Last weekend, audiences were treated to the world premiere of American Rex, a new work by playwright Joshua Rollins.
The unique story of a coal-mining family in West Virginia unfolded onstage for the first time on Friday, Feb. 1, and co-director Jonni Pera said the response was very positive.
“Audiences at both the Friday and Saturday performances were excited by this play – not only because they were the first people to ever see it, but because it is a riveting story,” Pera said. “And we are really looking forward to continuing to share this story with audiences during the final two weeks of performances.”
American Rex will be on the stage at Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W. Chicago Street in Valparaiso, six more times this month. Performances will take place this weekend on Friday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 10, at 2:30 p.m. Next week’s performances include Thursday, Feb. 14, Friday, Feb. 15, and Saturday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m.
After the Feb. 9 performance, audiences will be invited to join the cast and crew at Martini’s in Valparaiso to discuss the play and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Chicago Street Theatre will also host a post-play discussion on Thursday, Feb. 14, with the audience and members of the cast.
Pera and Traci Brant collaborated to direct the play, which features an award-winning cast of veteran actors.
“The cast is exceptional,” Pera said. “They have tackled the material with a lot of enthusiasm and their dedication shows onstage.”
Brant and Pera have worked on new plays at Chicago Street Theatre in the past, most notably those of resident playwright Jim Henry, who was vocal in bringing American Rex to Valparaiso.
Henry also works as a resident playwright at the Chicago Dramatists, where he was given a draft of the play to critique. He began working with Rollins on revisions, and organized a staged reading of the play at Chicago Street Theatre. Pera and Brant attended the reading and approached Rollins about directing a full production.
Henry, who is also a member of the American Rex cast, said the mission of the theatre, and the open mind of the audience, makes it possible to produce cutting-edge plays.
“Chicago Street Theatre’s board believes in promoting new work (and) new writers and that’s rare in community theatre,” Henry said. “We’ve got actors, technicians and directors who are willing to take that chance and, luckily, we have audiences as well that are willing to come see it, which is exciting. “
Rollins is an actor and playwright who currently lives in Boulder, Co. His plays have been produced in Chicago, Boston, and New York, among other cities. He has been involved with the directors and cast at Chicago Street Theatre throughout rehearsals, and was in attendance at opening night on Feb. 1.
Rollins said he enjoyed the experience of bringing American Rex to the stage with the Chicago Street Theatre cast and crew.
“I’ve never been to Valparaiso until now and it’s refreshing to see that there are people that are this dedicated to quality theatre and to new work,” he said. “New work is always a risk. And to see a company that is so dedicated to bringing new work to the stage, I think, is really refreshing.”
To reserve tickets for any of the upcoming performances of American Rex, call the Chicago Street Theatre box office at 219-464-1636, Ext. 1, or visit www.chicagostreet.org.
About American Rex
Coal miners and farmers, the icons of American industry, are being discarded. In a small town in the heart of West Virginia, one family is under siege. Holding out despite crumbing foundations, barren land, and poisoned water, they’re slowly having the ground taken away from beneath their feet. And then they start to fight back. Lives intersect as two college students stumble into a world they’ve lived separate from. A brother and sister try to maintain the lives they know, a father stops at nothing to protect his family and land, and the spirit of a woman long gone forces everyone into desperate action. Please note, this production contains adult subject matter, strong language, brief nudity, and loud noises.
“Almost, Maine”
By John Cariani with special permission from Dramatist Play Service Inc.
Directed by Joe Culley
Tri-State Area Theater 