be presented by Chemically Imbalanced Comedy at The Cornservatory Theater, 4210 N Lincoln, August 31-October 8. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays- Fridays at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are $15. Box Office is773-865-7731.
Betty’s Summer Vacation will be presented by Infamous Commonwealth Theatre at Live Bait Theatre, 3914 N. Clark St. September 2-October 1. The performance schedule is as follows: Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $15. Box Office is 312-458-9780.
Miss Witherspoon will be presented by Next Theatre Company at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street, Evanston. November 16-December 17. The performance schedule is as follows; Thursdays 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $20-35. Box Office is 847-475-1875
Media Contact:
Katie Hawkey 773.398.6339 (Oracle Theatre)
Angela McMahon 773.865.7731 (Chemically Imbalanced Comedy)
Jennifer Mathews 773.209.3889 (Infamous Commonwealth)
John Collins 847-475-6763 (Next Theatre Company)