Lookingglass Extends EASTLAND Through 8/19

Lookingglass Theatre announces 3 weeks of additional performances for Eastland: A New Musical. The world premiere, smash-hit Lookingglasss Original musical written by Artistic Director Andrew White, with music by Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman and direction by Amanda Dehnert, has been extended through August 19, 2012, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson. Tickets for the extension are now on sale and available online, www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the Lookingglass Theatre box office. For more information and box office hours, visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

July 24,1915: the S.S. Eastland sits on the Chicago River between Clark St. and LaSalle, overflowing with passengers. Slowly the boat leans to port — and keeps leaning, until finally it tips and comes to rest on its side. By day’s end, hundreds will perish, whole families will vanish, and unexpected heroes will emerge.
Unforgettable melodies and haunting harmonies inspired by early American folk music weave a tapestry of working class stories and colorful characters, giving voice to the victims and heroes of that fateful day.

Artistic Director Andrew White (Of One Blood, 1984) resurrects the ghosts of America’s forgotten tragedy in this Lookingglass Original musical, with music by Ben Sussman and Artistic Associate Andre Pluess, the team behind the score of Lookingglass Alice, 1984, Metamorphoses, Hard Times, and The Secret in the Wings, as well as the acclaimed Winesburg, Ohio.

Eastland is based in part on events recounted in Jay Bonansinga’s The Sinking of the Eastland: America’s Forgotten Tragedy.

Eastland: A New Musical features Ensemble Members Larry DiStasi (Otto, Olaf and others),
Christine Mary Dunford (Marianne and others), and Doug Hara (Reggie), as well as
Jeanne T. Arrigo (Sister, musician and others), Derek Hasenstab (Husband, Houdini and others),
Erik Hellman (Grocer, musician and others), Malcolm Ruhl (Musician and others/Music Director),
Michael Smith (Pedersen, musician and others), Scott Stangland (Ernie, musician and others),
Tiffany Topol (Solveig and others), Claire Wellin (Bobbie) and Monica West (Ilse).

Designers include Ensemble Members Dan Ostling (scenic), Mara Blumenfeld (costume), as well as Company Members Christine A. Binder (lighting), Ray Nardelli and Josh Horvath (sound); with Maria DeFabo (properties). Malcolm Ruhl is the music director.