Griffin Theatre Company Presents the Chicago Premiere of MEN SHOULD WEEP July 5 – August 10, 2014

MenShouldWeepPC-790x370Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to present the Chicago premiere of Ena Lamont Stewart’s landmark Scottish drama MEN SHOULD WEEP, directed by ensemble member Robin Witt, playing July 5 – August 10, 2014 on the East Stage of the Raven Theatre Complex, 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.griffintheatre.com or by calling (866) 811-4111 Griffin Theatre is the recipient of the 2014 Special Jeff Award, marking 25 years of presenting provocative and transformational theatre that bridges the generations.

MEN SHOULD WEEP features Katherine BanksMaggie CainChristina GormanAda GreyCurtis JacksonJodi KingsleyTim MartinLori MyersAshley NealAmanda PowellEllie ReedMichael SagutoRoxanne SaylorT. Isaac Sherman and Scot West.

Set in Glasgow’s tenements during the 1930s depression, MEN SHOULD WEEP follows the misfortunes of the Morrison family. Care-worn matriarch Maggie finds herself supported and challenged by a network of neighbors and family from whom it is impossible to keep any secrets. She does her very best in the worst of circumstances – always putting herself last in this searing and often funny depiction of the working class.

MEN SHOULD WEEP has not received an American production in 30 years. The Griffin Theatre is thrilled to bring this classic Scottish drama to Chicago and American audiences for the first time since 1984. Stewart’s play fits perfectly with Griffin’s mission of exploring inter-generational themes as it did with past productions like Time and the ConwaysFlare Path and Ah, Wilderness!

A seminal work in the UK’s contemporary play canon, MEN SHOULD WEEP was named one of the “Top 100 Plays of the Century” National Theatre of London’s millennium poll. The play made its hit debut at Glasgow Unity in 1947 followed by critically-acclaimed revivals at the Edinburgh Festival in 1982 and more recently at National Theatre of Scotland in 2010. In his four-star review, Michael Billington of The Guardian wrote, “This remains a landmark play in British drama; and, if men should weep, it is because Lamont Stewart was discouraged from ever writing a successor to a work that blends such indignation with theatrical exuberance.”

The production team for MEN SHOULD WEEP includes: Courtney O’Neill (set design), Kate Murphy (costume design), Brandon Wardell (lighting design), Victoria (toy) Deiorio (sound design), Janelle Boudreau (props designer), Joey deBettencourt (fight choreographer), Adam Goldstein (dialect coach), Majel Cuza (production manager, Mary O’Connor (assistant director) and Ellie Reed (casting director).

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Title: MEN SHOULD WEEP

Playwright: Ena Lamont Stewart

Director: Ensemble member Robin Witt

Cast: Katherine Banks (Lily), Maggie Cain (Granny), Christina Gorman (Mrs. Bone), Ada Grey (Edie), Curtis Jackson (Alec), Jodi Kingsley (Lizzie), Tim Martin (Removal Man 1), Lori Myers (Maggie), Ashley Neal (Mrs. Harris), Amanda Powell (Isa), Ellie Reed (Jenny), Michael Saguto (Ernie), Roxanne Saylor (Mrs. Wilson), T. Isaac Sherman (Removal Man 2) and Scot West (John).

Location:  East Stage of the Raven Theatre Complex, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago

Dates: Previews: Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 pmSunday, July 6 at 3 pmThursday, July 10 at 7:30 pm,Friday July 11 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 pm.

Press performanceSunday, July 13 at 7 pm

Regular runThursday, July 17 – Sunday, August 10, 2014

Curtain Times:  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm; Sundays at 3 pm. Please note: there will be an added matinee performance on Saturday, August 9 at 2:30 pm.

Tickets: Previews $25. Regular run $35. Students/seniors $30. Tickets are available at www.griffintheatre.com or by calling (866) 811-4111.

About the Playwright

Ena Lamont Stewart is a Scottish playwright whose works included Distinguished CompanyStarched Aprons,The Heir to Ardmally, Walkies Time for a Black Poodle and Knocking on the Wall. She was a founding member of the Scottish Society of Playwrights and the Scottish League of Dramatists.

About the Director

Robin Witt has directed Ferber and Kaufman’s Stage Door and Terrence Rattigan’s Flare Path for Griffin Theatre Company. She has worked at a variety of Chicago area theatres including Steep Theatre, A Red Orchid, and The Artistic Home. Robin recently directed Juliet: A Dialogue About Love for sacred playground theatre at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her work has earned numerous Jeff Award nominations and her productions have been cited as “Best of the Year” by the Chicago TribuneTime Out Chicago and the Chicago Reader. She is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA) and Northwestern University (MFA). Robin is an Assistant Professor at UNC Charlotte where she will be directing Sarah Kane’s 4:48Psychosis this year.

About Griffin Theatre Company

Established in 1988 and celebrating its 25th season, the mission of the Griffin Theatre Company is to create extraordinary and meaningful theatrical experiences for both children and adults by building bridges of understanding between generations that instill in its audience an appreciation of the performing arts. Through artistic collaboration the Griffin Theatre Company produces literary adaptations, original work and classic plays that challenge and inspire, with wit, style and compassion for the audience.

The Griffin Theatre Company is partially supported by grants from a City Arts Program II grant through the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

For additional information, visit www.griffintheatre.com.