The Building Stage to Close Season with LIFE IS A DREAM, 5/18-6/30

The Building Stage, now in its 7th year creating original works of theater, wraps up its four-show season with its original adaptation of Pedro Calderon de la Barca's LIFE IS A DREAM, performing Friday and Saturday nights May 18 – June 30 at The Building Stage, 412 N. Carpenter Street in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood.

Worlds collide as this 17th century Spanish play, set in feudAl Poland and performed in 21st century America, is staged in a dive bar rock show atmosphere inside The Building Stage. Using their devised approach, the company tackles this classic investigation of leadership, politics, public responsibility, and self-determination - just in time for election season.

Beyond the political nature of the play, Calderon was also concerned with the philosophical implications of living in a world where nothing is permanent and power is just an illusion. With just five actors masquerading as the seven major characters (as well as the scores of servants, courtiers, and soldiers) the play requires, the lines between illusion and reality are further blurred.

This life's so strange
Living it is just a dream
Everyone who lives
is only dreaming who they are til they awake.

The evening functions like a rock show at a small club or dive bar. Once doors open, guests are welcome to grab refreshments on sale at the theater, mingle, and stake their claim to a seat at the bar or in the cabaret seats. Once the live performances begin, acts of Life is a Dream will alternate with sets of live music. The live performances should last a little over 2 hours. Maintaining the club vibe, the theater will stay open for an hour after the performances.

The Building Stage is located at 412 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago, IL 60642.

This season, The Building Stage has presented the Jeff-Nominated re-working of Moby-Dick (new adaptation, director -- play , ensemble, original incidental music, artistic specialization -- percussion); a solo-performance holiday offering Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs 'A Christmas Carol'. Again.; and a lively adaptation of Hänsel und Gretel.

The Building Stage company members include: Daiva Bhandari, Chelsea Keenan, Pamela Maurer, Jon Stutzman, and Max Wirt. Blake Montgomery is the founder and Artistic Director.

Tickets are available online (www.buildingstage.com) or by calling (312) 491-1369. General Admission tickets are $22. Student tickets are available for $12. After Opening Night, performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays with event doors at 7:00pm and performance at 8:00pm through June 30, 2012. Preview performances of LIFE IS A DREAM will take place Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19 with event doors at 7:00pm and performance at 8:00pm.

General Admission tickets for all previews are $12. A limited number of tickets for Opening Night will be sold. Tickets for Opening are $30 and include performance and post-show reception. General Admission tickets for all other scheduled performances are $22. Student tickets are available for $12.

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