About This Play
This new play centers on a writer, musician, and actor who confronts the Gr8 American Theater. Through ranting, laughing, singing, pleading, evoking history, making fun of, calling out, and deeply loving, our protagonist gives us a play-by-play critique of theatre – its diversity panels, fundraising galas, playbills, white leads, Shakespeare, and more. It is a fierce, joyful, relentless h8-filled love-fest that generously invites all of us to take a look at the institution to which we’re so devoted.
Performances: February 18-20, 2021 - Theater West
- Thursday, February 18 7:30p Preview
- Friday, February 19 7:30p Opening
- Saturday, February 20 3:00p Matinee
- Saturday, February 20 7:30p Closing
Run time is approximately 80 minutes. Join the live chat during the show!
Reserve your free ticket up to one hour prior to the show so you can receive the link & password.
Play Program
Thanks for checking out our program. It's inspired by Thing 3: Programs, which will make sense once you watch the show.
Diana Oh – Playwright
Omar Almakki - Ensemble
Does the scene of sun on that soft saddening screen of fiction secure you where you are?
Ariana Baginski - Assistant Sound Designer
In these “uncertain times” there are so many complications and obstacles but nevertheless, we persevere. Thank you everyone working on this show for coming together to create something amazing!
Alisa Boland - Ensemble
You know what you’re thinking of you and your thoughts on the other side and you have a great time with your friends I hope this week I can get together for you.
Rea Brown - Assistant Costumes
All I really want is to create things that are beautiful. And to have people see those things. Want to see?: rea_jamesdesigns (Instagram).
Ben Caracello - Technical Director
Has been hating writing bios but enjoying working with Uchicago students for over 15 years.
George Corrin - Ensemble
Leslie Buxbaum Danzig - Director
My latest coping mechanism: I have compassion for nighttime thoughts and gently tell them to go to sleep, and if they've got something to say in the morning, I promise I’ll listen.
Paul Deziel - Assistant Video Editor
Ruthie Dworin - Assistant Director
Julia Fennell - Assistant Stage Manager
You are my genesis.
Seraphina Halpern - Assistant Video Director and Camera Operator
I'm 19 and I ended up here after watching the documentary Shakespeare Behind Bars.
Izumi Inaba - Set/Prop/Costume Designer
What did Sushi A say to Sushi B?
Carolyn Johansen - Wardrobe Manager
Like the play itself, the production is honest and inspiring, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to create in these ~unprecedented~ times.
Steve Labedz - Video Director
In order of importance, humans care about water, food, shelter, and stories. The rest of life is superfluous.
Ling Lin - Ensemble
Melaina Leung - Assistant Dramaturg
linger / synchronicity / melancholia / kaleidoscope / remembrance / violet / exploratory / supernova / liminal / dream / excavation / moonlight / sapling / annihilate / tenderness
Nicola Lustig - Assistant Production Manager
Jason Lynch - Lighting Designer
Laura Mahaniah - Ensemble
I think I'm a bit late to the game, but I recently learned about the existence of the Djungelskog and I couldn't be happier.
Brian Maschka - Production Manager
Experience: Steppenwolf, Chicago Childrens, Dance at UIUC, Barrington Stage, BAM, Playwrights Horizon, Zipper, Daryl Roth Theatres, Florida Rep, Weston Playhouse, and Mint. Education: Saint Mary’s University and CalArts.
Aileen Wen McGroddy - Dramaturg
Caring is good dramaturgy. Care better, care faster, care stronger, care more about the people than you do about the things. Care more about the doing than you care about the done.
Lauren Melton - Ensemble
Level 12 Damsel in Distress.
Joyce Murphy - Sound Designer/Audio Manager
Joyce Murphy is the the TAPS Audio Manager
Spencer Ng - Stage Manager
NOTE: This play was made in a pandemic. But because it's artist-driven and not patron-driven, this process with the gr8est cast and crew was just as fun and rewarding. Enjoy!
Heather Sparling - Lighting Manager
Heather Sparling is the the TAPS Lighting Manager
Jenny Pinson - TAPS Props Manager
There is a you who exists that is already done with the hard thing you're doing, and you get to be that person. It's a promise. And that's how I get anything done.
Samantha Rausch - Covid Compliance Manager
Samantha Rausch is the TAPS North Theater Manager
Nathan Rohrer - Costume Shop Manager
Nathan Rohrer is the TAPS Costume Shop Manager
Sharvari Sastry - Assistant Lighting Designer
I love that I get to live with the lights!
Ethan Schondorf - Assistant Scenic Designer
Nick Schwarz - Ensemble
I wish we threw paper airplanes off tall buildings at least three times more often than we currently do.
Dara Weinstein - Ensemble
Rushed and sloppy and irritated and alive.
A. Raheim White - Choreographer
Razor Wintercastle - Production Supervisor
Razor has worked in the world of production for years and is very pleased to work on this project. Razor also mentors teens to get involved with Backstage Production.
Justice Yoo - Assistant Director of Video Capture
Brandon Zang - Ensemble
Be gay do crime (also avoid!! dairy)
Sally Rose Zuckert - Actor
I think it’s funny because you know what you’re doing and you know you’re not wrong with me and I'm sorry I can’t keep it myself I just believe this.