February 22–March 24
Written by Walter Mosley
Directed by Daniel Bryant
Presented by Congo Square Theatre Company
in cooperation with Pegasus
In the blink of an eye, Tempest is struck by the bullet of a police gun and finds himself at the pearly gates facing St. Peter and his judgment. Refusing to accept his eternal condition, he’s stripped of his identity and given a new body and a chance to change his fate. Alive, Tempest was no angel, but he was far from evil. The Accounting Angel, Joshua, is out to prove the scales tip toward the latter.
May 2–June 2
Written by Dana Lynn Formby
Directed by Ilesa Duncan
Formby’s new play IF YOU SPLIT A SECOND asks the question: What happens when a man makes a choice that is so devastating it explodes the lives of everyone he loves? Mick Johnson is a man who has everything but doesn’t know how to keep it: a new job promotion, promise of a home, a loving wife and two young kids. In one second he was given a choice—to give into his rage and risk it all or walk away. As Mick sits in prison with nothing but time, he recounts his decisions and watches the life of family unfold through another man’s eyes. This contemporary drama explores crime and punishment, choices and consequences and the gift/curse of family.
Playwright Formby shares, “I am fascinated in the concept that we are defined by the decisions we make. What we do in a moment can redefine who we are. Sometimes we question these decisions and when that occurs a person remains in conflict over the decision they chose to make. I am also interested in the idea that often times socioeconomic truths help create an environment in which children repeat their parent’s mistakes. They have a very difficult time escaping the repetition of the same struggles their folks had.”
The two-person drama stars Dylan McGorty and Stephanie Chavara who seamlessly transition into multiple characters.
January 3–27, 2013
The 26th edition of Pegasus’ playwriting competition for high-school-age scribes in Chicago features four exciting new short works, hand-picked and showcased in a full production as part of Pegasus’ main stage season. The second oldest such festival in the country, this annual tradition regularly receives over 500 submissions from students throughout the area. From those, up to four winning playwrights are chosen to join with professional artists to workshop and stage their scripts.
The 26th production will showcase the plays written by 2012 winners:
2012 YPF WINNERS: Stephanie Chavez – The Queen and Her Cliquedom – – Whitney Young High School – Teacher: Jim English Liza Farler – The Flood – Taft High School –Teacher: Quinton Nadig, Willa Sachs – Pinwheels – Lane Tech – Teacher: Kirsten Hanson , Daniel Swanson-Nystrom – Quick and Go – Northside College Prep – Teacher: John Hahm
Directors for The 26th Young Playwrights Festival include: Ilesa Duncan, Edward Torres, and Anna Bahow. The design team includes: Stephen H. Carmody (set), Denise Karczewski (lighting), Mieka Van Der Ploeg (costumes), Christopher Kriz (sound) and Jeff Shields (props). The ensemble cast includes Celeste Cooper, Derrick Cooper, Kristen Johnson, Kate Nawrocki, Peter Sipla, and Jordan Williams.
This program is partially supported by grants from the MacArthur Fund at Richard Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and CityArts III.
October 29–November 25
Written by Eisa Davis
Directed by TaRon Patton
Produced by Congo Square Theatre
in cooperation with Pegasus Players
At Leo Lerner Theater, Beacon Street, Chicago
Heartwarming journey of self-discovery wonderfully stage
“One day … I’m ‘n a say what I know. We can take our hate and let it open us so wide we can love anybody.”-Vera from Bulrusher
Set in Northern California in 1955 in Boonville near the Navarro River, Bulrusher unfolds as a quaint tale of self-discovery and self-identity. With a river oriented set (designed by Andrei Onegin), Eisa Davis blends the motif of the river as sanctuary with the isolation of rural folks. Playwright Davis uses the strange jargon called “Boontling” – the idiosyncratic lingo of Boonville’s long-isolated Anderson Valley folks that includes substituting labels for names. Thus Logger, Boy and Madame, Schoolch and Bulrusher refer to local folks. The first four are obvious and “bulrusher’ means foundling or illegitimate child. Once my ear tuned-in, I began to appreciate the rural lingo.