Popcorn
By Ben Elton
October 7, 1999 - June 2, 2001
Profiles' Award-winning and critically acclaimed U.S. Premiere of Ben Elton's POPCORN opened on October 7, 1999. The smash hit production ran for 22 months, making it one of the longest-running shows in Chicago's illustrious theatre history. This satirical comedy thriller is about an acclaimed Hollywood director who finds his home invaded by a couple of notorious serial killers who've been imitating the characters from his violent movies. Bruce Delamitri has just returned from winning an Oscar for directing a popular, Quentin Tarantino-style movie, only to discover that two ruthless killers have taken over his house and hijacked his life. The killers are avid fans of Bruce's movies and have been copying the onscreen violence in a murder spree across the country. But the killers have a dark purpose for visiting their cinematic idol, and as the body count rises, Bruce may be their only means of escape.
"Recommended! A full throttle performance of Ben Elton's wild eyed satirical-comedy-thriller, mixes a lot of laughs with this bloody business...Deliciously outrageous!"
- Richard Christiansen, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
"Recommended! Wit and insightful observation packs nearly every line of Ben Elton's new play and the cast tackles those lines with verve!"
- Avis Weathersbee, CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
"This clear-eyed, sharp-edged satire of contemporary Hollywood keeps us on the edge of our seats, perfectly paced with just the right balance of humor and thrills...terrific performances!"
- Jack Helbig, CHICAGO READER
"The biggest hit of the off-Loop theatre season is 'Popcorn' at Profiles Theatre!"
- Dan Zeff, COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
"Recommended! One of the top 5 shows to see, wickedly provocative!"
- Catey Sullivan, NEW CITY
"A superlative ensemble makes Elton's satire as smart as it is fun. Patrick Wilkes directs a cast who embraces its larger than life roles with the uniform strength of tail-gunners under fire!"
- Mary Shen Bainbridge, WINDY CITY TIMES
"A playwright with a wicked pen, Ben Elton's 'Popcorn' is sexy, scary, witty and violent and takes no prisoners as it prosecutes American's love of violence!"
- Lawrence Bommer, CHICAGO FREE PRESS
"'Popcorn' makes for an arresting evening of theatre. For some of the sharpest, most biting satire in town, catch this show while it's hot!"
- Rick Reed, OUTLINES
"Ben Elton's award-winning play is edgy, well crafted and receives an explosive staging by Profiles Theatre!"
- Tim Sauers, GAY CHICAGO
"One of the most original productions of 1999!"
- Lucia Mauro, PERFORMINK
*Won After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance - Darrell W. Cox
*Nominated for Joseph Jefferson Citation for Principal Actor - Darrell W. Cox
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