Clockwise Theatre Announces The MidWest Premiere of Tammy Ryan’s SOLDIER’S HEART Sept. 25- Oct. 18

Clockwise Theatre Announces The MidWest Premiere of Tammy Ryan's SOLDIER’S HEART Sept. 25- Oct. 18 1 Tammy Ryan is the author of numerous produced plays, including Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods, The Music Lesson, Dark Part of the Forest, Tar Beach, many others, plus the libretto of a new opera based upon Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’,  A New Kind of Fallout. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at The Alliance Theater Company, Dorset Theater Festival, Florida Stage, Marin Theater Company, The REP at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, City Theater, Bricolage, and the Lark Play Development Lab among others, and has been featured at NNPN's National Showcase of New Plays. In addition her plays for young audiences have twice received the National Playwriting for Youth Bonderman Award, including The Music Lesson, which also received the American Alliance of Theatre in Education's Distinguished Play Award.
Soldiers-Heart-new-banner1Soldier’s Heart, award-winning playwright Tammy Ryan’s searing 2013 military play, is receiving its Midwestern premiere at Clockwise Theatre, 221 N. Genesee St., in downtown Waukegan.  Soldier’s Heart opens September 25th and runs weekends to October 18th.

The play is being presented simultaneously with the inauguration of Waukegan ArtWise, a city-wide community cultural event, kicking off with a photographic exhibit at the Urban Edge Gallery in Waukegan, “Those Who Serve”, the front line military photographs of Ryan Spencer Reed.

An unsparing examination of the psychological wounds of war, the action of Soldier’s Heart shifts seamlessly between the suburban Pittsburgh home of USMC Sergeant Casey Johnson, and her memories of her first tour in Iraq. A mother and a recent divorcee, Casey suffers from PTSD and severe emotional trauma, finding herself psychologically paralyzed yet unable to bring herself to seek appropriate treatment. The play probes both Casey’s relationships with her family, and her tour of duty with the Marines in her combat unit, leading to a powerful climax.
Reviewers said:
“A tense, raw, troubling and no-nonsense examination of what happens to soldiers, particularly female soldiers, serving in the military in general and Iraq in particular.”
“Portrayls of soldiers wrecked by war date to the ancient Greeks (see Aeschylus), but Ms. Ryan adeptly reworks the time-tested recipe from a woman’s perspective to make it seem fresh again……Briskly written in brief scenes that easily flash back and forth….the subject of sexual assault in the military gives the play weight and merit. Ms. Ryan deftly layers critical incidents that culminate in a forceful climax….Frank, colloquial language delivers a strong sense of spontaneity.”
– Michael Sommers, The New York Times

Doug McDade (Gurnee) directs, with a cast featuring Amanda Lipinski (Chicago), Elizabeth Rude (Northbrook), Eliott Johnson (Chicago), Elise W. Zell (Chicago), Brian Nelson (Chicago), Zachary Bloomfield (Plainfield), and Daniel Pass (Highland Park).

 
Bob Sanders, Clockwise Theatre’s Artistic Director (Lake Forest) and Edward Kuffert (Lake Forest) act as co-producers.

Tammy Ryan is the author of numerous produced plays, including Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods, The Music Lesson, Dark Part of the Forest, Tar Beach, many others, plus the libretto of a new opera based upon Rachel Carson’s ‘Silent Spring’,  A New Kind of Fallout. Her work has been commissioned, produced and developed at The Alliance Theater Company, Dorset Theater Festival, Florida Stage, Marin Theater Company, The REP at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, City Theater, Bricolage, and the Lark Play Development Lab among others, and has been featured at NNPN’s National Showcase of New Plays. In addition her plays for young audiences have twice received the National Playwriting for Youth Bonderman Award, including The Music Lesson, which also received the American Alliance of Theatre in Education’s Distinguished Play Award.

Doug McDade’s extensive directing credits include Clockwise Theatre’s inaugural production of Kita y Fernanda (2010), Palmer Park (2012) and most recently Doubting Thomas (2014). His directorial work in film includes CUTEeGRL which received an award for Best Short Film Thriller at The 2011 Illinois International Film Festival. Doug is an original ensemble member and Managing Director of Chicago’s critically acclaimed Shattered Globe Theatre. He has performed in numerous SGT productions, including The Rose Tattoo, Other People’s Money, The Price, Dealer’s Choice, The House of Blue Leaves, The Manchurian Candidate (Jeff Award Recipient), A View from the Bridge (Jeff Award Nomination), Warhawks & Lindberghs (Jeff Award Nomination). Doug shares several Jeff (Equity and Non-Equity Wing) and After Dark awards for Ensemble with SGT, American Blues Theatre and Next Theatre productions.

Because of adult themes, frank language and controversial material, Soldier’s Heart is recommended for mature audiences only.  Children under the age of 13 will not be admitted.
Audience Talkbacks are scheduled following the performance on Friday 10/2, Friday 10/9, and Friday, 10/16.

Soldier’s Heart plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 3PM. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased through the website atwww.clockwisetheatre.org., by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006, or at the door. Veterans, Industry and Seniors rates are available, as are Group rates (10 or more, pre-paid).

Cast photography will be available as of 8/20/15.  For more information, please visit Clockwise Theatre’s website.

Clockwise Theatre is located at 221 N. Genesee Street in downtown Waukegan.

Ample, free on-street parking.