Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre Company, whose talented ensemble includes prestigious members such as "Friends'" David Schwimmer and writer/director Mary Zimmerman, has announced it's eighth season, the first season to be fully scheduled in advance and offer subscriptions.
The season includes two world premieres, a revival, and a workshop series for experimental new work, beginning on Halloween with the world premiere of The Vanishing Twin, by Bruce Norris with original music by the cast. Described as a Gothic horror rock 'n' roll comedy, The Vanishing Twin involves a governess who opens a forbidden door, letting loose bizarre, deformed characters who reveal a strange family history. Former Didjits frontman Rick Sims returns to the Lookingglass to serve as guest musician for the run.
Two shows will run in repertory during the winter. Lookingglass' award winning In the Eye of the Beholder conceived and directed by Laura Eason, runs March 6-23. The piece explores the ways in which fear shapes the lives of women. In rep with ...Beholder is the Winter Workshop Performance Festival, which provides a forum for 10 new works to be developed simultaneously. Some of the workshops may develop into mainstage productions in the future.
The season will close with the world premiere of 28, a multi-media production conceived and directed by Laura Eason, exploring the ways in which modern technology fuels isolation and apathy in society, drawing from newspaper articles, tv shows and personal experience.
The 17 actors, directors, designers and musicians the make up the Lookingglass Theatre Company are currently without a theatrical venue to call their own. Therefore all theatres and performances spaces for the upcoming season are yet to be determined. Throughout their eight year history, the company has received 26 Jeff Citations. To order subscription packages and discount subscription rates for the Lookingglass Theatre Co. 1996-97 season, call (312) 477-8808, or visit the Lookingglass website at http://charlotte.acns.edu/kj/lookingglass.
--By Blair Glaser
