Quest Theatre’s World Premiere Musical “All the World’s a Stage” to Open February 12

Quest Theatre's World Premiere Musical "All the World's a Stage" to Open February 12 1 All the World's a Stage is a new musical that tells the beautiful story of life. The actors of this devised production tell personal stories of the many common experiences that connect us: birth, coming of age, love and relationships, career, loss of loved ones, aging and the greatest mystery of them all. The stories are connected by Shakespeare's concept that "All the world is a stage," and that even if the details of our lives vary, we all share many of the same great moments.Original songs composed by Scott Lamps with lyrics by Quest Ensemble Artistic Director Andrew Park relate to the confessional stories of the musical’s seven actors, who represent a range of ages and life experiences. Park, who will also direct the musical, says “Stylistically, it has aspects of the performance art movement – especially confessional solo shows like those of John Leguizamo, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal and Lily Tomlin. It's distinguished by multiple performers, live music and media.  All the World's a Stage is sometimes hilarious, sometimes thoughtful but always moving. Like our earlier shows Evolution/Creation and Four Seasons, it is humanistic and emotionally charged. We hope and believe it will resonate with audiences in a powerful way.”

unnamed-7All the World’s a Stage is a new musical that tells the beautiful story of life. The actors of this devised production tell personal stories of the many common experiences that connect us: birth, coming of age, love and relationships, career, loss of loved ones, aging and the greatest mystery of them all. The stories are connected by Shakespeare’s concept that “All the world is a stage,” and that even if the details of our lives vary, we all share many of the same great moments.Original songs composed by Scott Lamps with lyrics by Quest Ensemble Artistic Director Andrew Park relate to the confessional stories of the musical’s seven actors, who represent a range of ages and life experiences. Park, who will also direct the musical, says “Stylistically, it has aspects of the performance art movement – especially confessional solo shows like those of John Leguizamo, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal and Lily Tomlin. It’s distinguished by multiple performers, live music and media.  All the World’s a Stage is sometimes hilarious, sometimes thoughtful but always moving. Like our earlier shows Evolution/Creation and Four Seasons, it is humanistic and emotionally charged. We hope and believe it will resonate with audiences in a powerful way.”

The cast of All the World’s a Stage will include Darcie Bender-Hubber, Nate Buursma, Kiki Ciesielski, Kent Joseph, Molly LeCaptain, Vince Lonergan and Hannah Starr. The creative team will be Set Designer Kristen Neria, Costume Designer Katerina Papadatos, Lighting Designer Eric Vigo, Projection Designers Sam Cejtin and Andrew Park, Sound Designer Jack Mecherle, Scenic Artist Julie Taylor, Production Manager Emily Kefferstan, Stage Manager Ashlee Roland, Performance Stage Manager Joaquin Gomez, Assistant Stage Manager Melissa Golden and Assistant Director KC Matthews.

As always, all Quest performances are free. Recommendations are recommended, though not required. Reservations will be accepted starting in late October and may be made beginning in by calling Quest Theatre Ensemble at 312-458-0895 or visiting www.questensemble.org

LISTING INFORMATION
All the World’s a Stage
Music Scott Lamps, Lyrics by Andrew Park
Directed by Andrew Park
Music Direction by Sara Cate Langham
February 12 – March 20, 2016
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm
PRESS PERFORMANCES Saturday, February 13 at 8 pm, Sunday, February 14 at 2 pm
The Blue Theatre, 1609 W. Gregory Ave., Chicago
www.questensemble.org
Admission free, but reservations are highly recommended
Recommended for ages 12 and up
Reserve seats by phone at 312-458-0895 or online at www.questensemble.org
Free parking
Wheelchair accessible

ABOUT QUEST THEATRE ENSEMBLE

Quest Theatre Ensemble, founded in 2002, is known for its productions of established book shows as well as original plays and musicals – and for its innovative visual design frequently including large-scale puppetry. Past productions have included the annual holiday pageant Blue Nativity, performed in venues around Chicago every year since the company’s founding; Broadway musicals (Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods and Barnum); original pageants (Evolution/Creation, The Peoples’ History of the United States) and original book musicals like its Spring 2015 production, Tomato Queen.

Quest Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to being the “People’s Theatre of Chicago” by creating productions that Inform, Delight, Inspire and Unite. Committed to making theatre accessible to everyone, the ensemble choose stories that have universal appeal, finds innovative ways to engage the community and offers our productions free of charge so anyone can participate.