The Artistic Home Announces 2013 Season

After a season of being an itinerant theatre, The Artistic Home has returned to its roots and laid out the welcome mat at a new, intimate storefront space in Chicago's West Town neighborhood.

Located at 1376 W. Grand, the new space will feature a 45-seat flex space mainstage performance space along with a 24-seat studio space dedicated to the company's growing acting school, The Artistic Home Studio.

"We felt the need to get back to a space where, as an actor, you cannot hide. This type of performance space is what shaped us into the company that produced visceral, powerful shows such as Peer Gynt, After the Fall, Juno and The Paycock and Sweet Bird of Youth," said artistic director Kathy Scambiatterra. "As a theatre company, the acting and audience connection has always been our hallmark and we knew it was time to get back to that truth."

To kick things off, The Artistic Home will be launching the new space with a revival of Tennessee William's The Night of the Iguana. Featuring Artistic Home associate artistic director John Mossman in the role of Reverend Shannon, the play focuses on the spiritually-lost reverend and his soul-gutting battle to save himself amid the denizens of a Mexican hotel. Caught between the women who tempt and taunt him, Shannon faces his own personal Gesthemane during the dark tropical night where everyone learns exactly what happens when you come to the end of your rope.

The Night of the Iguana will be the first reteaming of Scambiatterra and Mossman since the critically-acclaimedJuno and The Paycock. This time, Scambiatterra will be in the director's seat and Mossman will be on the boards taking on the role of Reverend Shannon. He will be joined by Artistic Home ensemble members Miranda Zola and Elizabeth Argus along with guests artists Kelly Owens, Eustace Allen, Walter Brody, Jane deLaubenfels, Ryan Heywood, Hank Hilbert, Michael Leon, Irene Servose, MykAl Smith and Eric Simon.

Costumes will be designed by Lynn Sandberg, set design will be by Ira Amyx, light design will be by Garvin Jellison and sound design is by Adam Smith. The production will be stage managed by Skye Shrum.

The Night of the Iguana opens March 24 and runs through May 5, 2013, at The Artistic Home, 1376 W. Grand Ave. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Previews are March 20-23 at 8p.m.

Following The Night of the Iguana, The Artistic Home will be producing the world-premiere of the play Beaten, by Scott Woldman. Focusing on three generations of women, Beaten examines how far a family will go to free each other from the seemingly never-ending spiral of abuse. Directed by Artistic Home ensemble member Katherine Swan, Beaten will feature ensemble members Kathy Scambiatterra and Kristin Collins.

Beaten opens June 30 and runs through August 11, 2013, at 1376 W. Grand. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Previews are June 26-29 at 8p.m.

More Articles by This Author...