Red Theater Opens SCHWEYK IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, 10/18

Red Theater presents the Chicago premiere of Schweyk in the Second World War by Bertolt Brecht and directed by Red Theater Artistic Director Aaron Sawyer, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave, October 18 – November 11.

The performance schedule for Schweyk in the Second World War is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays and Mondays at 7 p.m. Previews are Tuesday, Oct. 16 and Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. and opening/press night is Thursday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. The production runs 90 minutes Regular ticket prices are $28 for single tickets, $14 for industry/students/seniors/groups and $10 for previews. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Stage 773 box office at 773.327.5252 or online at www.Stage773.com. 

Schweyk in the Second World War is Bertolt Brecht's musical survival guide for oppression and tyranny as told by Schweyk's hilarious travels throughout Europe and Russia:  stealing and reselling dogs for the Gestapo, singing songs with a local bar maid and her crowd of rejects, and an unforgettable meeting with a vaudevillian puppet, Herr Hitler himself.

Originally written by Brecht, while in exile in the United States from 1941 to 1947 as a musical, the production features an original score by Nicholas Davio and Mike Evans and live music on stage. Red Theater has created their own puppets designed by Managing Director Kim Chelf for this production as detailed by Brecht to portray Hitler and other characters Schweyk encounters on his journey.

The complete cast and production team for Schweyk in the Second World War includes: 

CAST: Kevin Cox (Schweyk), Kara Davidson (Mrs. Kopecka), Gage Wallace (Prochazka/Schweyk understudy), Michael Harinchar (Baloun), Kim Chelf (Anna), Sydney Ray (Kati), Kate Carson-Groner (Old Woman, and others), Chris Bott (Brettschneider), Jared McDaris (Bullinger/Chaplain), Gus Steiner (Guard, SS Man Muller, Prochezka understudy), Chris Fowler (Lieutenant, Gestapo Agent, Dying Man, Dracula), Sabrina Conti (Dog Puppets, Young Girl, Kopecka understudy), Christopher Mueller (Hitler Puppet), and Justin Warren (Short-sighted man, George W Bush, Osama Bin Laden) 

CREW: Aaron Sawyer (director), Jarrod Bainter (lighting design/scenic design), Evan Sawdey (sound design), Matthew Lott (costume design), Holly McCauley (props), Mike Evans (music composition), Nicholas Davio (music composition), Sydney Ray (choreography), Milan Pribisic (dramturg) and Aaron Sawyer (fight choreographer).

Schweyk in the Second World War's director Aaron Sawyer is the founding Artistic Director of three Red Theater Collectives in Lincoln, Omaha, and Chicago. As a filmmaker, playwright and director, Sawyer has worked in Los Angles on film and television sets, assisted top literary agents, and directed a highly acclaimed short film starring Emmy-winner Michael Badalucco. Sawyer has an MFA in the Direction of Stage and Screen from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and his play, Red Hamlet, recently won accolades at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. He is currently in post production on a documentary feature film scheduled for festival release in 2013 and is excited to help launch a Script Competition encouraging a more theatrical theater. 

More Articles by This Author...