NEWS: Announcing the Cast of Cosmic Events Are Upon Us
Cast of Cosmic Events Are Upon Us, listed from left to right, top to bottom: Line 1: Zach Bundy, Samantha Dedian, Emily Demko, Chloe Dzielak, Elena Feliz Line 2: Zack Florent*, LaKecia Harris, Maximillian Lapine, Tim Lueke, Julia MacMillan Line 3: Adrienne Matzen*, Martin Monahan, Bob Pantalone, Gloria Petrelli, Carlye Pollack Line 4: Jonathan Rooney Thomas Sparks, Alexander Utz, Lew Wallace*, and Tanner Walters
"I was misunderstood. I only wanted to do good." - Nicholas Romanov
CHICAGO - August 18, 2016 - Waltzing Mechanics announces the full cast and creative team for its latest original documentary play - Cosmic Events Are Upon Us, written and directed by co-founder Keely Leonard. Cosmic Events will run at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church Auditorium from November 4 - 26, 2016.
After the Romanov family was toppled and replaced by the Soviet Union, they were reviled as oppressors of their people and upholders of an outmoded oligarchy. But they didn't start that way. Using original source material, irreverent humor, sock puppets and vodka, the Waltzing Mechanics present a sweeping true tale of one family's personal failure and its national and historical consequences.
The story of the Romanov family will be told by the Fighter (Tim Lueke). Waltzing Mechanics company members Lew Wallace and Adrienne Matzen ground the complicated Romanov family as Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Alix Romanov, respectively. The family is rounded out by the children: Olga (Julia MacMillan), Tatiana (Gloria Petrelli), Maria (Elena Feliz), Anastasia (Chloe Dzielak), and the hemophiliac heir to the throne, Alexei (Tanner Walters).
The royal family is supported by their close confidant Rasputin (Martin Monahan), maid Anna (Samantha Dedian), family physician Dr. Botkin (Max Lapine), bodyguards Nagorny (Zack Florent) and Derevenko (Bob Pantalone), and the childrens' schoolteachers Mr. Gibbes (Thomas Sparks) and Monsieur Gilliard (Alexander Utz).
The ensemble is completed with Zach Bundy, Emily Demko, LaKecia Harris, Carlye Pollack, and Jonathan Rooney.
Waltzing Mechanics co-founder Keely Leonard will direct, assisted by Kaitlin Taylor. Alyson Kulin and Margaret Baughman will stage manage. Waltzing Mechanics Technical Director J.D. Ostergaard will scenic design, accompanied by sound design by Grover Hollway and lighting design by Karen Thompson. The show will feature costumes designed by Rachel Parent, props designed by Emmy Weldon and puppets designed by Myra Su. Nathan Lamp will provide dramaturgical detail to the performance, assisted by Symone Powell.
For a complete performance listing and more information about the production, visit www.waltzingmechanics.org/cosmicevents.
Cosmic Events Are Upon Us will be performed at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church Auditorium at 1650 W. Foster Avenue in Andersonville and will run from November 4 - November 26, with previews on November 1 and 2. Tickets will be on sale soon; sponsorships are now available.
Founded in 2010, Waltzing Mechanics creates original theatrical works inspired by real people telling stories about their lives. Using methods of performance ethnography, we facilitate dialogues among our audiences and within our communities.
First cast reading of Cosmic Events Are Upon Us
Stage Manager Alyson Kulin (left), Writer/Director Keely Leonard (center), and Assistant Director Kaitlin Taylor (right)
For further information, please contact:
Bob Prescott, Waltzing Mechanics Marking Manager 219-263-3666 bprescott@waltzingmechanics.org