Opened: January 23, 2003 - Closed: May 17, 2003
"SOME VOICES" tells the story of a man with schizophrenia who returns home to live with his brother, and his struggle to understand love, family, and ultimately, his place in the world. Ray has just been discharged from a mental institution and moves in with his older brother, Pete, a successful restaurant owner. In spite of Pete's attempts to keep his brother on track, Ray is reluctant to take his medication, claiming it "affects his judgment," and he sets off on his own. Ray's grip on reality is tested when he meets and falls in love with Laura, a young pregnant woman who is trying to escape an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Dave. But soon Ray's illness begins to reassert itself and he must fight to hold onto his newfound happiness before it all unravels around him.
Profiles Theatre follow their long-running, critically acclaimed production of "Dogs Barking" with the Chicago Premiere of "SOME VOICES", by Olivier Award-Winning playwright Joe Penhall. "SOME VOICES" received overwhelming critical acclaim and won the prestigious John Whiting Award when it premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 1994. The Sunday Times hailed it, "The most thrilling playwriting debut in years...The writing is razor-sharp, sensitive, quietly eloquent, full of the touchingly drab poetry of lost lives." And the Guardian raved, "Joe Penhall's new play is a beautifully written piece that does not romanticize it's subject, making for a riveting evening of theatre."
Joe Penhall's most recent play is the award-winning "Blue/Orange" that received it's world premiere at the Royal National Theatre's Cottesloe Theatre in 2000. Mr. Penhall won every major London theatre award for "Blue/Orange" including the Olivier Award for Best New Play, the Evening Standard Award for Best Play and the Critic's Circle Theatre Award for Best New Play. Mr. Penhall's other critically acclaimed plays include: "The Bullet" (Donmar Warehouse, 1998) "Love and Understanding" (Bush Theatre, 1997) "Pale Horse" (Royal Court Theatre, 1995) for which he won the Thames Television Best Play Award and "Wild Turkey" performed at the Old Red Lion as part of the 1993 London New Play Festival.
Profiles Theatre's production of "SOME VOICES" is directed by Patrick Wilkes. Mr. Wilkes returns to Profiles having directed their award-winning smash hit production of "Popcorn" by Ben Elton. Mr. Wilkes' other Chicago directing credits include the critically acclaimed productions of "Saved" by Edward Bond, "A Lie of The Mind" by Sam Shepard and "Reservoir Dogs" by Quentin Tarantino, all for Azusa Productions. Terri Steinmann will Assistant Direct and Stage Manage the production. Profiles' Company Member and Resident Sound Designer Scott Ian Lefton returns for this production, as does Dialect Coach Eric Armstrong.
The cast of "SOME VOICES" features Profiles' Associate Artistic Director Darrell W. Cox as Ray. Mr. Cox was most recently seen as Neil in "Dogs Barking". He won his second After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance in 2000 for his work as serial killer Wayne Hudson, in Profiles' hit production of "Popcorn". He also received a Joseph Jefferson Citation nomination for Principal Actor for his performance in "Popcorn". In 1998, Mr. Cox won the Joseph Jefferson Citation for Principal Actor for his performance in Profiles' celebrated production of "Eye of God". The role of Pete will be played by Profiles' Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. Mr. Jahraus was most recently seen as Splodge in "Dog Barking". He received a 1999 Joseph Jefferson Citation Nomination for Ensemble for his performance in Profiles' lauded production of "Stray Dogs". Mr. Jahraus has appeared in numerous productions at Profiles including the Joseph Jefferson Citation winning productions of "Eye of God" and "The Baby Dance". Profiles' Company Member Sara Maddox will be playing the role of Laura. Ms. Maddox was most recently seen as Alex in "Dogs Barking". Prior to that, she appeared as Brooke Daniels in Profiles' two year run of "Popcorn". The role of Dave will be played by Jim Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis was most recently seen as Otto Frank in "Diary of Anne Frank" at Theatre for Young Audiences. Bill Brennan will play the role of Ives. Mr. Brennan was most recently seen as Claudius in YamaWorks production of Hamlet.
"SOME VOICES" opens on Thursday, March 14, 2002, at 8:00 p.m. Performances will be held Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 7:00 p.m., through Sunday, April 28, 2002. Tickets are $22.00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and $18.00 on Sundays. Preview performances will be held March 11, 12, and 13, at 8:00 p.m., with a discounted ticket price of $14.00. Students and Senior Citizens receive a $2.00 discount on all performances and group rates are also available. Paid parking is conveniently located near the theatre. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended by calling (773) 549-1815.
*Won Joseph Jefferson Citation for Principal Actor -
Darrell W. Cox