Thank You Generous support for the 2011–12 Friends of the MCA Stage Become a Friend of the MCA Stage season of MCA Stage is provided by Elizabeth A. Liebman, David Amphion Foundation, Inc. Support the voices and visions of Herro and Jay Franke, Susan and Katherine A. Abelson and our time by directly investing in Lew Manilow, Lois and Steve Eisen Robert J. Cornell the work of living artists. Our and The Eisen Family Foundation, Janet Alberti and Fred Schneider Friends of the MCA Stage receive Nancy Lauter McDougal and Alfred Leigh and Henry Bienen exclusive benefits such as L. McDougal, The Weasel Fund, The Boeing Company recognition in MCA Stage program Mary Ittelson, Carol Prins and Teddy Dean Boys notes, exclusive ticket offers, John Hart/The Jessica Fund, Ellen Greg Cameron invitations to receptions with the Stone Belic, and Richard and Ann The Consulate General of artists, and access to behind-the- Tomlinson. Poland in Chicago scenes rehearsals. Pamela Crutchfield Foundation Season Sponsor Shawn M. Donnelley and Become a Friend of the MCA Stage Christopher M. Kelly today by calling 312.397.3864. Lois and Steve Eisen and The Eisen Family Foundation Gale and Ric Fischer David Herro and Jay Franke Terri and Stephen Geifman Official Airline Bill and Vicki Hood Mary E. Ittelson Anne and John Kern Lisa Yun Lee In-Kind Equipment Sponsor Elizabeth A. Liebman Susan and Lew Manilow Nancy Lauter McDougal and Fred McDougal Susan Manning and Doug Doetsch Hotel Partner Maecenas Charles L. Michod and Susan A. Michod Herbert R. and Paula Molner Maya Polsky Sarai Hoffman and Stephen Pratt Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies Carol Prins and John Hart/ The Jessica Fund Mr. and Mrs. John Seder Mr. and Mrs. Dan Sternberg Mr. & Mrs. Thomas C. Sheffield Jr. Ms. Patricia F. Sternberg Ellen Stone Belic MCA Chicago is a proud partner of Richard and Ann Tomlinson the National Performance Network. Pooja and Peter Vukosavich/ Studio V Design The Weasel Fund Angel Ysaguirre and Bob Webb Anonymous As of September 13, 2011 remixed/ reimagined On June 23, 2011, MCA Chicago Stefan Edlis and Gael Neeson Gale and Ric Fischer celebrated the achievements of MCA Larry and Marilyn Fields Terri and Stephen Geifman Stage with the remixed/reimagined Walter and Karla Nicholas and Nancy Giampietro/ Performance Benefit. This Goldschmidt Foundation Reyes Holdings innovative evening was cochaired Jack and Sandra Guthman Paul and Linda Gotskind by MCA Trustee Sara Albrecht and Gretchen and Jay Jordan Paul Gray and Dedrea Armour Gray MCA Performance Committee member Kim and Brad Keywell Rachel and David Grund Jay Franke. Our sincere thanks to Robert M. and Diane v.S. Levy Caryn and King Harris all who contributed to the event Family Foundation Bill and Vicki Hood and to all who continue to support Sylvia Neil and Dan Fischel Cynthia Hunt and Philip Rudolph MCA Stage in its 15th season. Joseph G. Nicholas Foundation Susie Karkomi and Marvin Leavitt Donna and Howard Stone Anne and John Kern remixed/reimagined Host Committee Jamie and Rob Taylor Linda Kinzelberg Evening Benefactors Danielle and Martin E. Zimmerman Ron and Fifi Levin Sara Albrecht Lisa M. Key and Kevin Lint Lois and Steve Eisen Spotlight Supporters Suzanne Lovell, Inc. Jay Franke and David Herro Katherine A. Abelson and Stephen and Karen Malkin Susan and Lew Manilow Robert J. Cornell Susan Manning and Doug Doetsch Cari and Michael Sacks Jennifer Aubrey Barbara and Kent Manning Leigh and Henry Bienen Marquis and Pamela Miller Patron Sponsors Julie and Larry Bernstein Herbert R. and Paula Molner W. George and Margot Greig Deborah A. Bricker Abby O’Neil Mary Ittelson Suzette and Allan E. Bulley III Terry and Cynthia Perucca Anne Kaplan Maureen and Scott Byron Maya Polsky and Nicholas Bridon Sally Meyers Kovler and Meg and Tim Callahan Elizabeth Price and Lou Yecies Jonathan Kovler Marcia Cohn Sally and Ellis Regenbogen Rocco and Roxanne Martino Marge and Lew Collens Cheryl and John Seder Carol Prins and John Hart Patricia Cox Irving Stenn, Jr. UBS Pam Crutchfield Dorie Sternberg Helen and Sam Zell Nora Daley Conroy and Sean Conroy Patty Sternberg Dana and Stan Day Peggy and Jim Swartchild Spotlight Sponsors Ted and Julia DeNapoli Kathy Taslitz Mary Jo and Doug Basler Dirk Denison and David Salkin Richard and Ann Tomlinson Ellen Stone Belic Dan and Nicole Drexler Kay and Craig Tuber Buckle Kristopher Photo: Robert and Sheryl Bellick Laura and Scott Eisen Peter and Pooja Vukosavich/ Marlene Breslow-Blitstein Sidney and Sondra Berman Epstein Studio V Design and Berle Blitstein Ginger Farley and Bob Shapiro Trudy and Jim Westerman Teatr ZAR Thursday– The Gospels of Sunday, Childhood Triptych March 29– April 1, 2012 Teatr ZAR Artists Up Close Performance Programs, with The Gospels of Gospels of Childhood was This series brings together Teatr ZAR Director Jaroslaw Childhood Triptych First performed October 2003 for conceived as three parts but the twenty-fifth anniversary of MCA Stage artists with the Fret and his company mem- the Centre for Theatre Practices is performed sometimes as public for a variety of intimate bers. Project leader: Jaroslaw Fret “Gardzienice,” in Brzezinka, the separate works. The Overture conversations and training to forest base of The Centre for and Caesarean Section were Study of Jerzy Grotowski’s Work provide insight into the cre- Workshop: Flesh of Sound All songs are gathered and and for Cultural and Theatrical first performed in 2004, and ative process. Saturday and Sunday, arranged by the company: Research. Anhelli. The Calling was pre- March 31 and April 1, 11 Nini Julia Bang miered in 2009. Not linked in Talk: Pneumatics of an am–2 pm Ditte Berkeley Part 2: Caesarean Section. a narrative way, the parts of Actor: Theatre out of the This exceptional opportunity to Przemyslaw Blaszczak Essays on Suicide. the triptych connect essentially spirit of music train with Teatr ZAR, the resi- Daniel Cunningham Caesarean Section draws on through song. When performed Tuesday, March 27 dent company of the Grotowski Alessandro Curti the music of Corsica, interwo- together, associations, ellipses, As part of World Theatre Institute, is a deep investiga- Jaroslaw Fret ven with songs from Bulgaria, innuendos, and inferences in Day, the League of Chicago tion of sound and rhythm. The Kamila Klamut Romania, Iceland, and each part pick up each other’s Theatres hosted a talk by members guide participants Aleksandra Kotecka Chechnya as an exploration of collocations, as carillons or Jaroslaw Fret, who cofounded through their inimitable Balkan Matej Matejka the question of freedom and vibrating strings. Poland’s Teatr ZAR with fel- and Caucasus vocal patterns Ewa Pasikowska its limitations, of existential low members of the Grotowski and physical improvisation Tomasz Wierzbowski suffering, and of the torment of The running time is 180 minutes, Institute. A packed house to explore the connection of contemplated suicide. with two intermissions. No late heard Fret explain their unique physical rhythms to the breath Lighting: Bartosz Radziszewski seating. Recommended for artistic process, which draws as well as physical contact Company manager: Part 3: Anhelli. The Calling. mature audiences. from musical sources centered between partners. Participants Magdalena Madra The musical score for this on the Christian traditions are encouraged, but not tribute to Polish Romantic Support for the MCA Stage of the East and West hemi- required, to attend both ses- Presented in association with poet Juliusz Slowacki and his presentation is generously pro- spheres, and emphasizes sion days. Registration is $15 Goodman Theatre biblical poem titled “Anhelli” vided by the Consulate General breath as it relates to the act- per day, or $10 per day with a is inspired by Byzantine and of the Republic of Poland in ing practice. He also showed Teatr ZAR performance ticket. Part 1: Overture. Sardinian Paschal hymns. The Chicago. film and sound footage of Fragments on Intimations poem, about an Angel that ZAR’s investigative expeditions Saturday Speakeasy of Immortality from accompanies Anhelli on a jour- Teatr ZAR is supported by into Georgia, Greece, Corsica, March 31 Recollections of Early ney as his soul, is a meditation the Wroclaw City Council, the and Sardinia. Following the performance, Childhood. on life’s journey toward death Adam Mickiewicz Institute, audience members are invited Based the story of Martha, and the openness neces- and the Ministry of Culture First Night to mingle with the company in Mary, and Lazarus, from the sary to live and to die for our and National Heritage of the Thursday, March 29 the lobby, with a cash bar and little known apocryphal gos- humanity. Republic of Poland. Following the opening-night snacks available. pels, this overture to the trip- performance, audience tych ponders the “impossible First performed September 2009 at the Barbican Centre, London, members are invited to join story of resurrection” using a as part of the triptych for its an insightful discussion led musical structure based on the premiere at the Polska! Year, by Peter Taub, Director of polyphonic singing tradition of Great Britain. Georgia, Bulgaria, and Greece. About the artists Part I Teatr ZAR and whose ideas had a great impact on Jerzy The Overture. Fragments on Intimations cultivates an ethos of ensemble work through a Grotowski—once wrote: “God created theatre for of Immortality from Recollections of Early long creative process, making original theatrical those for whom the church does not suffice.” Childhood. language based on music from numerous tradi- tions found in both the East and West. The com- ZAR underwent more than ten years of investiga- Teatr ZAR’s interest in gnostic elements from pany is a multinational group that was formed in tive research and development into ancient the beginning of Christianity provided the initial Sunday Morning by Nikolai Nikolaevich Ge (1831–94), Wroclaw, Poland, by apprentices of the Grotowski sacred songs in making the triptych.