The public can see the award-winning excerpt on Sunday, April 17 at 7 p.m.
Jonni Pera knew she had something special when she and Traci Brant agreed to direct "The Pillowman" at Chicago Street Theatre earlier this year.
"When I finished reading the script, I was excited about the possibilities of the play," Pera said. "Then, after we put together the cast, I was thrilled by its potential. Our team did a tremendous job of making this show the best it could be."
That point was further driven home on Sunday, March 27, when Chicago Street Theatre's production of "The Pillowman" received multiple honors at the annual Indiana State Community Theatre League (ICTL) festival.
The theatre, located at 154 W. Chicago Street in Valparaiso, won best play, while Pera and Brant received the honor for best directors. Tim Gleason won best actor for his portrayal of Katurian, the lead role in the play, while Andy Urschel, who plays Ariel, took home best supporting actor. The award-winning cast is rounded out by David Pera and Josh Eggleston.
Chicago Street Theatre also won an award for excellence in technical design and production.
"The Pillowman" is a dark comedy/drama that centers around a writer named Katurian, and his brother, who live in a police state and are imprisoned and charged with murder.
The award for best play advances the production to the American Association of Community Theatre Regional Festival in Columbus, Ohio on April 30, where Chicago Street Theatre will vie for a spot at the national festival which will take place in Rochester, N.Y. in June.
Keith Martin, the Managing Director of the Richmond Ballet, served as an adjudicator at the ICTL state theatre festival, which is sponsored by the American Associated of Community Theatre (AACT).
"[Valparaiso] is blessed with an avocational theatre of the highest caliber, led by co-artistic director for "The Pillowman," Traci Brant and Jonni Pera," Martin said.
Brant said the entire cast and crew was looking forward to performing "The Pillowman" once again in Columbus.
"We are incredibly excited, and are honored by the positive response we have received for this production," she said. "Our theater is committed to telling cutting-edge stories and doing so in unique and innovative ways, and to be recognized by both our audience and our peers makes it all the more worthwhile." Chicago Street Theatre will present a performance for the public on Sunday, April 17 at 7 p.m. Running time is just under one hour. Donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of the group’s trip to the Regional Festival at the end of the month. Call the CST box office at (219) 464-1636 for tickets.
CTG’s 56th Season is made possible through the generous support of:
- Coastal Valley Water Company
- Indiana Arts Commission
- Indiana Dunes Tourism
- North Coast Distribution
- Porter County Community Foundation
- Porter County Convention, Recreation & Visitor Commission
- UFS Corporation
- Urschel Laboratories
CTG is supported, in part, by South Shore Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Photo: Cast and Crew of The Pillowman
Back row standing L-R: Caroline Rau Geldernick, John Lattuada, Andy Urschel, Kelley Weisenbacher, Tim Gleason, Vicki Zimmerman, Jonni Pera, Traci Brant, Marty Weisenbacher, Dona Henry, Eric Brant
Front row seated L-R: Jim Henry, David Pera, Kirby Thomas, Josh Eggleston