Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACT: Stephen Murray
stephenfmurray (at) gmail (dot) com

LAER’S LAST PRAYER
Devised and Directed by Stephen F. Murray
July 14-24, 2011

CHICAGO (July 12, 2011) – announcing Lær's Last Prayer devised and directed by Stephen F. Murray. The production features Nick Lake, Elliott Fredland, 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.

Constructed as a minimalist retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, the piece functions as a collage with lines from King Lear, Twelfth Night, the Book of Job, nursery rhymes, and other found texts held together with the glue of clowning, music and creative design. This new play confronts the question of what happens to our parents after they slip beyond our care examining what old age means with the advent of technology able to sustain the body longer than the mind was designed to endure. Growing old is part of the human condition and Laer's Last Prayer celebrates its journey through a lyrical staging filled with laughter, frustration, confusion, and love.

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), Liz Cooper (lights,) Melissa Schlesinger (sound), and Mary Murray (props). Sean Ewert is the Creative Consultant and Cate Anderson the Stage Manager.

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:Nick Lake (Jack), Elliott Fredland (Laer), Brian Hurst (Dr. Kent), and Jamie Bragg (Jill)

Location: City Lit Theatre, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Opening: Thursday, July 14 at 8 pm
Regular Run: July 15-24, 2011
Curtain Times: Thursday thru Saturday at 8 pm / Sunday matinees at 3 pm

Ticket prices: $15-25. Call 800-838-3006 or www.laerslastprayer.blogspot.com

Brief Synopsis: Constructed as a minimalist retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, the piece functions as a collage with lines from King Lear, Twelfth Night, the Book of Job, nursery rhymes, and other found texts held together with the glue of clowning, music and creative design. This new play confronts the question of what happens to our parents after they slip beyond our care examining what old age means with the advent of technology able to sustain the body longer than the mind was designed to endure. Growing old is part of the human condition and Laer's Last Prayer celebrates its journey through a lyrical staging filled with laughter, frustration, confusion, and love.


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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