Oak Park Newspaper

KILLER JOE

by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts

review by Ed Vincent

Killer Joe is a wild ride down a dark alley of visceral dialog and some bare bush. The full frontal nudity will keep the kids home and the ministers in church, but the plot will have you thinking for days. The acting by everyone is worthy of awards and Claire Wellin is unforgettable, her portrayal of half-witted sexually abused young person is tremendous and tragic. This existential drama pits every emotion against each fork in the road of human choice. The amalgam of this action is chaos throwing caution to the wind with some humor giving respite.

This motley group of maniacal characters is sort of cross between characters in a Eugene O'Neill play and individuals found in a Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood." The diversity of emotional roles required in these parts is a tremendous artistic demand and given the cast members backgrounds they're really working to bring these folk to life.

There is not a character in this play that you would want to spend more than a few seconds with in real life, but the performance will keep you in your seat. You will also be quite happy that these characters stay on stage and will not come home with you.

Profiles Theatre moves its

acclaimed production of

Chicago, IL- Profiles Theatre announces the transfer of its hit production Killer Joe by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts to Chicago’s Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. After 13 weeks at Profiles, the critically-acclaimed production will move to The Royal George Theatre’s Cabaret space for an 8-week run, April 15- June 6, 2010, with a press performance on April 16 at 8:00 p.m.

The production, directed by Steppenwolf ensemble member Rick Snyder, has been playing to sold-out houses at Profiles since it opened in January 2010. The production received rave critical reviews from Chicago’s top critics and is well on the way to breaking Profiles’ box office records. All cast members are continuing in their roles, including Profiles ensemble members Darrell W. Cox and Somer Benson along with Kevin Bigley, Howie Johnson and Claire Wellin.

“This will be the first time in our history that we have transferred a show to a much larger theatre,” says Profiles Artistic Director Joe Jahraus. “This is a perfect theatre space for Killer Joe as it will allow us to reach a much larger audience and yet still maintain the intimacy that makes the production so powerful and visceral.”

In Killer Joe, the Smith family, a greedy and vindictive clan of Texans, hatch a plan to murder their estranged matriarch to cash in on her insurance policy. Unable to bring themselves to do the deed, they hire Killer Joe Cooper, a full-time cop and part-time contract killer. Once he steps into their trailer, their simple plan quickly spirals out of control.

The designers are Sotirious Livaditis (set), Jessica Harpenau (lights), Darcy McGill (costumes), and Kevin O’Donnell (sound). The assistant director is Jeremy Lee Cudd. The stage manager is Mary Ellen Rieck and the assistant stage manager is Corey Weinberg.

The production contains graphic violence, nudity and strong adult content, no one under seventeen will be admitted.

Beginning April 15 at the Royal George, tickets are $35 for Thursdays and $40 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets at Royal George are available by phone at (312) 988-9000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 5:00 and 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 7:00 p.m.

Profiles Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company founded in 1988 by five Eastern Illinois University alumni and has since been continually producing plays. Profiles brings new works to Chicago that illuminate the determination and resiliency of the human spirit. The company produces World, US and Midwest Premieres by new playwrights, as well as established writers whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. Profiles is particularly drawn to playwrights with a unique narrative style and use of language and the company takes pride in carefully selecting scripts that combine integrity with risk. Profiles Theatre is committed to producing plays that tell a story in a captivating way with productions that complement the ensemble and speak to its audience.

Featuring: Profiles ensemble members Somer Benson and Darrell W. Cox

Ticket prices: Thursdays are $35, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $40; Students and Senior Citizens receive a $5 discount on all performances; Group rates are available.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

TRACY LETTS (playwright) is the recipient of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play for AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. His acclaimed play SUPERIOR DONUTS premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2008 and was recently seen on Broadway at New York’s Music Box Theatre. KILLER JOE, written in 1991, has been performed in at least 15 countries in 12 different languages. His play BUG has played in New York, Chicago and London. He is also the author of a recent adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s THREE SISTERS and MAN FROM NEBRASKA, which premiered at Steppenwolf in 2003. Tracy has been an ensemble member at Steppenwolf since 2002 and performed in such productions as AMERICAN BUFFALO, BETRAYAL, THE PILLOWMAN, LAST OF THE BOYS, THE PAIN AND THE ITCH, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (also in Dublin and Toronto). He has appeared on television in “The District,” “Profiler,” “Prison Break,” “The Drew Carey Show,” “Seinfeld” and “Home Improvement.” Film appearances include “Guinevere”, “U.S. Marshals” and “Chicago Cab.”

RICK SNYDER (director), a Steppenwolf ensemble member, returns to Profiles after directing the acclaimed production of MEN OF TORTUGA last season. He recently directed ART at Steppenwolf, MAURITIUS at Northlight Theatre, THE LION IN WINTER at Writers’ Theatre, THE ACTOR at the Goodman Theatre and ARISTOCRATA at Strawdog Theatre. He has also directed BETRAYAL at Steppenwolf, JOLLY and THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE JEWS at the Goodman, ST. SCARLET at ATC, BUS STOP at Writers’ Theatre and LAST OF THE BOYS at Steppenwolf. Other directing credits at Steppenwolf include TAVERN STORY, THINGS BEING WHAT THEY ARE, ORANGE FLOWER WATER (which traveled to the Galway Arts Festival), and THE FALL TO EARTH. As an actor, Rick recently appeared in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY and THE UNMENTIONABLES at Steppenwolf Theatre as well as MAN FROM NEBRASKA and I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER. Other Steppenwolf Theatre productions include WEDDING BAND, TIME OF YOUR LIFE, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST in London and on Broadway, and SIDEMAN in Galway, Ireland. DAVID COPPERFIELD, THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE, SLAUGHTERHOUSE FIVE, MOLLY SWEENEY, PICASSO AT THE LAPINE AGILE, the Tony Award-winning GRAPES OF WRATH, THE ROAD TO NIRVANA, and A WALF IN THE WOODS. He has appeared at the Goodman Theatre in AS YOU LIKE IT, DOWN THE SHORE and as Ebenezer Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. At Northlight Theatre he appeared in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF and THE REAR COLUMN. Television credits include CRIME STORY, FIRST STEPS, LADY BLUE, LEGACY OF LIES, THE WOMAN WHO LOVED ELVIS, OVEREXPOSED, and guest starring roles on EARLY EDITION, PROFILER, CHICAGO HOPE, ANGEL STREET, THE UNTOUCHABLES, MISSING PERSONS, and MIND OF THE MARRIED MAN. Rick has appeared in the films MEET THE APPLEGATES, THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, ALIEN NATION MILLENIUM, THE NET starring Sandra Bullock, WHITEBOYS, and SOUL SURVIVORS. He appeared as agent Frank Burrows in U.S. MARSHALS and recently appeared in THE HUMAN STAIN. Rick has taught acting classes at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN, as well as advanced acting class at Northwestern University and DePaul. He currently teaches Directing 1 at Columbia College in Chicago. Rick has been a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble since 1983, and an instructor for The School at Steppenwolf and Associate Artist at Steppenwolf for the last ten years.

SOMER BENSON (Sharla) is an ensemble member of Profiles Theatre and was most recently seen as Anna in Profiles' World Premiere of GRACELAND by Ellen Fairey. Prior to that, she was seen as Lisa in the U.S. premiere of THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISSOCIA by Anthony Neilson, and as Diane in Profiles' Midwest Premiere of THE THUGS by Adam Bock. She was also seen as Steph in a reading of REASONS TO BE PRETTY, part of Profiles’ AN EVENING WITH NEIL LABUTE: LIVE AND IN PERSON. Prior to that, she was seen in “Coax” as part of Profiles' Midwest premiere of THINGS WE SAID TODAY by Neil LaBute. Some of her other favorite productions include PROOF, COLLECTED STORIES and COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN. Somer is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (CA), studied at Waubonsee Community College with Dr. Maria Bakalis and has also studied at Profiles Theatre.

KEVIN BIGLEY (Chris), making his debut at Profiles, most recently played George Bailey in ATC’s tour cast of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Other past credits include Henry in Muse of Fire’s HENRY V, Ross in MACBETH at the Athenaeum, Achilles in IPHIGENIA 2.0 at The Greenhouse Theater, and Grotto Good in STILL LIFE WITH IRIS at the Merle Reskin. Kevin is currently understudying at Steppenwolf for Finny in SEPARATE PEACE, directed by Jon Berry. In June, Kevin graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University with his BFA in Acting.

DARRELL W. COX (Killer Joe Cooper) is an ensemble member and Associate Artistic Director of Profiles Theatre. He was most recently seen as Ben in Profiles' Midwest Premiere of THE MERCY SEAT by Neil LaBute, and as Joe in Profiles' World Premiere of GRACELAND by Ellen Fairey. Prior to that, he was seen as the stepfather in Profiles' Midwest Premiere of GREAT FALLS by Lee Blessing, as well as Taggart in Profiles’ first full Chicago production of MEN OF TORTUGA. Prior to that, he was seen in the Chicago Premiere of Leigh Fondakowski's THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE at American Theatre Company as Jim Jones and Stephan Jones. He has been seen at Steppenwolf in the World Premiere of MEN OF TORTUGA (where he originated the role of Taggart), the Midwest Premiere of ORANGE FLOWER WATER (which traveled to the Galway Arts Festival), and the World Premiere of WENDALL GREENE. Darrell has also appeared at the Goodman in THE SHAWL and HOME as part of the David Mamet Festival and the World Premiere of MARTIN FUREY’S SHOT at TimeLine Theatre, among others. He has received three Jeff Awards for Principal Actor for his performances in Profiles’ productions of BLACKBIRD, SOME VOICES and EYE OF GOD. In addition, he has received two After Dark Awards for Outstanding Performance for his work in Profiles’ POPCORN and CARNAL KNOWLEDGE. Other recent performances at Profiles include IN A DARK DARK HOUSE, APPLE, FAT PIG and THE GLORY OF LIVING.

HOWIE JOHNSON (Ansel) was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. He has performed at Eclipse, Pegasus Players, Illinois Theatre, Mary-Arrchie, Buffalo Theatre, Trapdoor, Second City Skybox, EP Theatre, and Boxer Rebellion. He also toured with LEAVING IOWA for almost two years. He is a proud company member of SiNNERMAN Ensemble where he was last seen in IVANOV this fall. He can be seen in a a number of independent films as well as THE EXPRESS with Dennis Quaid and THE INFORMANT with Matt Damon. He's also been on the small screen as Lt. Zuelke on ER and Lukacz on PRISON BREAK.

CLAIRE WELLIN (Dottie) is an actor, singer, songwriter and dancer and recently moved to Chicago. Previously in Chicago she has performed her own work in the Beast Women Winter Cabaret Series and in CHAD MORTON'S TV CHRISTMAS MIRACLE at the Village Players. Other roles include Ophelia in HAMLET, Joan of Arc in THE LARK, Dainty June in GYPSY, Rosamund in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, The Medium/Aunt Monica in SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, Miss Dorothy in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, Peppermint Patty in SNOOPY, Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS and PETER PAN. Claire is also a violinist and jazz singer, and has performed original music with The Disappearance of Franklin. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato and most recently studied at The American University of Rome.