WRITERS’ THEATRE THE BRIEF CHRONICLE I S S U E SIXTEEN MARCH 2 0 0 7

1 BACH AT LEIPZIG THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ Michael Halberstam Artistic Director

0 5 ON STAGE: THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ 06 ARTISTIC CONVERSATION 09 THE SURVIVORS’ STORIES: ART OF THE HOLOCAUST Dear Friends:

11 ART AND LOSS 14 THE PUPPETMASTER’S WORKSHOP 18 DIRECTOR’S SIDEBAR I’d like to begin by welcoming our new Executive Director, Kate Lipuma, to Writers’ Theatre. Kate joins us after nine years at Signature Theatre Company in New York. More on BACKSTAGE: 20 EDUCATION 22 DONOR SPOTLIGHT 23 EVENTS 26 CELEBRATING 15 YEARS 29 IN BRIEF Kate will follow this letter and I can guarantee you that you will be hearing and seeing a lot of her in the years to come as she partners with me in leading Writers’ Theatre into another 15 years of dramatic adventures. She has the opportunity to build upon the wonderful managerial legacy created by former Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein, who left Writers’ Theatre in the fall to join Actor’s Theatre of Louisville. Also, Kate’s role has been marvelously primed by Rachel Weinstein, who valiantly stepped off of our Board and into the breach to support the company in the wake of Jennifer’s departure. Rachel has brilliantly managed the transition between leadership and added a few very welcome innovations of her own. In fact, I think I must be one of the luckiest artistic directors in the country! In a 12-month period, I will have had the fortune to partner with three of the finest women working in the industry.

In other news, I am simply bursting with excitement over the 2007/08 season we are preparing for you. As this magazine goes to print, we are still a week or so away from announcing it, but I will give you a few tidbits to tide you over. It is highly possible that we’ll be introducing you to a modern revival, a stunning literary adaptation, a charming classical comedy and a thought-provoking world premiere comedy. As usual, we will welcome back a host of favorite artists and introduce you to some of the hottest new talents on the scene. Also in the coming months, we hope to share with you news about some expanded programming that we are currently exploring.

2 BACH AT LEIPZIG 847-242-6000 | writerstheatre.org 1 The pages of this magazine, as usual, are filled with doorways into the world of a most exciting drama that is about to explode onto our stage at the bookstore. In keeping with our Welcome Kate! tradition of introducing you to new talent from within the Chicago theatre community, I am pleased to welcome Jimmy McDermott to our family of directors. Some of you have already had the pleasure of seeing snippets of his fiery taste and talent in his excellent programs Kathryn M. Lipuma prepared for our Annual Garden Party and for a number of commissioned entertainments. Executive Director The more adventurous of you theatregoers may have caught his excellent production of Salome at the side project theatre company in Rogers Park last year. For his Writers’ Theatre debut, Jimmy has collaborated with another remarkable artist, puppetry designer Michael Montenegro. You enjoyed just a shade of Michael’s work in The Duchess of Malfi last season. He has a very specific and visceral gift for animating his puppets that, in turn, become magical sculptural vessels into which you can pour your dreams and waking imaginations. This production is going to be a very unique and deeply moving experience. I hope you enjoy reading about it.

So, I’ll stop chattering on and invite you in. See you at the bookstore very soon! The Board of Trustees, staff and artists Yours, of Writers’ Theatre would like to welcome Kate Lipuma as our Executive Director.

“I am so excited to be returning to Chicago as the new Michael Halberstam Executive Director of Writers’ Theatre. I am deeply grateful Artistic Director and honored by this appointment and I am especially thrilled to partner with Michael Halberstam, the Board of Trustees and Writers’ incredible staff and artists. I look forward to re-immersing myself in this vibrant, very generous Chicago arts community and being a part of Writers’ exciting future.” KATE LIPUMA

Kate joins Writers’ Theatre from the award-winning Signature Theatre Company in New York where she served as Executive Director. In her nine seasons with the company, she worked with such acclaimed writers as Edward Albee, Lee Blessing, Horton Foote, Maria Irene Fornes, John Guare, Bill Irwin, Romulus Linney, Paula Vogel, August Wilson and Lanford Wilson and produced 28 productions, including this year’s award-winning revivals of Horton Foote’s The Trip to Bountiful and August Wilson’s Seven Guitars.

As Signature’s chief operating and administrative officer, Lipuma directed the company through several milestones during her tenure, and its numerous awards

2 3 and accolades include recognition as Outstanding National Theatre of the Year March 13 – July 8, 2007 in 2003. Most recently, Lipuma was responsible for overseeing Signature’s Performed at 664 Vernon Avenue strategic business and operations plans for the creation of a new, multi-venue performing arts center located at the redeveloped World Trade Center site, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Out of more than 120 finalists, After escaping from Auschwitz, Finkelbaum, a once-revered Signature was the only theatre company in the world selected to participate in puppetmaster, has barricaded himself in an attic. Now 1950, he this historic project. is not convinced that the war is over and sees any attempt to lure him out as merely a ruse to recapture him. In an attempt to This year, in partnership with Signature Artistic Director James Houghton, she co-created Signature’s 15th Anniversary $15 Ticket Program, a groundbreaking bring back his lost family, he prepares for his greatest puppet ticket initiative that reduced full-price tickets to every performance by 70%. In the show ever – the story of his life. Ultimately hopeful, moving and ongoing effort to increase accessibility to the arts, the $15 Program has seen eminently theatrical, this beautifully articulated story will enjoy rewarding results, with its productions playing to 107% capacity, with more than heightened poignancy upon our stage. 50% of audiences identified as first-time ticket buyers.

Lipuma has consulted with not-for-profit theatres, hosted fundraising seminars for development professionals from across the country and has been a guest THE lecturer on arts management in the graduate programs at New York University and at Marymount Manhattan College. She has served on numerous arts and funding panels, including the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Philadelphia Theatre Institute for the Pew Charitable Trust. PUPPETMASTER Prior to moving to New York City, she spent six years with the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. She is a graduate of the George Washington University in Washington, OF LODZ D.C., where she received her B.A. in radio and television broadcasting. BY GILLES SÉGAL TRANSLATED BY SARA O’CONNOR DIRECTED BY JIMMY MCDERMOTT

THE CAST SCENIC DESIGN “They say if you want to, Jennifer Avery Keith Pitts John Hoogenakker COSTUME DESIGN you can. If you absolutely Debbie Baer Larry Neumann, Jr. LIGHTING DESIGN want to believe, you can Steve Ratcliff Ben Spicer always find a way.” PUPPETRY DESIGN Michael Montenegro SOUND DESIGN FINKELBAUM Josh Schmidt THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ PROPERTIES DESIGN Lara Musard DRAMATURGY Martha Wade Steketee STAGE MANAGEMENT Rose Marie Packer 4 RTO: Its understanding of how artists said, “I don’t understand what it means, and we ourselves try to change actuality but it sounds funny, so go ahead.” I by creating a fictional world that tells our also had the advantage of working ARTISTIC story as we wish it to be. How suffering directly with a director and a fine cast of does not impede humor - the play is so actors, so it helped me hear how things rich with humor. Heartbreaking, yes. sounded when actually said, not just in Heavy, no. my head.

CONVERSATION JM: That’s an excellent note to take into JM: When this play premiered in the rehearsal. In the act of translating this U.S. at MRT in 1988, you were the Reverend Tonen O’Connor translated Gilles Ségal’s work, what was your chief priority? organization’s Managing Director. A The Puppetmaster of Lodz from the original French translator/producer must have an nearly two decades ago. She was then known as RTO: To accurately translate a voice uncommonly vested interest in the Sara O’Connor, Managing Director of Milwaukee from another language into my own, play’s success. How did you balance Repertory Theater (MRT). Director and Writers’ while injecting as little of myself into this unique dynamic? Theatre Artistic Associate Jimmy McDermott recently it as possible. In this case, it seemed spoke with Reverend O’Connor at Milwaukee Zen Center where she serves as the resident priest. She ITS UNDERSTANDING OF HOW ARTISTS Reverend Tonen graciously agreed to a rare interview about the play, O’Connor her career in the arts and her spiritual path. AND WE OURSELVES TRY TO Jimmy McDermott: How did you enthralled. I asked if I could meet Gilles first encounter Gilles Ségal’s Le and was so impressed with his play Marionettiste de Lodz? Was it in print or that I was nervous about doing so. The in performance? long and short of it is that we met and I received his permission to translate his CHANGE ACTUALITY Reverend Tonen O’Connor: I had play and, over time, we became friends BY CREATING A FICTIONAL WORLD THAT TELLS OUR STORY AS WE WISH IT TO BE translated The Workroom by Jean and I translated more of his work. easy because I felt such an affinity RTO: The play was chosen for production Claude Grumberg for production at the with Finkelbaum and his project to by the Artistic Director. I had a vested MRT and was working on a translation JM: What was it about the play that challenge God. interest only in its success in reaching of a couple of his short plays. On a compelled you to bring it to an English- and moving an audience. The issue of visit to Paris, Grumberg gave me a copy speaking audience? JM: How do you address certain success in terms of financial success of Le Marionettiste de Lodz and I was idiomatic expressions that may not did not enter into the choice. As a translate directly between the languages Managing Director, my philosophy was or even the cultures? always to support the choices of the LODZ FACT: LODZ FACT: LODZ FACT: Artistic Director and try to interest the Lodz, the second largest city The Polish pronunciation Poland was invaded by RTO: In the case of working with Gilles, audience in seeing what we thought was in Poland, was chartered in is “wootch.” The city is also Germany on September 1423 and has had a Jewish known as Lodzh (in Yiddish), 1,1939, leading to this was eased by his reasonable worth producing, rather than producing presence since 1780. By Lodsch (in German) and the French and British understanding of English, which allowed what we thought they’d like just to be 1939, it had the second was renamed Litzmannstadt declarations of war largest Jewish population by the Germans from 1939 against Germany. On me to check my choices with him. assured that they would come. In fact, in Europe. until 1945. September 17, 1939, I remember on one occasion, while this latter is unpredictable and a silly the Soviet Union invaded working with another of his plays, he way to proceed. We were chasing art, Poland from the east.

THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ: ARTISTIC CONVERSATION 7 not bucks, although of course one RTO: Zen has few tenets but it needs bucks to chase art. I just worried embraces the attitude that we are all in about getting the words right. (And the this together. My work with the prison play drew packed houses.) groups began eight years ago when THE SURVIVORS’ STORIES: an inmate wrote to the Milwaukee Zen JM: In 1994, you were ordained a Zen Center with some questions. I visited ART OF THE HOLOCAUST Buddhist priest. What led you from a him and the rest is history. I now serve BY MARTHA STEKETEE 40-year career in arts administration to Buddhist groups in nine state prisons your current vocation? on a monthly basis. Buddhism is for Arts of all kinds survived and even thrived in the concentration camps created and managed by Germany’s Third Reich. As early as 1941, Curt Daniel wrote of this in an article for Theatre Arts entitled “Theatre in the German Concentration Camps.” THERE IS NO “US” OR “THEM.” “The nature and extent of this theatre,” he writes, “varies in direct relation to the conditions prevailing in a particular camp.” A range of theatre existed – formal to RTO: The external event was the illicit, political to non-political and even cabaret performances. As Daniel noted in MRT’s active exchange program with 1941, “When at some future but unknowable date not too far distant the ghastly Japanese theater companies that often system of Hitler and his several hundred thousand hangmen has been destroyed, IT’S ALL . the great art of the Concentration Camps will come out into full daylight and be took me to Japan, where I stumbled upon Zen Buddhism, something about people. Those outside the walls and recorded as one of man’s great achievements in adversity.” which I had no previous knowledge. those inside the walls are people. The link between the two is empathy. I That future date has come. In 2002, an important archive, repository and spent 40 years in the theater trying to JM: Finkelbaum, in a sense, lives exhibition containing images and essays was created by and displayed at encourage audiences to feel empathy in a self-imposed prison even after Northwestern University’s Block Museum of Art before traveling to other for situations that were often outside presumably escaping Birkenau. Do museums. Luckily for the world, the riches of this exhibit remain as an online their direct personal experience and you draw any similarities between visual and intellectual resource titled The Last Expression: Art and Auschwitz at yet spoke of the human condition. I the prisoners you regularly encounter http://lastexpression.northwestern.edu/. once titled an evening of Jean-Claude and Finkelbaum? Grumberg’s short plays, Them, because it spoke of those most dangerous of RTO: No more than I draw similarities WHAT’S MOST MOVING ABOUT IT IS THE all words: “us” and “them.” Buddhism between Finkelbaum and any of us who speaks of the interdependence of all live imprisoned by our own illusions, beings and reminds us that there is inside the cage of our mind. Whether no “us” or “them.” It’s all WE. So the physically incarcerated or not, the transition was completely natural and highest prison walls may be those that only mysterious to those who have the keep us from seeing reality as it is. UNEMOTIONAL mistaken idea that Zen Buddhism is OF ITS REPORTING exotic, unknowable to Western minds JM: Of your time in creating and and too Asian to be understood. This is facilitating art, what would you mark as DAILYNESS simply not true. your greatest achievement? The New York Times reviewer Grace Guleck noted, “What’s most moving about it is JM: I have read that you spend a good RTO: It was all satisfying, as is any the unemotional dailyness of its reporting, the fact that the artists who experienced deal of time visiting with inmates in creation. I don’t think in terms of greater the camps’ indignities and atrocities firsthand indulged in few polemics (unless prison. Is this a tenet of Zen practice or or lesser. satire qualifies). Usually, they simply recorded what they saw.” more of a personal calling?

THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ: ART OF THE HOLOCAUST 9 INDIVIDUALS USED ART TO EXPRESS THEIR OWN LIVES, ART AND LOSS The major concentration camps developed a complex structure of subsidiary camps (e.g., Buchenwald had at least 133 subsidiary camps, Dachau 168). Auschwitz Samuel Finkelbaum, the title character in The Puppetmaster of Lodz, grew into the largest German concentration camp. Across the camps, individuals retreats from the painful reality of his past into his artistic vocation. used art to express their own lives, their own pain, their own humanity either voluntarily (those fine artists who scavenged scraps to sketch their neighbors) or His grief is the direct inspiration for his puppetry. In turn, we asked our involuntarily (forced into theatrical performances or musical groups). Essays in The gifted cast to share some of their thoughts on the relationship between Last Expression: Art from Auschwitz outline art, artists, a museum at Auschwitz, personal loss and their own process. music and theatre among other topics. Auschwitz functions as a symbolic and historical focus for this exhibition, the website and the exhibit catalog, providing a focal theme to connect individuals of many nationalities and backgrounds. The art Larry Neumann, Jr. presented was created primarily at Auschwitz, but also includes other sites, such We had our second rehearsal for They all Fall Down: The as Theresienstadt, Buchenwald, Gurs and the Lodz Ghetto. Richard Nickel Story on 9/11 and I vividly remember how the cast and production team, after watching the news reports, collectively decided to end the rehearsal day and start again tomorrow. And, as the enormity of this tragedy overwhelmed us, this story of one lonely THEIR OWN PAIN, man’s struggle to preserve the great architecture of his city took on a resonance and a spirit within myself More than 200 artists of all nationalities were imprisoned at Auschwitz with more that continues with me today...the spirit to continue. than 150 being Polish artists arrested for resistance activities (see Sybil Milton’s essay “Artists at Auschwitz”). Guido Fackler’s “‘This music is infernal...’: Music in Auschwitz” essay chillingly illustrates how music was exploited to terrorize prisoners as part of camp arrival and departure rituals, confronting every resident of the camps. Prisoners were forced to sing on command, organized singing groups were assembled and prisoner bands and orchestras were convened. The orchestra in the women’s camp at Birkenau has been publicized from Fania Fenelon’s memoirs, translated to the screen as the 1980 movie Playing for Time. As noted John Hoogenakker above, as early as 1941, commentators remarked on the existence of theatre in Seldom have I used anything as specific as the the concentration camps. Rebecca Rovit adds to this literature with her essay substitution of a real-life occurrence to help flesh “Theatrical Performance at Auschwitz-Birkenau.” out a role, but I have certainly drawn solace from the fact that, more often than not, the roles we play on Artistic expression in the camps was on its surface perhaps absurd and cruel to stage are those of human beings in crisis. Through the prisoners, yet it could also have been the one means to express the yearnings the realization and performing of these roles, we are of the human spirit. ourselves reminded of certain bonds that all human beings share: those of pain and joy. It is my hope that the trials of my personal life inform the trials of the lives I bring to the stage and that they, in turn, strike a THEIR OWN chord with the viewer. The shared experience of pain, and of joy, throughout all humankind has always been a comfort to me where other remedies have failed. HUMANITY THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ: ART AND LOSS 11 Jennifer Avery Steve Ratcliff For me, the theatre has always served every trip was potentially the last, which Fourteen years ago, my girlfriend at the personal journey to honor the Paula that as a safe place to express and release put me in a heightened emotional state. time died suddenly from complications I knew and loved, and to say goodbye to emotion both as an actor and an I battled with a lot of issues during this related to breast cancer treatment. We her. I edited and published a book of audience member. I think, at its best, time – should I quit the play and spend had planned to spend the rest of our lives memories. I put together 50 handmade the theatre can be a place where more time in Florida? Is it selfish for together. It was the most devastating books, each unique, with letters, we as audience and performers can me to stay in Chicago and remain in the thing that had happened to me in my pictures, artwork, poetry, song lyrics collectively share a story, and, through production? Can I put the feelings that life. At the time, I was working in the and anecdotes – words and pictures that shared theatrical event, experience I’m having into my performance or is corporate world – I had not yet made that expressed our love and the grief I a kind of emotional catharsis. that self-indulgent? I did stay in Chicago the leap into acting. On a sweltering felt as a result of my loss. Nine months to do the play, at the urging of my family, June day, I sat on my front stoop waiting to the day of Paula’s death, I bound the Many years ago, I was in the midst of and I made a conscious decision to for my sister to pick me up and drive first book. After sitting down and reading performing a show in Chicago, while in put those feelings into my work, which me to Paula’s funeral. I was totally adrift. the first book cover to cover, I realized Florida, my grandfather was very sick afforded me an opportunity to deepen I had just lost my best friend and the that I was an artist. I had found a way of and in the hospital. I was flying back and strengthen my performance and to love of my life. I did not understand all outwardly expressing the emotions I felt and forth, as time allowed, although dedicate my work to a man who has had the emotions swirling around inside me. inside. I had become the person that having committed to the play made it a profound impact on my life. I am so I felt so inadequate, unable to express I envied nine months earlier. Little did I hard for me to get there as much as I grateful that I had a safe haven in which what I was experiencing. As I sat there realize that my journey had only begun. wanted. I felt torn and really guilty about to put all these feelings and am looking trying to make sense of life, I came to not visiting more. As my grandfather’s forward to exploring the theme as we a realization – artists have a unique gift Over the next four years, I would search health declined, it became clear that work on The Puppetmaster of Lodz. in that they have the ability to translate for my passion. Passion was one of the personal emotion into public art. They many things Paula taught me. I finally have the gift to express feelings. found my passion in acting. Standing Whether the artist is a sculptor, a writer, in front of my bathroom mirror on a a musician, a painter or an actor. At January morning in 1999, I looked deep that moment I longed to be an artist, into my eyes and said out loud for the LODZ FACT: LODZ FACT: LODZ FACT: so I could find an outlet to express my first time, “I am an actor.” The journey German occupiers closed Lodz (the province and its A Jewish ghetto was sadness, my loss, my grief. from that hot summer day sitting on high schools and universities, capital city) is located in created by secret plundered Polish cultural the center of Europe and memorandum on December my front stoop trying to come to grips treasures, began mass the center of Poland. At the 10, 1939, to concentrate A sudden death does not afford you with the grief of losing Paula to the day arrests and executions outbreak of World War II, the otherwise scattered and established a network the city population was nearly Jewish citizens of Lodz, and the opportunity to say goodbye. And I declared my passion for acting was a of concentration camps 700,000, with an estimated the order was announced the ritualized structure of the funeral long journey. But it was a very rewarding composed of work camps 230,000 Jewish citizens, February 8, 1940. The did not meet my need to say goodbye journey that has enriched my life. And it and execution camps. Some the second largest Jewish area was fenced in April three million Polish Jews population in Poland at 1940, and on May 1, the to Paula. So I embarked on my own is not yet over. perished in the gas chambers that time. ghetto was officially sealed of Auschwitz, Majdanek and and became the longest THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ: ART AND LOSS 13 Treblinka death camps. existing Polish Ghetto. Early on in my life I was interested in When I was seven or eight years old, three different art forms. I felt like I I had the passionate desire to build a was being a jack-of-all-trades by not steam engine. I had noticed a picture committing myself to only one form. in a book or something. And I would But eventually I decided that this was have been very happy if I had been able my particular character. The different to build a working steam engine. But aspects of each art form satisfied since I didn’t have the technical ability, different parts of me. Now I am beginning I settled for the appearance of a steam to see that it’s all one voice. I find it very engine in its crazy contraption quality, DESIGNER INSIGHT: THE PUPPETMASTER’S WORKSHOP The puppetry of painter, sculptor and puppeteer Michael Montenegro most recently appeared onstage in Argonautika at Lookingglass Theatre under the direction of Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman. Last season, he designed and built figures for The Long Christmas Ride Home at Next Theatre and The interesting – the relationship – because and I think I fell in love with the idea of Duchess of Malfi on our own stage. The theatrical when I am developing puppet theatre, building things out of whatever I could demands of The Puppetmaster of Lodz naturally I am also thinking as a painter, and find. As a child, I just remember a real obviously as a sculptor. Puppets are, passion for making things and I think I provided Writers’ Theatre with an opportunity for after all, kinetic sculptures. In painting, never lost that. At a certain point, in my a much more specific collaboration with this most there is something about the icon, or late teens or early twenties, I began to particular artist. Michael recently invited Director the tableau, that has an influence on my build puppets and was very interested Jimmy McDermott into his Evanston studio to share work in puppet theatre. As far as puppet in what you might call “realism.” But theatre influencing my painting, I really I was never attracted to the quality of some works in progress, the materials he selects to don’t know. I’m sure it does. refinement because, personally, I think construct them and the philosophy that holds them things lose a sense of their aliveness, together, as photographed here by Artistic Director their richness, when they’re too polished. Michael Halberstam. THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ: THE PUPPETMASTER’S WORKSHOP 15 So, to a certain degree, I have always cars mostly. They often have a dreamlike been comfortable with a certain crude quality, especially in combination with quality that you might see in folk art, each other; little pieces of metal that outsider art. In those early years, I really have been twisted and flattened. They wasn’t aware of any art movements so are flattened-out pieces of our culture much as I was happy to use what I had and make a strange statement. Simply, around locally to build what I wanted to the shape and the color attract me. Like build. And I guess as I got older, I began little pieces of accidental jewelry. Some to realize the artistic value in that. Found of these objects make their way into objects could perform metaphorically for puppet anatomy. other things. Often, puppets are made to be beautiful I began to collect little objects that but end up being ineffective as moving had a certain numinous quality, as I figures. Or they’re built to do everything cloth, an old rag, and imitate life with that So, that phenomenon is a human game, understand it. Numinous, to me, means and, consequently, they can’t do anything old rag, and create beautiful puppetry. a psychological game, that we play something that has an otherworldly very well. I think, essentially, in terms of One of my endeavors in this production related to puppet theatre. quality that, perhaps, we project puppet theatre, these fail. To me, the is to build a puppet that, without even upon the object. I find these objects, essence of puppetry is movement first. moving, possesses an innate quality of In reading this play, there’s something sometimes in the street, run over by That means you can pick up a piece of “aliveness.” That’s pretty tricky. kind of sad about the fact that Finkelbaum, as a human being, has From childhood on, I’ve experienced to resort to recreating his life the way the phenomenon of walking into a dark he does. He’s surviving, which is a room or waking up in a dark room, remarkable thing, and he’s surviving by noticing, out of the corner of my eye, a being creative, but there’s something coat thrown over a chair in such a way incredibly tragic in that he has to do it in that it suggests a human being. It’s very a secondhand way as opposed to living startling. I think this is pretty much a the life that he lost. You might compare universal experience. This form is lifelike it to Van Gogh. Here was a man who and you are really frightened in the semi- had been cut off, or cut himself off, from dark. Your eyes very quickly discern the life. By doing that, or because of it, he fact that it is only a coat. The strange poured all of his incredible vitality into thing is that once you calm down from an artificial life, into a two-dimensional that experience, you play with the idea life: paintings. Even in his letters, he and actually recreate the phenomenon, sometimes lamented the fact that his which has almost the same stimulating, life had boiled down to this. In a way, it’s frightening effect, although you know a two-edged sword. There’s something that it’s just a coat. desperately wonderful, yet surely tragic about it.

– MICHAEL MONTENEGRO

16 BACH AT LEIPZIG: DESIGNER INSIGHT THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ: THE PUPPETMASTER’S WORKSHOP 17 1944 –andtheorder was deportations occurred. The occurred. deportations death camp.Bythefirst delivered forthenew Chelmo summonseswere deportation complete by August1944. Ghetto was orderedby 6,On January 1942, thefirst Heinrich Himmler onJune10, LODZ FACT: LODZ final liquidationoftheLodz week ofApril, almost45,000 DIRECTOR’S SIDEBAR JIMMY MCDERMOTT, DIRECTOR THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ He livesinChicagowithhiswife, Marsha. DePaul where wasMichael University Halberstam one of his instructors. a decade ago to obtain his M.F.A. in directing from The Theatre School at A native Chicagoan, Jimmy spent most of his youth in Florida. He returned present aweek’s plays inOctoberof2007. oftheseshort worth 2002, Ms. Parks wrote one play a day for a full year. Writers’ Theatre will the of part as Theatre Writers’ at Parks Suzan-Lori by plays seven overseeing include projects Upcoming times sinceitsinceptionin2000. kthok etvl f hr pas wih a faue hs ok five work his featured has which plays, annual short Collaboraction’s of festival and Sketchbook Hypocrites The for productions include adapted from the Stephen Crane novella by Adam Webster. Other credits 19, 1945, Soviets liberated and imported individualswho and imported resided thereduringthewar. 877 ofthe255,000Jews LODZ FACT: LODZ Five monthslater,Five January the ghettoandfoundonly and Jam rsn a Unmd Love-Suicide, Unnamed an Present include credits directing his where Chicago, in company theatre project side the with member company a director.is a He as moonlighting while dayby healthcare in worked then,Jimmy to Prior 2005. in Assistant Artistic the as staff Theatre Writers’ the joined He Carol, byperformed Michael Halberstam. our 11th annual production of Jimmy most McDermott recently directed Elephant Man, experiment. In experiment. Plays Days/365 365 age A il f h Streets, the of Girl A Maggie: Salome, Sweet Pretty Love Today, 1.2millionpeople and almost70%livein LODZ FACT: LODZ live intheLodzprovince the capitalcity. The 4th Graders Graders 4th The A Christmas The

WHAT’S HAPPENING BACKSTAGE AT WRITERS’ THEATRE Recent Residencies Exploring Myth At EDUCATION New Trier High School, Winnetka Glencoe District 35 After studying Homer’s The Odyssey in After-School Program English class, members of the freshman This fall, Writers’ Theatre offered class participated as actors, writers, four classes in the Glencoe District assistant directors and technicians for BRING WRITERS’ THEATRE TO YOUR SCHOOL! 35 school system – one class each an original piece, Journey into a Dream: at South and West School and two A Hero’s Journey for the 21st Century. classes at Central. Students learned Support was provided by parents of the Writers’ Theatre created an environment theatre techniques and storytelling by New Trier Fine Arts Association. that stimulated the imagination, playing theatre games and studying promoted self-expression and nurtured improvisation and creative writing. Each Time Travelling At an appreciation and love of literature. class included a final presentation for Glencoe’s West School Their unique literature-based program parents, where the students presented Using people and events from Illinois’s used stories as a launching point their original works. Support was history, each 3rd grade classroom for creative drama. Students were provided by the Glencoe District 35 PTO. wrote a short play in the style of a challenged to retain information specific historical era. More than 120 and use it in new ways. The feedback Northbrook District 28 students used drama to illustrate their from students, parents and staff After-School Kid Care knowledge of Illinois’s past, thanks to was tremendous. In collaboration with the District the support of West School’s Parent Teacher Organization. LAUREN BONDY, PARENT, 28 Kid Care program, Writers’ MEADOWBROOK SCHOOL Theatre offers after-school creative drama classes focusing on reading, To start a Residency Program imagination and performance. We at your school, please contact The Writers’ Theatre • clearly organized, well-articulated currently serve students in 1st-5th Director of Education LaRonika ideas have the power to change grade at Meadowbrook, Westmoor and Thomas at 847-242-6007 In-School Residency communities; Greenbriar Schools in Northbrook. or [email protected]. Program • creative thinking leads to a deeper understanding of the world around Offered to schools and Parent Teacher them; and Organizations, the Writers’ Theatre • trust, tolerance, cooperation and Thank you for spending time with our Residency Program is an in-school the acceptance of others are vital class on making our Illinois play. It was educational program where subjects components in the success of very fun to do those cool exercises. covered in English, History and the any project. I would love to do these kinds of plays Social Sciences are further explored every year! in a theatrical context. Through a Our teaching artists work directly combination of writing, performance with the school’s faculty to create THANK YOU LETTER FROM A 3RD GRADE STUDENT, WEST SCHOOL and team-building exercises, the lesson plans that complement the Residency Program illustrates to existing curriculum. Residencies can students that: last anywhere from a few days to several months.

20 EDUCATION DONOR SPOTLIGHT EVENTS

The Carol Marks Jacobsohn Foundation Caviar & Conversation

On January 10, 2007, Writers’ Theatre Glencoe School Administrators were very impressed presented the 3rd Annual Caviar & with the array of classes that Writers’ Theatre can offer Conversation. More than 80 members of our students. Thank you for your patience, good humor the Director’s Society joined the evening’s and creative planning. You’re promoting the best guests of honor, the director and cast drama education anyone could possibly offer! Thanks of Bach at Leipzig, for a champagne and for your good work. caviar reception, offering this dedicated

JAY HOWE, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF CURRICULUM group of patrons the unique opportunity to AT GLENCOE PUBLIC SCHOOLS talk to the artists one on one. Following the reception, Artistic Director Michael Halberstam led a lively conversation about The beautiful, bronze sculpture in the more than 1,350 students. Eight the ephemeral nature of comedy. Bach at inner-lobby of the Tudor Court Theatre is additional residencies are scheduled for Leipzig cast members Ross Lehman, Rob entitled “Circle of Life.” It was created this spring. Lindley, John Reeger, Tim Rock, Jonathan by the late Carol Marks Jacobsohn, a Weir, Larry Yando and director Nick long-time supporter of Writers’ Theatre. Through their interaction, teaching Bowling shared their thoughts about what Carol was an accomplished artist and artists and participants experience it takes to make an audience laugh. These believed strongly that children benefit firsthand the transformative power of gifted comedians gave the audience greatly from the self expression that theatre and self-expression, gaining a an early glimpse into the creation and arts encourage. With this in mind, the deeper appreciation of literature and challenges of Bach at Leipzig. Foundation named in Carol’s honor improving their collaborative skills. provided Writers’ Theatre with the necessary resources to launch our Through these programs and the launch For more information about the Director’s arts education programming initiative. of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Society and to learn how you can join Writers’ Theatre is profoundly grateful to Rights – a program aimed to give the civil us for other upcoming exclusive behind- the Carol Marks Jacobsohn Foundation rights movement relevance to today’s the-scenes events, please contact for its role as the largest contributor to youth – we hope to make an impact on Development Manager Lindsey Becker our arts education programming, with the communities that have made an at 847-242-6012. gifts totaling $50,000. impact on us. We believe, like Carol From top to bottom: 1. Trustee Lorel McMillan, did, that arts education programming Nancy & Ronald Semerdjian and Gail Hodges; Writers’ Theatre educational programs makes a positive difference in the 2. Board of Trustees President Chris Knight and help bring to life important ideas that lives of children. We are grateful for Bach at Leipzig actor Jonathan Weir; 3. Jean London, Jan Tranen and Trustee Bruce Tranen; are being discussed in class and the significant support the Carol Marks 4. Bach at Leipzig actor Larry Yando and Trustee complement the curriculum already Jacobsohn Foundation has provided, Carol Dawley being used by teachers. Writers’ Theatre and it is our hope that our partnership has22 DONOR already SPOTLIGHT held 19 residencies, serving will continue well into the future. EVENTS 23 currently starring as Nixon in Frost/ Tour to The Stratford Nixon. Participants also enjoyed a conversation with Jeffrey Dench Festival who is currently playing in The Merry June 28 – July 1, 2007 Wives of Windsor: the Musical with Join artistic director Michael EVENTS his sister, famed actress Judi Dench. Halberstam and Chicago Tribune While the group gave mixed reviews former Chief Theatre Critic Richard to the musical, all agreed that the Christiansen on a delightful and conversation with Mr. Dench was a exhilarating trip to The Stratford The 2006/07 London Tour wonderful and enriching experience. Festival in Ontario, Canada.

A former Stratford Festival company member himself (1990, 1991), Michael invites you on this magnificent Shakespearean adventure, which continues Writers’ Theatre’s 12-year tradition of excellent performing arts tours around the world.

The trip includes airfare, all transfers, accommodations at The Queen’s Inn, gourmet meals at three award-winning restaurants, visits with the stars, seminars and best available tickets to Shakespeare’s Will;, The Blonde, Joan Copeland and actor Jeffery Dench. Artistic Director Michael Halberstam, actor Frank Langella View of the London Eye from the north bank of the PHOTO BY MICHAEL HALBERSTAM. and Richard Christensen, former Chief Theatre Critic for the Thames. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HALBERSTAM. Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead; Chicago Tribune. PHOTO BY LINDSEY BECKER. King Lear; and The Merchant of Venice.

For reservations, please call For eight nights, the Waldorf Hotel through seminars, discussions and During their eight days abroad, tour Development Manager Lindsey Becker London became home to the 33 exclusive meetings with artists. participants were also busy soaking at 847-242-6012. Only 22 places globe trekkers on the annual Writers’ The tour’s opening-day seminar up the history and sights of London. Theatre New Year’s London Tour. The was led by London’s Chief Theatre available – reservations must be The group celebrated New Year’s Eve group set out to take in the latest Critic from The Guardian, Michael received by March 31! with a gourmet dinner at the Waldorf, offerings of the London stage scene, Billington. Mr. Billington discussed followed by a champagne toast in a including Peter Morgan’s Frost/Nixon, trends he has observed in London Upcoming Events suite overlooking the midnight fireworks a dramatization of the David Frost theatre and gave the group a preview display over the Thames. They were Please mark your calendar for these and Richard Nixon interviews, which of the performances they would be also granted early entrance to the Tate upcoming special events. For more almost everyone agreed was the best attending. The remaining seminars Britain before the waiting crowd and information about these events, of the six productions seen on the tour. were show-focused, led by our own treated to a private tour of the exhibit please contact Development Manager Other highlights included the new Tom theatre experts, Richard Christensen, featuring the work of Hans Holbein, the Lindsey Becker at 847-242-6012. Stoppard play Rock ‘n’ Roll and the the former Chief Theatre Critic of the official court painter of Henry VIII. edgy Don Juan in Soho, a contemporary Chicago Tribune, and Writers’ Theatre A good time was had by all and plans May 8, 2007 take on the Molière classic, written by Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. are already underway for next year’s Open Rehearsal: Othello Patrick Marber. tour. To receive information regarding The group was very fortunate to meet Director’s Society & 100% Club future tour opportunities, please The theatre-goers were able to with Frank Langella, accomplished contact Development Manager Lindsey delve deeper into their experience actor of stage and screen, who is July 15, 2007 Becker at 847-242-6012. Annual Garden Party 24 EVENTS Director’s Society ANTON CHEKHOV G.B. SHAW WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE We opened the theatre with Perhaps our most produced and Richard II was performed in our CELEBRATING three adapted short stories in most successful playwright at fifth season and Othello will soon Love & Lunacy and returned to the Box Office. Productions have be in rehearsal. As his canon the master to adapt three of his included Arms and the Man, lives at the center of the literary vaudevilles in Marriage & Bears, The Doctor’s Dilemma, Misalliance universe, it is only proper to 15 YEARS and, finally, the world premiere and Candida. celebrate him now. of Curt Columbus’s acclaimed OF THE translation of Seagull.

WORD AND CURT COLUMBUS & NOEL COWARD TENNESSEE WILLIAMS MARILYN CAMPBELL Private Lives directed by Michael The Glass Menagerie exploded With the realization of our first Halberstam was a turning point the success of Writers’ Theatre THE ARTIST commission, this award-winning for Writers’ Theatre and brought (as started by Private Lives) team brought us one of our most William Brown and Shannon into a whole new realm. Scott successful productions to date Cochran to our stage for the Parkinson, Susan Hart, P. J. Powers in Crime and Punishment. Marilyn first time. and Jenny Friedmann triumphed has alone been responsible for under William Brown’s superb and 15 PLAYWRIGHTS OF a prolific output of adaptations revelatory direction. WRITERS’ THEATRE seen in every area of our programming. A wonderfully eclectic list, the following represent playwrights who have made a contribution to the success of Writers’ Theatre in many capacities, including direct BRETT NEVEU JOHN OSBORNE JOE ORTON involvement with the company, the This local lad is gently achieving Look Back in Anger seared onto our Internationally acclaimed and shaping of the art form as a whole international renown and we are stage in a gripping revival directed award-winning director Gary and building the future of theatre. proud to acknowledge him as the by Michael Halberstam. Actors Griffin directed the revival of Loot, recipient of the first commission Jenn Dede and Tom Clarke fell in which made then-retiring Chicago We have enjoyed our experiences from our newly defined Literary love during the production and Tribune Theatre Critic Richard with these playwrights and look Development Initiative. married soon after. Christiansen’s pick of top theatre forward to future collaborations experiences of all time. with them and more of yesterday’s, today’s and tomorrow’s great

playwrights. SHOW TITLE 27 ARTHUR MILLER AUSTIN PENDLETON William Brown’s direction of the Austin was featured in his own rarely seen classic Incident at play Booth about legendary father Vichy created an unprecedented and son actors Junius and Edwin demand for tickets. David Cromer Booth, directed by David Cromer IN BRIEF later directed an award-winning just prior to his off-broadway production of The Price. During triumph with Pendleton’s the run of Incident at Vichy, a fax magnificent work, Orson’s Shadow. was received from Miller reading, “Congratulations and thank you. Looks like you got it right!”

TOM STOPPARD WILLIAM INGE Only one Stoppard play has made Writers’ Theatre revived the it to our stages so far, with our highly acclaimed Bus Stop, bright and cheery production of directed by Steppenwolf Rough Crossing, a respite from ensemble member Rick Snyder, the invasion of Iraq that was in which initiated the revival of two full swing in every other area of more Inge plays around Chicago the media. We hope to visit the the following season. masterful wordsmith again, but his Mark Your Calendars! casts tend to be epic – a challenge From Page To Stage - Othello in our theatres. He’s still one of our favorites. In the Writers’ Theatre tradition of bringing our patrons closer to the arts, we will again be partnering with numerous North Shore libraries for our second annual “From Page to Stage” program. Through the presentation of Othello, special receptions, discussions, give-aways and more, the program will enhance your experience and allow exclusive access to the art. Presentations will be held at EVAN SMITH CHAIM POTOK & libraries throughout the North Shore every Thursday beginning May 3rd and will continue throughout the run of Othello. The Uneasy Chair is easily one of AARON POSNER the wittiest contemporary scripts We were thrilled with Shade On May 3, please join us for a special kick-off event at our theatre at 325 ever written. Look for more from Murray’s production of The Tudor Court in partnership with the Glencoe Public Library. Join Artistic Smith on our stage in the near Chosen, which broke all Writers’ Director Michael Halberstam and actors James Vincent Meredith (Othello) future. He is alive and kicking and Theatre box office records and and John Judd (Iago) for a look at the process of bringing the play to life. brimming with ideas. extended for four weeks, currently The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m. the highest-grossing and longest- running production in Writers’ For more information about all the events, please visit www.frompagetostage.org. Theatre history.

28 BACH AT LEIPZIG IN BRIEF 29 in the financial services industry for in Northbrook. His love for theater IN BRIEF more than 15 years and is currently started as a young child when his a Vice President of Investments and parents brought him to shows, plays Retirement Planning Consultant with and musicals. Stan was in high school UBS Financial Services, Inc. theatre, university musicals and can be seen annually in the Chicago Stan has been involved with the Bar Association’s Christmas Spirits Welcome New Board a member of American Israel Public Jewish Community Center (JCC) Show. He and Jodi enjoy attending the Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Young of Northbrook Board of Directors, theatre and Stan is very honored and Members! Presidents Organization (YPO) Chicago Children’s Memorial Hospital Annual excited to be part of the Board Chapter, International Sanitary Supply Summer Raffle, Juvenile Diabetes and of Trustees. Larry B. Kugler Association (ISSA) and the Greater the Five Seasons Board of Governors Larry Lives in Glencoe with his wife North Michigan Avenue Association Tracie and their three children, Erica, (GNMA). David and Zak. Since January 1, 1995, Community Partners he has been President and CEO of David McGranahan The Millard Group, Inc., a company he David lives in Winnetka with his wife Please join the Writers’ Theatre artists, staff and Board of Trustees in thanking acquired from his family on January Leslie and his three children, Jack, our current community partners for their continued support by visiting their 1, 1997, continuing more than 90 Libby and Nathaniel. He is a Director establishments and telling them we sent you. Let them know that their support years of Kugler ownership. The Millard in the Sales and Trading Division of means as much to you as it does to everyone at the theatre. Group cleans in excess of 100 million Credit Suisse and is also an active square feet daily for more than 500 board member of The Springboard clients. The company employs more Foundation, whose mission is than 4,700 people in 32 states. The to improve the quality of life in Millard Group serves office high-rises, Chicago’s economically challenged apartment buildings, industrial clients, neighborhoods through the support of shopping malls, healthcare facilities, grassroots after-school programs for laboratories and educational and children. Originally from Virginia, David Restaurant Partner Wine Tasting Series Partner financial institutions. graduated from Princeton in 1991 and 317 Park Avenue 1919 Skokie Valley Rd. completed a Masters in Management Glencoe, IL 60022 Highland Park, IL 60035 Larry did his undergraduate work at from Northwestern University’s Kellogg 847-835-2620 847-433-9463 the University of Illinois, Champaign- School in 1998. He and his family samswine.com Urbana, where he graduated in 1988 relocated back to the Chicago area in with a degree in Political Science. He 2004 after four years in London. is a former member of the Jewish Correction Council for Youth Services (formerly Stanford R. Slovin Young Men’s Jewish Council), where A native to the Chicago area, Stan In the last issue of The Brief Chronicle (issue 15, Bach at Leipzig) it was stated he served for five years, three of those lives in Northbrook with his wife Jodi as part of the “Donor Spotlight” on Elly Thaviu (Page 20) that tickets were free years on the executive committee. and their two children, Josh and Abby. of charge to the Sam Thaviu Memorial Concert on May 6 at 1 p.m. at the North He is a former member of Inspired He was born and raised in Skokie, Shore Senior Center (NSSC). Tickets are, in fact, $10 for NSSC members and Partnerships, where he served on attended Niles North High School, $12 for non-members. the Board of Directors, the American graduated with a B.S. in Finance Jewish Committee (AJC) and the from the University of Illinois, Urbana- The afternoon will feature a concert by the Orion String Quartet and readings American Committee for the Weizmann Champaign and a J.D. from the John from Writers’ Theatre’s upcoming production of Othello. Reservations are strongly Institute of Science (ACWIS). He is Marshall Law School. Stan has been encouraged and can be made by calling 847-784-6000.

30 IN BRIEF IN BRIEF 31 BOARD OF TRUSTEES THE BRIEF CHRONICLE TEAM

IN MEMORIAM Christopher Knight Kory P. Kelly President Director of Marketing & Communications Carl Boyer Editor, The Brief Chronicle Vice-President Michael Halberstam Gillian Goodman Artistic Director Joseph Sullivan Vice-President (1933 – 2006) Bruce Tranen Rachel Weinstein Vice-President Acting Executive Director There has long been a guiding philosophy to the philanthropy of Joe Norman Cutler Lindsey Becker and Jeanne Sullivan: support dreams, Treasurer Development Manager venture where others fear to tread, Barbara Melcher back innovators. In Writers’ Theatre, Sherre Jennings Cullen Secretary the Sullivans found a grateful home Director of Development for their financial support and strategic Tom Hodges leadership. Joe and Jeanne were Immediate Past President Jon Faris among our early supporters and were Management Associate always there at times of greatest need. Betty Lilienfield Founding President Jason Held Writers’ Theatre lost a great friend Development Manager when Joe passed away last September the world. The arts have always been a centerpiece of the Sullivans’ love after a long battle with cancer. The TRUSTEES Jimmy McDermott and attention and they have backed Theatre’s bond with the Sullivans Artistic Assistant stretches back to 1994, when the projects from a teenage theatre troupe Arthur Anderson, Jr. in Santa Fe to dramatic innovators Sullivans’ ties to actor Nicholas Susan Belgrad Sara M. Poorman Pennell of the Stratford Festival led around the country, including Moisés Kaufman (The Laramie Project, I Am My Lorry Borowitz Marketing Associate them to underwrite a Writers’ Theatre Sara Cohan co-production of Not About Heroes. At Own Wife). These are the “dreamers” – poets, writers, artists – that have Howard Conant, Jr. LaRonika Thomas Pennell’s untimely passing in 1995, the Director of Education Sullivans sponsored two productions in benefited from their relationships with Judy Cottle the Sullivans. Carol Dawley commemoration of his artistic legacy Nichole Webster and began their annual support of Michael Halberstam “At every pivotal point of growth and Director of Audience Services Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. Larry B. Kugler intensive need, the Sullivans have Jennifer Litowitz LOWERCASE INC Joe was born into a lower middle-class spontaneously and miraculously come Tom Mann Design neighborhood in Boston and went calling,” says Halberstam. “Their David McGranahan on to become a highly successful support at exactly the right moment Lorel McMillan business executive. He never forgot has been uncanny and almost mystical. the tales of immigrant struggles However, the more I have learned about Jean Nerenberg Special Contributors the people and the projects they have among his neighbors and became Pam Phillips Martha Wade Steketee an ardent supporter of human and supported, the more I have realized Christine Pope that this astonishing gift has been Michael Montenegro civil rights in the U.S. and abroad. Stanford R. Slovin He was a founding board member of quite simply their way of being.” William E. Taylor the American Refugee Committee, Rachel Weinstein which helps meet the basic needs of Thank you, Joe, for your trust, support Pam Zdunek refugees in war-ravaged areas around and, most of all, your unwavering belief in what we do. 32 IN BRIEF WRITERS’ THEATRE 15 YEARS

Glencoe Performance Venues 325 Tudor Court 664 Vernon Avenue

Box Office & Administration 376 Park Avenue Glencoe, IL 60022

Box Office 847-242-6000 Office 847-242-6001 Fax 847-242-6011 www.writerstheatre.org

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The 2006/07 Season is supported, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.