Chicago Premiere of 'The People's Temple' (ATC)

Production premieres in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Jonestown Massacre and features new material gathered from survivor interviews


American Theater Company (ATC) kicks off its ambitious Season 24 with The People's Temple directed by co-creator of The Laramie Project Leigh Fondakowski.The production will run September 4 - September 22, 2008 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago. Press opening is Monday, September 8, 2008 at 7 p.m.

1978. Jonestown, Guyana. An interracial religious group, lead by their charismatic leader Jim Jones, move to the remote jungles of South America to build a utopian community. From the creators of The Laramie Project comes this premiere production combining actual interviews with survivors and family members and live gospel music to tell the untold stories of a community that dreamed of a better life, and its shocking demise.

The People's Temple was commissioned in 2001 following the critical success of The Laramie Project, also written in collaboration with Greg Pierotti, Stephen Wangh and Margot Hall. The People's Temple was researched and written over the course of six years and includes first-hand interviews with former Temple members, family members and survivors of the November 18, 1978 Massacre - many of whom have remained silent for over twenty years. One of the largest Ensemble projects in American Theater Company history, American Theater Company's staging, helmed by head writer Leigh Fondakowski, marks the Chicago Premiere, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Jonestown Massacre. The newly revised production will include never-before-seen material from personal interviews as well as archival audio and video footage from the final days of Jonestown. Survivors from across the country will attend a special preview performance on Saturday, September 6, 2008.

"The People's Temple is one of the most provocative and fascinating pieces of theatre I have ever been involved with. That six years of interviews and research has gone into the project is simply astounding," says Artistic Director PJ Paparelli. "When I arrived over six months ago I knew immediately that ATC needed to bring this groundbreaking piece to Chicago. We are so proud to bring life to the people and stories that had been lost to America until Leigh and her brave collaborators so painstakingly assembled them together in this incredible theatrical journey.  The People's Temple debunks the myths of Jonestown and tells the truth, straight from the people who lived it."  

The People's Temple premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2005 to incredible critical acclaim, and then moved to Perseverance Theatre and on to The Guthrie, where it played in 2006. ATC's production is the final revision of the script. The People's Temple features one of the largest casts in ATC history, including ATC Ensemble Members Cheryl Graeff, John Mohrlein, Tania Richard and Editha Rosario, with Patrick Andrews, Daniel Bryan, Darrell W. Cox, Tim Dekker, Kenn Head, Amy Methany and Penelope Walker.

The designers are Sarah Lambert (Set Designer), Christine Pascual (Costumes), Betsy Adams (Lighting Designer), Kevin O'Donnell (Sound Designers), DJ Reed (Props). Katie Klemme is Stage Manager.

Leigh Fondakowski (Director and Playwright) was the Head Writer of The Laramie Project and has been a member of Tectonic Theatre Project since 1995.  She is an Emmy nominated co-screenwriter for the adaptation of The Laramie Project for HBO. Her latest work, The People's Temple, has been performed under her direction at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Perseverance Theater, and The Guthrie Theater, and received the Glickman Award for Best New Play in the Bay Area in 2005.  Another original play, I Think I Like Girls, premiered at Encore Theater in San Francisco under her direction and was voted one of the top 10 plays of 2002 by The Advocate.  Other directing credits include: 3 Seconds in the Key by Deb Margolin (San Francisco Playhouse), The Laramie Project (Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Perseverance Theatre), La Voix Humaine by Jean Cocteau (Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh), Agatha by Marguerite Duras (French Alliance, New York), Gwen John adapted from the novel by Jane Warrick (HERE, New York), and workshops of new plays by Jeff Baron, Colman Domingo, Laura Eason and Paul Oakley Stovall. Leigh is a 2007 recipient of the NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program for Playwrights and is developing a play about 19th century actress Charlotte Cushman with About Face Theatre and Tectonic Theater Project. She teaches in the Masters in Contemporary Performance program at Naropa University.

The People's Temple will be performed at American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St. in Chicago.  Previews are Thursday, September 4 - Sunday, September 7, 2008.  Press opening is Monday, September 8, 2008 at 7:00 pm  Regular performances run Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m.

Parking is available on the street and at the metered lot on the corner of Lincoln and Berenice.  ATC is wheelchair accessible.  Tickets are $20 during previews. Throughout the regular run, tickets are $30 on Thursday's as well as for matinees and $35 on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Opening Night tickets are $50. Student and group discounts are available. ATC's box office is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on performance Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on performance Sundays.  For reservations or further information, call 773-929-1031 or visit www.atcweb.org.

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY
American Theater Company is an ensemble of artists committed to producing new and classic American stories that ask the question, "What does it mean to be an American?" We provide a truly intimate home for the community to experience meaningful stories.  We foster a nurturing environment for artists to take risks and create essential work.  

American Theater Company is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and CityArts II.  Additional valuable support is provided by the Alphawood Foundation, the Bruce B. Boyd Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, the Polk Bros. Foundation, and Prince Charitable Trust.



The People's Temple / FACT SHEET

Brief Synopsis: 1978. Jonestown, Guyana. An interracial religious group, lead by their charismatic leader Jim Jones, move to the remote jungles of South America to build a utopian community. From the creators of The Laramie Project comes this premiere production combining actual interviews with survivors and family members and live gospel music to tell the untold stories of a community that dreamed of a better life, and its shocking demise. One of the largest Ensemble projects in American Theater Company history, The People's Temple will premiere new material from recent interviews for its Chicago premiere during the 30th Anniversary of Jonestown.

The People's Temple
Playwright:    Leigh Fondakowski in collaboration with Greg Pierotti, Stephen Wangh and Margo Hall
Directed by:  Leigh Fondakowski
    
Dates: Previews: Thursday, September 4 - Sunday, September 7, 2008
Press opening: Monday, September 8, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
Regular run: September 9 - September 22, 2008
Schedule: Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm      
Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm        
Sundays: 3:00pm      

Location:   American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St., Chicago
Tickets:    Previews: Pay what you can at the door, or reserved seats for $35 on Thursdays & Sundays and $40 on Fridays & Saturdays

Regular run: Thursdays & matinees $35; Fri & Sat evenings $40
Opening night including post-show reception $50

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 1909 W Byron St., Chicago; 773-409-4125; www.atcweb.org