Opening is March 26. According to Profiles, "The Wonderful World of Dissocia is a colorful and exciting off-kilter trip that follows Lisa Jones in search of one lost hour that has tipped the balance of her life. The inhabitants of the wonderful world she finds herself in — Dissocia — are a curious blend of the funny, the friendly and the brutal. This is a hugely original play, both magical and moving, that confirmed Anthony Neilson as one of the major voices in contemporary British theatre."
The play received its lauded world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival and went on to win every major category at the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland including Best New Play and Best Production. The play subsequently played to sold-out houses and wowed audiences and critics alike at the National Theatre of Scotland and at the Royal Court in London.
The cast of The Wonderful World of Dissocia features Profiles ensemble members Somer Benson, Eric Burgher and Joe Jahraus, plus Jeremy Lee Cudd, Jessie Fisher, Sarah Loveland, Bob Pries and Barb Stasiw.
The designers are Thad Hallstein (set), Jessica Harpenau (lights), Ricky Lurie (costumes) and Kevin O'Donnell (sound). The assistant director is Profiles ensemble member Tyler Gray, and the stage manager is Jackie Woodward.
"The Wonderful World of Dissocia is one of the most unique, unorthodox and surprising pieces of theatre I have ever read," stated director Cox. "I have long been an admirer of Anthony Neilson's work — a fearless Scotsman, who was at the forefront of the revolutionary British 'in-yer-face' theatre movement in the early '90's. With Dissocia, one of his most recent plays, Mr. Neilson is no longer content with expanding the boundaries of experiential theatre. This new work brings a blast of fresh, emotionally truthful and physically alive theatre to the stage that is truly remarkable. We are honored to be introducing this play to American audiences and promise an experience that will be unlike anything in our 20-year history at Profiles." For more information visit www.profilestheatre.org.
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The final production of the Profiles season will be the world premiere of Graceland by Ellen Fairey. Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni. Profiles brings new works to Chicago "that illuminate the determination and resiliency of the human spirit." The company produces World, U.S. and Midwest Premieres by new playwrights, as well as established writers whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. Profiles "is particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language and the company takes pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk." Profiles Theatre is committed to producing plays "that tell a story in a captivating way with productions that complement the ensemble and speak to its audience."
