Victory Gardens Theater Presents Backstage at the Biograph: In Plain Sight, Oct. 29th
Victory Gardens Theater announces Backstage at the Biograph: In Plain Sight. This behind-the-scenes event focuses on Never the Sinner by John Logan, directed by Gary Griffin, running November 6 – December 6, 2015. Backstage at the Biograph: In Plain Sight examines the real life case of Leopold and Loeb, including a discussion with the actors portraying these unforgettable young men. Backstage at the Biograph: In Plain Sight is Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.
Backstage at the Biograph: In Plain Sight features Never the Sinner cast members Japhet Balaban (Leopold) and Jordan Brodess (Loeb), as well as a panel of experts in the fields of experts in criminology, psychology and law. The evening is hosted by Literary Manager Isaac Gomez.
From Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological crime thriller film Rope to John Logan’s historical drama Never the Sinner, the Leopold and Loeb case has inspired artistic recreations throughout the decades. But when truths intertwine with lies, where is the line between fact and fiction? Join Victory Gardens for an archival look atLeopold and Loeb vs. The State of Illinois as Literary Manager Isaac Gomez takes the audience on a journey of historical proportions at this open rehearsal kick-off party. Enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers, mingle with the cast at a 1920s themed party and get the scoop from our dramaturgical research team.
This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited and an RSVP is required. For more information visit www.victorygardens.org/backstage.
Backstage at the Biograph is sponsored by Whole Foods Market.
Upcoming Backstage at the Biograph Events:
Cocked
February 4, 2016
New Work: Realizing Sarah Gubbin’s Cocked
Hillary and Clinton
March 24, 2016
Reimagining Hillary
The House that Will Not Stand
June 2, 2016
Costume Design: Dressing the Women of 1836
About Never the Sinner
Chicago, May 21, 1924 – The Crime of the Century. Two handsome and wealthy college students, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, are accused of murder. The country demands to know if these two successful young men are capable of committing such an act. Never the Sinner, a thrilling courtroom drama from Victory Gardens’ Playwrights Ensemble Alumnus John Logan (The Last Ship and Tony Award for Red on Broadway) and directed by Gary Griffin (The Color Purple on Broadway, Appropriate), explores a complex and twisted relationship between two men in search of passion, intellect, and the perfect crime.
Never the Sinner will feature Japhet Balaban (Leopold), Bill Bannon (Reporter 1), Jordan Brodess (Loeb), Celeste Cooper (Reporter 2), Derek Hasenstab(Crowe), Keith Kupferer (Darrow) and Demetrios Troy (Reporter 3).
About Victory Gardens Theater
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Christopher Mannelli, Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. With Victory Gardens’ first new Artistic Director in 34 years, the company remains committed to the development, production and support of new plays that has been the mission of the theater since its founding, continuing the vision set forth by Dennis Zacek, Marcelle McVay, and the original founders of Victory Gardens Theater.
Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theatre work and cultivating an inclusive Chicago theater community. Victory Gardens’ core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city’s and nation’s culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to our city’s active student population.
Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater includes the Zacek-McVay Theater, a state-of-the-art 259-seat mainstage and the 109-seat studio theater on the second floor, named the Richard Christiansen Theater.
In 2012, Victory Gardens appointed new Ensemble Playwrights Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Samuel D. Hunter and Tanya Saracho, for seven-year residencies. The Playwrights Ensemble Alumni includes Claudia Allen, Lonnie Carter, Steve Carter, Gloria Bond Clunie, Dean Corrin, Nilo Cruz, Joel Drake Johnson, John Logan, Nicholas Patricca, Douglas Post, James Sherman, Charles Smith, Jeffrey Sweet and Kristine Thatcher.
For more information about Victory Gardens, visit www.victorygardens.org. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/victorygardens and Twitter @VictoryGardens.
Victory Gardens Theater receives major funding from The Wallace Foundation, Alphawood Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Shubert Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Allstate Insurance, Polk Bros. Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William and Orli Staley Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, and The REAM Foundation. Additional funding is provided by: Abbot Downing & Wells Fargo, Alliance Bernstein, The Charles H. and Bertha L. Boothroyd Foundation, Exelon, The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Illinois Arts Council (a state agency), Illinois Tool Works, Italian Village Restaurants, Mayer Brown LLP, The McVay Foundation, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, LLP, The Prince Charitable Trusts, The Saints, Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation, Southwest Airlines, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, and Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association.