FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Stephen Murray
(847) 452-3352
stephenfmurray (at) gmail (dot) com
LAER’S LAST PRAYER
Devised and Directed by Stephen F. Murray
July 14-24, 2011
CHICAGO (May 16, 2011) – announcing Lær's Last Prayer devised and directed by Stephen F. Murray. The production features Elliott Fredland, Matthew Bivins, Brian Hurst, and Jamie Bragg. Lær's Last Prayer plays July 14-24, 2011 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue.
The press performances are Thursday, July 14; Friday, July 15; and Saturday, July 16 all at 8 pm.
Lær's Last Prayer is a four character play constructed as a minimalist retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear that confronts the unsettling question of what happens to our parents when they slip beyond our care. At the same time it explores what old age means with the advent of medical technology that can sustain the body longer than the mind was designed to endure. The play functions as a collage with lines from King Lear, the Book of Job, nursery rhymes, and other found texts that evoke a stark landscape of isolation and suffering (like the staging of Samuel Beckett) contrasted by the sprightly lines of Twelfth Night and various nursery rhymes. In the spirit of Heine Mueller’s Hamletmachine, Baz Luhrman, and the cyclical paintings of M.C. Escher Lær's Last Prayer uses snippets of other works to birth a new story that touches on the universal themes of caring for an aging parent and growing old in today’s day and age.
Stephen F. Murray recent Chicago credits include: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Fall of the House of Usher (City Lit Theatre), Spring Awakening, Our Country's Good (Promethean Theatre Ensemble), 2nd Story (Serendipity Theatre Collective), Dramatic Twerp (Links Hall & Oracle Theatre), and Cat & Dick (Speaking Ring Theatre – winner of the Critic’s Pick 2005 Vitality Festival). His work has been seen at the New York International Fringe Festival where he directed The Darling Children. He is a former member of Promethean Theatre Ensemble and Strawdog Theatre Company. Mr. Murray holds a degree in Theatre from Northwestern University.
The production team for Lær’s Last Prayer includes: Crystal Jovae Mazur (costumes), Melissa Schlesinger (sound), and Mary Murray (props). Sean Ewert is the Creative Consultant and Cate Anderson is the Stage Manager. Lisa Dover is the Assistant Director.
This production is funded in part through a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
FAST FACT SHEET, LAER’S LAST PRAYER
Title: Lær’s Last Prayer
Playwright/Director: Stephen F. Murray
Featuring: Elliott Fredland (Laer), Matthew Bivins (Jack), Brian Hurst (Dr. Kent), and Jamie Bragg (Jill)
Location: City Lit Theatre, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Dates:
Opening: Thursday, July 14 at 8 pm
Regular Run: July 15-24, 2011
Curtain Times: Thursday thru Friday at 8 pm Sunday matinees at 3 pm
Ticket prices: $15-25. Call 800-838-3006 or www.laerslastprayer.blogspot.com
Brief Synopsis: Lær's Last Prayer is a minimalist retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear that confronts the unsettling question of what happens to our parents when they slip beyond our care. At the same time it explores what old age means with the advent of medical technology that can sustain the body longer than the mind was designed to endure. The play functions as a collage with lines from King Lear, the Book of Job, nursery rhymes, and other found texts that evoke a stark landscape of isolation and suffering contrasted by the sprightly lines of Twelfth Night and various nursery rhymes. In the spirit of Heine Mueller’s Hamletmachine, Baz Luhrman, and the cyclical paintings of M.C. Escher Lær's Last Prayer uses snippets of other works to birth a new story that touches on the universal themes of caring for an aging parent and growing old in today’s day and age.
City Lit Theater is located near the CTA Redline (Bryn Mawr Stop), #84, #136, #147 and #151 Buses, and is wheelchair accessible. Valet parking is available at Francesca’s Brwn Mawr across the street from the theater.
For additional information, visit www.laerslastprayer.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Laers-Last-Prayer.
This production is funded in part through a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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