Opened: October 13, 2005 - Closed: February 18, 2006
"One of the best shows of 2005!"
Chicago Tribune, Copley News Service, Time Out, New City
THE GLORY OF LIVING was Ms. Gilman’s first produced
play, which premiered at Circle Theatre in Chicago. It was subsequently
produced at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1999, and received its
New York premiere at the Manhattan Class Company in 2001, directed by
Philip Seymour Hoffman and starring Anna Paquin. THE GLORY OF
LIVING won The American Theatre Critics Association Osborn Award,
the London Evening Standard Award for "Best New Play", a Joseph
Jefferson Citation for "Best New Work", an After Dark Award
for “Outstanding New Work”, and was a Pulitzer Prize Nominee
in 2001.
Profiles Theatre’s production of THE GLORY OF LIVING
is directed by Carla Russell. Ms. Russell returns to
Profiles having directed last season’s critically-acclaimed Midwest
Premiere of “Noise” by Alex Jones. Ms. Russell is a recent
transplant to Chicago by way of Seattle. While in Seattle, she directed
numerous plays, including the celebrated productions of “Saved”
by Edward Bond and “The Caretaker” by Harold Pinter for Gemini
Theatre Company, and “Viewing Habits” by Christopher Keane
for Grass Roots Theatre. Ms. Russell received her MFA in directing from
the University of Pittsburgh, where she directed productions of “The
Shape of Things” by Neil LaBute and “Search and Destroy”
by Howard Korder. The production team includes: Annette Olszewski
(Assistant Director); Keith Pitts (Set Design); Aimee
Whitmore (Light Design); Stephanie Sherline
(Original Music); Eric Burgher (Sound Design/Live Music);
Sal V. Armano (Costume Design); Erica Daniels
(Casting Director); Julie Zarlenga
(Stage Manager).
The cast of THE GLORY OF LIVING features Kelly
O’Sullivan as Lisa. Ms. O’Sullivan is making her
professional theatre debut at Profiles. She is currently a Senior at Northwestern
University studying theatre, where she has appeared in "The Elephant
Man" and "Much Ado About Nothing", as well as student theatre
productions of "Children of a Lesser God" and "Oleanna.”
She is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf, where she trained in 2004.
Profiles’
Associate Artistic Director Darrell W.
Cox is featured as Clint. Mr. Cox
was most recently seen as Taggart in the World Premiere of “Men
of Tortuga” at Steppenwolf, as part of the First Look Repertory.
Prior to that, he was seen as Martin Furey in the World Premiere of “Martin
Furey's Shot” at TimeLine Theatre. He has also appeared at Steppenwolf
in the Midwest Premiere of “Orange Flower Water” (which traveled
to the Galway Arts Festival), and the World Premiere of “Wendall
Greene”. Mr. Cox has won three Joseph Jefferson Citations for Principal
Actor for his performances in Profiles' productions of “Blackbird”,
“Some Voices”, and “Eye of God”. He has also received
two After Dark Awards for Outstanding Performance for his work in “Popcorn”
and “Carnal Knowledge”.
Profiles’ Artistic Director Joe Jahraus is featured
as Carl. Mr. Jahraus has appeared in numerous productions at Profiles,
including the Joseph Jefferson Citation-winning productions of “Some
Voices”, "Eye of God", "The Baby Dance" and
“Stray Dogs”, for which he received a 1999 Joseph Jefferson
Citation nomination for Ensemble. Profiles’ Company Member Eric
Burgher is featured as Steve. He most recently appeared as Steve
Enloe in Profiles’ Midwest Premiere of “The Radiant Abyss”,
having first appeared at Profiles as Dan in the Midwest Premiere of “Noise”.
Amy Speckien returns to Profiles in the role of Girl
having recently been seen as Becky in Profiles’ Midwest Premiere
of “Noise”. Bill Hyland plays Jim/Policeman
#1/Detective Burrows and Veronica Sheaffer makes her
Profiles’ debut in the role of Carol. Appearing at Profiles for
the first time and completing the ensemble are: Todd Lahrman,
Meredith Rae Lyons, Annette Olszewski .
Recommended!
Profiles Theatre is now staging a fascinating, no-holds-barred production
directed with an ideal mix of creepiness and pathos!"
- Hedy
Weiss, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
"Critic's
Pick! Profiles' THE GLORY OF LIVING is savvy, sure-footed and
laudably intense with gutsy, courageous performances!"
- Chris
Jones, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
"
In this potent production at Profiles Theatre, Kelly O'Sullivan has a
stunning professional debut and Darrell W. Cox solidifies his position
as one of the area's best actors. The talented supporting ensemble offer
excellent and persuasive performances!"
- Dan Zeff,
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
"Recommended!
Director Russell has staged Gilman's graphic play with surprising delicacy,
placing the action directly in front of us. When Profiles selects material
to match their considerable talent, they're unbeatable. This is one of
those matches!"
- Christopher
Piatt, TIME OUT CHICAGO
"THE
GLORY OF LIVING is an exhilarating and disturbingly timeless piece of
must-see theater! The ever-edgy Profiles Theatre has unleashed a ferocious
production with a super-attractive and talented cast!"
- Scott
Morgan, WINDY CITY TIMES
"Tip
of the Week! Rebecca Gilman's potent crime-spree drama is a relentless
and expert assault!
- John Beer, NEW CITY
"It's
hard to picture a better production of this piece, and the result is a
vivid and haunting story with finely detailed and impressive performances!"
- John Olson, TALKIN' BROADWAY
"Rebecca
Gilman's THE GLORY OF LIVING, under the taut direction of Carla Russell,
is a spellbinding look at the heart of darkness. The superb cast soars
to the challenge of this complex, exciting and disturbing play!"
- Ruth Smerling, THEATREWORLD
"Recommended!
This riveting, raw drama is an intense character study that keeps you
guessing and totally engaged!"
- Tom Williams, CHICAGOCRITIC.COM
Click here to read the Chicago Tribune article "Profiles Theatre Not Afraid to Push the Envelope"