TUTA Theatre Chicago to Present THE SILENT LANGUAGE, 4/19-5/19

TUTA Theatre Chicago continues its eleventh season with The Silent Language, a U.S. premiere, written by Serbian playwright Miodrag Stanisavljevic, translated by Zoran Paunovic, and directed by Artistic Director Jacqueline Stone. The Silent Language will run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., in addition to Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4 p.m., from April 19 - May 19 at TUTA Studio Theatre, 2010 W. Fulton Avenue.

There is no 8 p.m. show on Saturday, May 4. Preview performances are April 11 - 18, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m., in addition to Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m. and are "pay-what-you-can". Opening/Press nights are Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m. There is a "pay-what-you-can" industry performance on Monday, April 29 at 8 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $25 at the door for adults and $15 for industry/students/children under 18 at all performances. Seating is extremely limited. Reservations are highly recommended. To reserve spots call Brown Paper Tickets at 1-800-838-3006 (24 Hours) or on-line at www.brownpapertickets.com. All reservations must be claimed no later than 15 minutes before a performance or they will be released. This show is recommended for children ages eight and up.

The Silent Language, a U.S. premiere, by Serbian playwright Miodrag Stanisavljevic, translated by Zoran Paunovic, is a highly musical and darkly comedic fairy tale. Written in the 1981, The Silent Language is an adaptation of an old Serbian folk tale originally called Nemusti Jezik. It follows the journey of a young village servant named Poor Gasho as he gains the ability to understand the "the silent language." As defined in this story, it is the language that only animals can speak and understand. On a larger scale, the script also speaks to the things we see and hear in everyday life, but fail to recognize due to our inabilities to listen and focus on details.

Stanisavljevic's structure is exciting and risky, marking a departure from the typical "alls-well-that-ends well" fairy tale structure. It's very open and at times, exposes the harsh realities of both good and evil. A large forest provides a backdrop for countless discoveries, facing your fears, and finding secrets in unexpected places.

The Silent Language will mark two big milestones at TUTA. It will be the U.S. premiere of a rarely produced Serbian play and it will mark the directorial debut at TUTA of their newly appointed Artistic Director, Jacqueline Stone. Stone, a co-founder and longtime company member, brings a wealth of experience and a unique understanding of TUTA's mission and desire to bring innovative international works to American audiences. The Silent Language is an ensemble piece, and will draw upon the long tradition and commitment TUTA has to working with its company members. It's musical in both form and content, and there will be a continued exploration of TUTA's commitment to original and rearranged forms of music.

The production features the talents of company member Jaimelyn Gray, and guest artists Sean Ewert, Laurie Larson,Carolyn Malloy, Max Lotspeich, Aaron Lawson, and Amber Robinson, under the direction of Jacqueline Stone (co-founder). Design and technical collaborators include: Original Music and Musical Direction by Wain Parham; set design by Michelle Lilly; costume design by Branimira Ivanova; lighting design by Keith Parham; sound design by Joe Court; prop design by Joel Lambie; and stage management by Allison Raynes.

Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jacqueline Stone directs The Silent Language, which makes this the 13^th production she has been artistically a part of for the company over the last eleven years. As an actress, she has appeared in numerous TUTA productions including The Wedding (1996, 2010, 2011), The Hour, Alice, Little Prince, Still Life in Color,Uncle Vanya (2008, 2009), Baal, and Fulton Street Sessions. Other Chicago theatre she has worked with include Chicago Dramatists, The Second City, Prop Thtr, 20% Theatre Company, WNEP Theatre, New Leaf Theatre, Backstage, Brown Couch, and io (formerly Improv Olympic). Stone recently directed the world premiere of Chelsea Marcantal's Devour at 20% Theatre Company, in addition to Jenny Siedelman's August 8, 1974. She directed the world premiere of Dee Bolos' acclaimed one woman show Southside (Prop Thtr, NYC Fringe, Seattle Fringe). In addition she directed the world premiere of Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Apollo,Touring company, and Millennium Park) and the Midwest première of Junie B. Jones at Emerald City Theatre Company.

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