Profiles Theatre Announces 20th Anniversary Production of HELLCAB Nov. 9 – Dec. 23
Profiles Theatre announces the 20th Anniversary production of Hellcab by Will Kern, the third show of the company’s 2012-2013 season. For the first time, Hellcab, directed by Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, features a cast of 34. The production runs November 9, 2012 – December 23, 2012. Performances will be held at Profiles newest venue, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway.
Hellcab presents a day in the life story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious collection of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago. Playwright Will Kern draws from personal experience as a former cab driver to create this alternately frightening, hilarious and poignant journey. Throughout his long shift, the eclectic collection of passengers includes a trio of drug-addicts, a smug lawyer, a born-again couple, and a randy couple on their way to a motel. Set during a bitter cold Christmas Eve, Hellcab presents a rear-view image mirroring the passing parade of humanity.
Profiles presents the 20th Anniversary production of Kern’s landmark play. First produced as a late-night show by Famous Door Theatre in 1992, the play was originally scheduled for twelve performances and ended up running for over nine years, becoming one of the longest running shows in Chicago theatre history. Hellcabhas been performed all over the U.S. and abroad, including Scotland, Israel, Singapore, and Ireland. The play won numerous awards, including a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival and was adapted for the screen by Mr. Kern in 1998.
Directed by Profiles Co-Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, Hellcab will feature a cast of 34 Chicago actors. Originally performed by a cast of one driver and six ensemble members playing multiple roles as the passengers, Profiles celebrates the diversity of Chicago by filling each ensemble role with a different actor. The cast includes Konstantin Khrustov as the driver with the passenger roles performed by Dennis Bisto, Rebecca Julia Brown, Maryann Carlson, Chris Carr, Mike Cherry, Eric J. Ciak, Alex Fisher, LJ Flora, Jeff Gamlin, Carly Jo Geer, Philena Gilmer, Charles Glenn, Rob Grabowski, Desmond Gray, Aaron Holland, Khalil Lesaldo, Kaitlyn Majoy, Jack McCabe, Christopher McMorris, Katrina V. Miller, Stephanie Monday, Joseph W. Moore III, Todd Neal, Brennan Roche, Sarai Rodriguez, Andrew L. Saenz, Sheridan Singleton, Adam Soule, Aaron Spencer, Elise Spoerlein, Scott Stockwell, Rachel Weeks and Jin You.
“I’ve always been pleased – and kind of amazed – that my little play gets produced year after year, and that audiences still feel a connection with it, even after all this time,” says playwright Will Kern. “It’s great thatHellcab is getting a 20th anniversary production, especially by a theatre company as well-regarded and talented as Profiles.”
The designers are Shaun Renfro (set), Mike Durst (lights), Jeffrey Levin (sound and original music), and Raquel Adorno (costumes). Jordan Muller is the stage manager and Eric Burgher and Harmony France serve as assistant directors.
Hellcab is the third production of Profiles Theatre’s 24th season. The Midwest premiere of The Dream of the Burning Boyby David West Read, the fourth show of the season, opens January 24, 2012 at Profiles original venue, The Alley Stage.
Tickets for Hellcab are $35 for Thursdays, $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available by phone, (773) 549-1815, or online, www.profilestheatre.org. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 5:00 and 8:00 pm, Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
WILL KERN (Playwright) is the author of Hellcab, one of the longest-running shows in Chicago theater history. Originally produced in 1992 by Famous Door Theater, Hellcab was originally scheduled for twelve performances as a late show, but its success with audiences and critics kept it going. It eventually landed it on the main stage in 1993, where it stayed, with many cast changes and at various theaters, until 2002. The stories from Hellcab are taken from real life – 85% of the play is true, and happened to the author. The other 15% are based on stories heard. Some of Mr. Kern’s other theater writing credits include Kid Sister, which received its World premiere at Profiles Theatre in 2010 and Mothers and Tigers: True Stories of Korean Women at Chaimoo Theater, in Seoul, South Korea, in 2008. As a screenwriter, Mr. Kern wrote the film adaptation of Hellcab, the award-winning short film Pain Chain and Lost in Rome. His travel writing and non-fiction have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers around the world as well. Currently, Mr. Kern teaches debate and narrative communication strategies at Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul. He is married, and has a two-year-old son.
DARRELL W. COX (Director) is the Co-Artistic Director of Profiles Theatre and most recently directed the Midwest premiere of Bachelorette by Leslye Headland. Prior to that, he directed the American premiere of The Wonderful World of Dissocia by Anthony Neilson, Profiles’ Midwest premieres of This is How it Goes, “Coax” and the titular piece from Things We Said Today and Profiles’ long running hit, Autobahn, all by Neil Labute. Mr. Cox has directed numerous productions for Profiles over the years including the Midwest premieres of The Radiant Abyss by Angus MacLachlan and Wonder of the World by David Lindsay-Abaire. Other directorial credits for Profiles include The Water Engine, How the Other Half Loves and The Twilight Zone: The Series.
DENNIS BISTO (Ensemble) is making his Chicago and Profiles debut in Hellcab. He was most recently seen in the World premiere of The First Annual Northern Maine Arts Festival at the Middle East in Boston. He is returns to the stage after working primarily in student and independent films.
REBECCA JULIA BROWN (Ensemble) is making her Chicago debut with Hellcab. She is currently an acting major at UIC. Past stage credits include Full Circle, The Winter’s Tale, and Sweeney Todd, and in 2003, she was in the film School of Rock.
MARYANN CARLSON (Ensemble) is an ensemble member at Profiles. She most recently performed with Chicago Kids Company in their production of Cinderella. In addition to stage managing several productions at Profiles including Bachelorette, Maryann is Profiles’ Internship Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for the Advanced Scene Study Intensive.
CHRIS CARR (Ensemble) is making his Profiles debut with Hellcab. Recent Chicago credits include Almost an Evening, Five Flights and Obscura. He has also understudied at Goodman Theatre for Mary and Remy Bumppo for Bronte and On the Verge. Chris can also be seen in Stephen Cone’s film, In Memoriam.
MIKE CHERRY (Ensemble) is originally from Seattle, Washington. He moved to Chicago about 7 years ago and was most recently seen in the Jeff-nominated production of FishMen at the Goodman Theatre. Other recent Chicago credits include Riff Raff at Mary-Arrchie Theatre and Sonnets For An Old Century with UrbanTheatre Company as part of the Steppenwolf Garage Rep.
ERIC J. CIAK (Ensemble) has been in numerous shows around town and was last seen in True Blue at Gorilla Tango Theatre. He has also worked with Black Sheep Productions and Metropolis Theatre.
ALEX FISHER (Ensemble) is making her debut at Profiles Theatre. Recent credits include Alais in The Lion in Winter with Idle Muse Theatre Company and Sophia Western in Tom Jones with Polarity Ensemble.
LJ FLORA (Ensemble) is appearing with Profiles Theatre for the first time. She received a BA in Theatre, along with training at Second City, Act I, Profiles, and Artistic Home. Recently she has appeared in The Diaries of Adam and Eve at Evergreen Theatre, Hamlet and King Lear at Chase Park Theatre.
JEFF GAMLIN (Ensemble) returns to Profiles after understudying for Sweet and Sad. Past credits includeWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at Redtwist Theatre, Alien Queen, and RENT as Tom Collins at the Paramount Theater. Jeff will direct the World premiere of Still at Spotlight Theater, where he serves as Artistic Director.
CARLY JO GEER (Ensemble) is making her professional debut with Hellcab. She is currently a senior at Columbia College where she studies acting. Favorite roles include Bottom in A Midsummer Nights Dream,Roberta in Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical, and Mrs. Butterworth in The Book of Liz.
PHILENA GILMER (Ensemble) was most recently seen in Rhinoceros with the Organic Theatre Company and Butterflies are Free with Big Noise Theatre. She comes from Virginia where she was company member of The Barter Players.
CHARLES GLENN (Ensemble) is appearing with Profiles for the first time. He has been seen in various productions in the Chicagoland area through the years and has worked with the Prop Theatre, Steppenwolf, Chicago Theater Company, Illinois Theater Center, Stage Actors Ensemble, Second City, Raven Theatre, Pegasus Players, Touchstone and Shakespeare on the Green.
ROB GRABOWSKI (Ensemble) is making his Profiles debut. Other theaters he’s worked with in Chicago include Infusion, The Ruckus and Piccolo to name a few. Rob performs regularly at iO Chicago, Comedy Sportz Chicago and the Playground.
DESMOND GRAY (Ensemble) is making his Profiles debut with Hellcab. He was most recently seen as Mika in The Inconvenience’s Hit The Wall at the Steppenwolf Garage. Desmond has also worked with Bailiwick Chicago, Timeline, Theatre Seven and Collaboraction.
AARON HOLLAND (Ensemble) is making his Profiles debut in Hellcab. Recent credits include Goodnight Moon and Dot & Ziggy with Chicago Children’s Theatre, A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theatre, TheBrother/Sister Plays at Steppenwolf Theatre, Passing Strange at Bailiwick Chicago and Romeo & Juliet at TUTA. Aaron is a literary manager and playwright-in-residence at Bailiwick Chicago.
KONSTANTIN KHRUSTOV (Driver) is appearing for the first time with Profiles Theatre. He graduated from the Second City acting program and recently from the ActOne Meisner program. He has also appeared in many independent and student films around Chicago.
KHALIL LESALDO (Ensemble) is relatively new to Chicago and working with Profiles again after understudying the role of Warren in their production of After. Previous Chicago credits include performances of Wrong Mountain at Rare Terra, Predator: The Musical with Roundhouse Productions, and Wait Until Dark at Jedlicka Performing Arts.
KAITLYN MAJOY (Ensemble) is making her Profiles debut. Recent Chicago credits include work with Prologue Theatre, Nothing Special Productions, and The State Theatre. Favorite roles include Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest and Milky White in Into the Woods.
JACK MCCABE (Ensemble) has appeared in Profiles’ productions of Men of Tortuga and Autobahn. He has worked with such companies as Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, A Red Orchid, American Theatre Co., Live Bait, European Repertory Theatre, and The New Colony. His film credits include Tapioca, Mr. Id, and Lana’s Rain as well as the short film So Many Days and The White Box.
CHRISTOPHER MCMORRIS (Ensemble) is making his Profiles Theatre debut. He has worked on numerous stages in Chicago including NO CHILD with St. Martin Rep, ALICE OF THE HOUSE OF CARROL for National Pastime and PIECE MEAL CLAN with MPPAACT.
KATRINA V. MILLER (Ensemble) is making her Profiles Theatre debut. She is a senior member at Black Ensemble Theater having been in several productions since 2001. Her most recent productions there wereThe Marvin Gaye Story and All In Love Is Fair for which she won best lead actress from BTAA and Black Excellence Awards.
STEPHANIE MONDAY (Ensemble) is returning to Chicago for Hellcab and appearing with Profiles for the first time. She has also worked with Steppenwolf Theatre and Forward Theatre Company in Madison, Wisconsin. Ms. Monday’s favorite roles include Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire and Alexa Vere de Vere inAs Bees In Honey Drown.
JOSEPH W. MOORE III (Ensemble) is appearing with Profiles Theatre for the first time and making his professional debut with Hellcab. He is currently attending Columbia College Chicago where he appeared in The Shipment, Love SongVignettes and A Raisin in the Sun.
TODD NEAL (Ensemble) appears with Profiles for the first time. Other productions include A Matter Of Timeat the Viaduct Theatre and We Have Always Lived In The Castle with City Lit Theatre. When not acting, Todd is a proud doorman in the South Loop.
BRENNAN ROCHE (Ensemble) is making his Chicago and Profiles debut with Hellcab after recently graduating from Loyola Marymount University with credits including Adam in The Shape of Things, Hal inProof, and Speed in The Odd Couple.
SARAI RODRIGUEZ (Ensemble) is a native Texan and performing in her first Profiles production. She is a YoungArts alumn Merit Award winner, as well as a Joci Award winner from the Las Casas Foundation for Excellence in the Performing Arts.
ANDREW L. SAENZ (Ensemble) makes his Chicago acting debut in Hellcab and working with Profiles Theatre for the first time. In Waco, Texas, he appeared in Anna in the Tropics and Macbeth with Jones Theatre as well as Almost, Maine and Enchanted April with Mabee Theatre.
SHERIDAN SINGLETON (Ensemble) is making her debut at Profiles Theatre. Her most recent performances include The War to End War in the 2012 Chicago Fringe Festival and Dark of the Moon with the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
ADAM SOULE (Ensemble) is returning to Profiles after his debut in last season’s Bachelorette. Other recent Chicago credits include WildClaw’s The Life of Death, Broken Nose’s My First Time, and VTC’s Woman School. Adam recently wrapped principal photography on Jason Knade’s Searching for Venice and is represented by Big Mouth Talent.
AARON SPENCER (Ensemble) appears with Profiles for the first time. He was most recently seen in Twelve Angry Men at Center Stage Theatre in Lake Forest. He comes from Salt Lake City, Utah where he performed at The Pioneer Theatre and The Egyptian Theatre and studied theatre at the University of Utah.
ELISE SPOERLEIN (Ensemble) is making her Profiles stage debut after assistant directing Bachelorette, In a Forest, Dark and Deep, and After. Recent Chicago acting credits include In the Jungle with Wakadoo Productions, The Promise at side project, and The Red Stuff with ATC. Elise is also the Assistant Literary Manager at Profiles.
SCOTT STOCKWELL (Ensemble) is returning to Profiles after understudying for Robert Breuler in Sweet and Sad. His Chicago credits include Falstaff in Merry Wives of Windsor and Splatter Theater with the Annoyance Theatre.
RACHEL WEEKS (Ensemble) is making her Profiles Theatre debut with Hellcab. Her Chicago credits includeArt Heist with Abraham Werewolf and multiple collaborations with Redmoon Theater. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.
JIN YOU (Ensemble) is working with Profiles for the first time. After many years of graduate school in California, she’s grateful to be back on stage and back home in Chicago. At DePaul, she appeared inTwelfth Night, Antigone and The Claw. Jin is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.
FACTS
Title: Hellcab
Playwright: by Will Kern
Directed by: Darrell W. Cox
Featuring: Dennis Bisto, Rebecca Julia Brown, Maryann Carlson, Chris Carr, Mike Cherry, Eric J. Ciak, Alex Fisher, LJ Flora, Jeff Gamlin, Carly Jo Geer, Philena Gilmer, Charles Glenn, Rob Grabowski, Desmond Gray, Aaron Holland, Konstantin Khrustov, Khalil Lesaldo, Kaitlyn Majoy, Jack McCabe, Christopher McMorris, Katrina V. Miller, Stephanie Monday, Joseph W. Moore III, Todd Neal, Brennan Roche, Sarai Rodriguez, Andrew L. Saenz, Sheridan Singleton, Adam Soule, Aaron Spencer, Elise Spoerlein, Scott Stockwell, Rachel Weeks, Jin You
Dates: Previews: November 9 – November 14, 2012
Schedule: Thurs., Fri.: 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and 8:00p.m. (no 5pm show November 17)
Sunday: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Profiles Theatre, The Main Stage, 4139 N. Broadway
Parking is available for $10 – $12 at 4100 N. Clarendon
(One block east of the theatre at the corner of Clarendon and Belle Plaine)
Ticket prices: Previews: $20
Regular Run: Thursdays are $35, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $40; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.
Box Office: Buy online at www.profilestheatre.org
or call (773) 549-1815
ABOUT PROFILES THEATRE
Profiles Theatre, founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Joe Jahraus, joined shortly thereafter by Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox, was formed as an actor-driven theatre ensemble dedicated to creating provocative and emotionally truthful productions. Passionate about shaping an original vision for new works, they focused on performing World, American and Midwest premieres as well as rarely performed plays. Critically acclaimed hits, such as BLACKBIRD, FAT PIG, GRACELAND and the multiple Jeff Award-winning KILLER JOE, established Profiles as a destination for challenging and edgy theatre. Their unique collaboration with playwright Neil LaBute led the ensemble to perform an entire season of his plays in 2007-2008. Now a Resident Artist at Profiles, LaBute remains an unequivocal artistic influence on the ensemble.
After performing at 4147 North Broadway for more than two decades, Profiles acquired an adjacent theatre at 4139 North Broadway in 2012. Profiles’ new theatre, The Main Stage, with its larger seating capacity, increased performance space and higher ceilings, accommodates more ambitious and technically demanding productions. Their long-time venue, renamed The Alley Stage, continues as the home for plays strengthened by a more intimate staging. Driven by an undiminished appetite for creating honest and resonant theatre, Profiles still seeks to present work that illuminates the determination and resiliency of the human spirit.