The Chicago production will run Feb. 11-April 5, 2009, at Lookingglass Theatre Company's home inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works.
Schwimmer, long associated with Lookingglass, starred as Ross on TV's "Friends" and appeared in the recent Broadway production of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. Lookingglass leaders are jumping into the act: Artistic director David Catlin will play Dr. Gibbs, and artistic director of new works Heidi Stillman will play Mrs. Gibbs. Joey Slotnick, whose face is known from film and TV, will play the Stage Manager.
Our Town will also feature Lookingglass Ensemble Members Thomas J. Cox (Ensemble), Christine Mary Dunford (Mrs. Webb), Laura Eason (Emily Webb), Raymond Fox (Ensemble), David Kersnar (Simon Stimson), Tracy Walsh (Ensemble), and Andrew White (Mr. Webb), and Artistic Associates Kevin Douglas (Ensemble) and Louise Lamson (Rebecca Gibbs).
According to production notes, "The citizens of Grover's Corners share the ultimate tale of community in this American classic. The Lookingglass Ensemble will infuse the play with a singular chemistry you won't see anywhere else. In the hands of these renowned artists, Thornton Wilder's masterpiece will be disarmingly beautiful, utterly compelling and painfully funny."
Opening is Feb. 21, 2009. Shapiro is an Ensemble Member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She won the 2008 Tony Award for her direction of August: Osage County. Thebus is an Artistic Associate at Steppenwolf.
For tickets and more information visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org or call (312) 337-0665.
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Lookingglass Theatre Company was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. 2007-2008 marked the company's 20th anniversary season. Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. Lookingglass has staged 50 world premieres at 23 venues across Chicago, and garnered 41 Joseph Jefferson Awards and Citations. Its work has toured to New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Washington, DC and St. Louis. Current touring productions include Mary Zimmerman's The Arabian Nights at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (fall 2008) and Kansas City Repertory (spring 2009), as well as Clay (which recently ended an Off-Broadway run).
The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago's landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.
Lookingglass Theatre Company is under the guidance of artistic director David Catlin, executive director Rachel Kraft, producing artistic director Philip R. Smith and artistic director of new work Heidi Stillman. The troupe includes a 22-member artistic ensemble, 14 artistic associates, 13 production affiliates and an administrative staff. Board chairman is Lisa Green.
