WSR’s Lab Series announces 2016/2017 season at Raue Center

Williams Street Repertory is excited to announce the 2016/2017 Season of LAB Series. WSR’s LAB Series is dedicated to showcasing new scripts, giving the audience an artist’s perspective of the play on-the-page. The goal of the series is to offer a public forum, bringing audiences and theatre artists together to share and discuss a wide range of exciting new work. The company hopes to produce a LAB Series reading as a Mainstage production each year.

This season of LAB Series kicks off with “Shooting the Sphinx” on July 25. “Shooting the Sphinx” is an international thriller by Avram Noble Ludwig that follows Ari Zucker. In Hollywood, Zucker is the stuff of legends, the man who always gets the impossible-to-film shots. In Cairo, however, he faces the most difficult and dangerous challenge of his career. Caught in a web of intrigue and corruption, he must work with a military dictatorship to get the shot he needs for his film.

On September 26, LAB Series presents “Bosons” a comedic journey of cosmic discovery by K. Frithjof Peterson. When you look up, do you marvel at your place among the stars or feel to small to matter? These are the voyages of Karl and Lucy, two college kids who boldly go on a mission through worlds of subatomic particles and Star Trek to seek our which parts of us can survive against the cosmic backdrops of loss and loneliness.

LAB Series presents a farcical romp on January 30. “Bit O’ Wit in the Burbs” by Phil Denofrio follows two English artists who make a bet as to which one of them can steal the affections of their fellow ex-patriot from her moneyed French fiancé. Hilarity ensues.

On March 27, LAB Series presents Dipika Guha’s fanciful romantic comedy, “Mechanics of Love.” In a mythical European city pressed up against a communist state, it is natural that the business of beginning a new world involves forgetting the old one. This heightened and heartbreaking new comedy questions the laws that govern love, the physics of choosing a spouse, and the miracle of what endures.

WSR’s LAB Series finishes the season with a poignant romantic drama by Deborah Yarchun on May 1. After a devastating discovery during the first week of the London Blitz, Katrin, an American socialite, is propelled onto the streets during the blackout. Caught in an air raid, she seeks shelter in the basement of an abandoned music shop. She is followed by Lloyd, a displaced working class East Ender. Over four charged, complicated nights sheltering together in the music shop, Lloyd and Katrin become enmeshed in each other’s lives.

WSR’s LAB Series readings are held select Mondays at 7 p.m. at Raue Center. Admission is FREE! Come for the reading and stay for a discussion afterward! The LAB reading of today may become the Mainstage production of tomorrow! For more information, please visit wsrep.org.

About Williams Street Repertory

Williams Street Repertory is a non-profit theatre company located in the wonderful town of Crystal Lake, Illinois. Over the past 6 years, WSR has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of Illinois’ leading producing theatres. WSR is dedicated to sustaining an artistic process of innovative and emotionally charged work, telling diverse stories, and creating an in-house production company of well-respected artists. Since opening, WSR has presented more than 18 productions with a wide range of appeal: from Chicago premieres to international debuts to holiday favorites. In 2016, WSR entered into a contract with Actors Equity Association, making WSR the only professional theater company in McHenry County. Williams Street Rep is dedicated to its mission of producing diverse and emotionally charged stories that deepen the cultural richness of our community and our region. WSR was made possible through support provided by Susen Håakansson Berg and James C. Berg, the City of Crystal Lake, ComEd, McHenry County Community Foundation and Epic Repertory Theater Company. For additional information, visit wsrep.org.

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 15 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

Photo Credit:  Feb 2015 reading of “Any Other Name” by George Brant. “Any Other Name” is now included in WSR’s 2016/2017 Mainstage Season and will premiere March 17, 2017.  James Knight, Michele Vazquez and Ivan Ewert in “Any Other Name.”