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The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen (2014 - FRINGE NYC EDITION)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Jimmy McDermott
in Association with Fringe NYC
Scenic Design by Kate Nawrocki
Lighting Design by Becca Jeffords
Music Direction and Sound Design by Elizabeth Bagby
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Choreography by Lindsey Frattare
Stage Management by Shelby Glasgow
Featuring:
Cory Aiello, Elizabeth Bagby, Delia Baseman, Scott Cupper, Addison Heimann, Jenifer Henry, Matt Holzfeind, Matt Kahler, Kate Nawrocki, Sarah Razmann, Stuart Ritter, Sarah Scanlon and Brett Schneider
In 2011, Strange Tree Group presented a world-premiere play by Emily Schwartz, THE THREE FACES OF DOCTOR CRIPPEN, at the Steppenwolf Garage Rep.
The production was a runaway success, selling out almost every performance and garnering critical raves. The script won that year's Jeff Award for Best New Work; director Jimmy McDermott won the Jeff for Best Director of a Play; and the performers were nominated for Best Ensemble.
The show was brought back for a whirlwind five performances at the New York Fringe Festival where it won the 2014 Fringe Excellence Award for Overall Play and garnered rave reviews!
"An inventive, surprising and strangely touching play... it glows with the sort of oddball beauty that always makes me envy the theater scene in Chicago, the troupe’s home base..." - Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times
"4 Stars... Schwartz's script masterfully balances slapstick with drama, blending the gaudiness of a bad vaudeville act with the absurdism of a Pinter play..." - Chris Corbo, TimeOut New York
The Dead Prince (2013)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Paul S. Holmquist
in Association with DCASE
Music anc Lyrics by Emily Schwartz
Music Direction by Zach Sigelko
Scenic Design by Joe Schermoly
Lighting Design by Becca Jeffords
Sound Design by Michael Huey
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Puppet Design by Noah Ginex
Fight Choreography by Matt Engle
Stage Management by Becky Bishop
Featuring:
Cory Aiello, Elizabeth Bagby, Dan Behrendt, Scott Cupper, Michael Thomas Downey, Kate Nawrocki, Stuart Ritter, Amber Vaughn Robinson, Sarah Scanlon, Zachary Sigelko, Ann Sonneville, Jenifer Starewich and Thomas Zeitner
Epic, goofy, comedic and romantic, THE DEAD PRINCE follows the story of a put-upon princess who is told by every magic mirror in the land that her true love has died and the two were destined never to meet: for he was dead and she alive! We join the play on the day she discovers it is possible to sneak across the void and steal him back; but does pulling someone from the brink do more damage than you think? A musical comedy full of corpses, bat attacks, horrible misunderstandings and quests... glorious quests.
The Half Brothers Mendelssohn (2013)
by Elizabeth Bagby
directed by Thrisa Hodits
Scenic Design by Kate Nawrocki and Emily Schwartz
Lighting Design by Becca Jeffords
Sound Design by Michael Huey
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Fight Choreography by Wes Clark
Stage Management by Becky Bishop
Featuring:
Cory Aiello, Audrey Flegel , Andy Hager, Kate Nawrocki , Stuart Ritter, Brandon Ruiter, and Joe Stearns
Change the past. Alter the future. Find true love. Bring back the dead. Theo Mendelssohn believes he can achieve all of these by building a working time machine to blast twenty years into the past and stop his mother from abandoning the family in 1908. But, by doing so will he also prevent his father's second marriage and the birth of his doubly doomed half-brother, Nicholas? Not if Nicholas has anything to say about it! Join The Strange Tree Group as we tumble back through time to set right what once went wrong, fall in love with other people's mothers, cause calamitous train accidents and try desperately to get the piano tuned in Elizabeth Bagby's, THE HALF-BROTHER'S MENDELSSOHN.
Funeral Wedding: The Alvin Play (2012)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Jess McLeod
Scenic Design by Scott Davis with Kate Nawrocki and Emily Schwartz
Lighting Design by Becca Jeffords
Sound Design by Michael Huey
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Stage Management by Becky Bishop
Featuring:
Delia Baseman, Daniel Behrendt, Scott Cupper, Jennifer Marschand, Kate Nawrocki, Amber Vaughn Robinson, Zachary Sigelko, and Ron Thomas
An incredible tale of a most unusual character, FUNERAL WEDDING: THE ALVIN PLAY, (Top 5 of the Fringe, 2006 Chicago Tribune) follows the story of Alvin Fisher, a paper-flower-obsessed recluse haunted by the memory of a horrible crime he witnessed one year before. This macabre visual feast employs bright bursts of magical realism, thrusting the story of Alvin’s strange and unhappy childhood raucously between past and present while unraveling the secrets behind the Fisher family mystery through music, memories, and murder.
Goodbye Cruel World (2012)
by Robert Ross Parker
directed by Bob Kruse
Scenic Design by Delia Baseman, Bob Kruse, Kate Nawrocki and Emily Schwartz
Lighting Design by Jordan Kardasz
Sound Design by Michael Huey
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Stage Management by Elissa Shortridge
Featuring:
Elizabeth Bagby, Scott Cupper, Brian Grey, Bob Kruse, Stuart Ritter, Jenifer Starewich, and Joseph Stearns
The Strange Tree Group is proud to play a part in the torturous production history of Nicolai Erdman's The Suicide, “a spectacular mixture of the ridiculous and the sublime” that caused Joseph Stalin to send its playwright straight to Siberia before the thing could ever be produced. Adapted by Robert Ross Parker of New York’s Obie Award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre, with the literal translation by Marina Raydun, GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD, crackles with comedy, costume changes and terrible tuba playing. In the vein of Strange Tree's 2010 Jeff Award-winning SHAKESPEARE'S KING PHYCUS, the ensemble is made up of six fearless actors portraying 22 distinctly different parts.
The Spirit Play (2011)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Jimmy McDermott
in Association with DCASE
Scenic Design by Joe Schermoly
Lighting Design by Jordan Kardasz
Sound Design by Michael Huey
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Stage Management by Kathy Mountz
Featuring:
Cory Aiello, Elizabeth Bagby, Delia Baseman, Scott Cupper, Michael Downey, Jenifer Henry, Matt Holzfeind, Carolyn Klein, Bob Kruse, Jennifer Marschand,
Kate Nawrocki, Marty Scanlon, Kay Schmitt, Karen Shimmin
Seances, spirit mediums and supernatural occurrences took Victorian-era America by storm, as otherwise sensible people grasped at any means to reach out to their loved-ones on the other side. In the insular, upper-class world of 1870s Chicago, three scheming charlatans prey on the rich with elaborate tricks and magic during well-rehearsed séances. But when young Jane, the so-called medium, begins to receive unexpected communications from the dead, her world takes a stunning turn.
The Three Faces of Doctor Crippen (2011)
Production Galleries 1, 2, 3 & 4
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Jimmy McDermott
in Association with Steppenwolf Garage Rep
Scenic Design by Kate Nawrocki
Lighting Design by Jordan Kardasz
Music Direction by Elizabeth Bagby
Sound Design by Michael Huey
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Choreography by Lindsey Frattare
Stage Management by Kathy Mountz
Featuring:
Cory Aiello, Delia Baseman, Scott Cupper, Weston Davis, Carol Enoch, Jenifer Henry, Matt Holzfeind, Bob Kruse, Jennifer Marschand, Kate Nawrocki, and Stuart Ritter
A world premiere that resurrects what was once the most famous criminal investigation the world has ever known: the calamitously comedic tale of Dr. H. H. Crippen, England's most notoriously inept cellar murderer. Chased across the sea by destiny and Marconi's wireless telegraph, this factual (and fanciful) turn of the century tragedy explores three versions of the life and death of this homicidal homeopath. The Strange Tree Group returns to its Grand Guignol roots with this marvelously macabre tale about how NOT to rid yourself of a wife.
The War Plays (2010)
Production Galleries 1, 2, 3 & 4
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Kate Nawrocki
Scenic Design by John Wilson
Lighting Design by Scott Pillsbury
Music Direction by Jennifer Marschand
Sound Design by Noah Ginex
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Choreography by Lindsey Frattare
Stage Management by Kathy Mountz
Featuring:
Elizabeth Bagby, Delia Baseman, Patrick Cannon, Scott Cupper, Weston Davis, Noah Ginex, Jenifer Henry, Bob Kruse, Jennifer Marschand, Michael Mercier, Marty Scanlon, Karen Shimmin, and Thomas Zeitner
In the lead up to WWII, a young couple dances knowing it may be their last night together, while across the sea, as bombs rain down on London town, two lost souls discover each other in the most unlikely place. Years later, after being torn apart by war and circumstance, old lovers find themselves with one more chance to get it right. Woven together through music, movement, and the words of resident playwright, Emily Schwartz, THE WAR PLAYS explores what it means to fall in love when the world is falling apart.
Shakespeare's King Phycus (2010)
by Tom Willmorth
directed by Ira Amyx
in Association With Lord Chamberlain's Men
Scenic Design by Jay Neander
Lighting Design by Julian Pike
Music Direction by Elizabeth Bagby
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Fight Choreography by David Samo
Stage Management by Rebekha T. Johnson
Featuring:
Elizabeth Bagyby, Delia Basemen, Wes Clark, Scott Cupper, Michael T. Downey, Carolyn Klein, Bob Kruse, and Stuart Ritter
All is not well in the state of The Building Stage. Queen Gertrude is dead; King Phycus is blinded; Hamlet’s nauseous sister Juliet is being wed against her will to the cloying, hunchbacked Gloucester whilst her one true love, the Roman Romeo, assists Brutus in plotting the ruination of the English throne. Join us as the flat-footed charlatans of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men combine forces with the visionary roustabouts of The Strange Tree Group to present an Elizabethan tragedy of (ahem) ‘Shakespearean’ proportions. A cast of six Strange Tree stalwarts take on six blended tragedies, thirty-one parts, forty location changes and one enormous sword-swinging battle of twenty thousand men in this world premiere send up of Shakespeare's first (and possibly worst) tragedy: SHAKESPEARE’S KING PHYCUS!
Hey! Mr. Spaceman! (2009)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Bob Kruse
Music and Lyrics by Emily Schwartz
Music Direction by Tom Mackey
Videography by Allan Roysdon
Scenic Design by Ira Amyx
Lighting Design by Julian Pike
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Choreography by Lindsey Frattare
Aerial Choreography by Beth Stare
Stage Management by Sarah Luse
Featuring:
Corey Aiello, Todd Aiello, Marvin Astorga, Elizabeth Bagby, Delia Basemen, Wes Clark, Weston Davis, Michael T. Downey, Liesl Downey, Charles Filipov, Noah Ginex, Jenifer, Henry, Bob Kruse, Kate Nawrocki, Stuart Ritter, Sarah Scanlon, Beth Stare, and Thomas Zeitner
When a robot boy escapes his vicious Martian captors and flees to the surface of earth, the town of Riverview, Illinois believes itself to be under attack. As local teens attempt to save themselves from the horror of villainous space-invaders, one lonely earth girl discovers that you don't need a human heart to love. Come and join us as we transform The Building Stage into the Riverview Drive-In Movie Theatre. Gaze amazed as Martian women dangle precariously above the stage, taste the flavors of the 50's at our nostalgic "SnackShack", bop along to songs about annihilation, love and lasers performed by our hep house band and experience TERROR! TERROR! TERROR! in 3 outstanding dimensions as live performers scare up a hearty dose of Halloween fun mere feet from your own seat!
The Dastardly Ficus and Other Comedic Tales of Woe and Misery (2009)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Amanda Berg Wilson
Scenic Design by Kate Nawrocki and Emily Schwartz
Lighting Design by John Horan
Costume Design by Delia Baseman
Sound Design by Kate Nawrccki and Emily Schwartz
Stage Management by Bridget Dougherty
Featuring:
Scott Cupper, Carol Enoch, and Nancy Friedrich
THE DASTARDLY FICUS by Emily Schwartz, is a dark and strangely amusing piece comprised of four stories involving the Derbyshire sisters, who are timeless, devious, and not altogether of sound mind. Inside the confines of their antiquated home, the two spinsters display a simmering malice towards one another, seemingly determined to slowly drive each other mad. But in fact, their story is one of love and companionship, as the two recluses keep each other amused with highly imaginative games. It is a heartfelt menagerie of severed heads, lemon pound cake, and cat funerals.
The Mysterious Elephant and the Terrible Tragedy of the Unlikely Addington Twins... Who Kill Him (2008)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Carolyn Klein
in Assoiation With Max Wagner
Music and Lyrics by Emily Schwartz
Music Direction by Jackie Jasperson
Scenic Design by Galen Pejeau
Lighting Design by Julian Pike
Costume Design by The Strange Tree Group
Stage Management by Amanda Dravecky-Kulczewski
Featuring:
Elizabeth Bagby, Delia Baseman, Scott Cupper, Stephen Dale, Weston Davis, Carol Enoch, Jenifer Henry, Matt Holzfeind, Bob Kruse, Tom Mackey, Jennifer Marschand, Kate Nawrocki, and Thomas Zeitner
From the wickedly whimsical imagination of Emily Schwartz comes the tale of the horribly unlucky Addington twins and their quest to extract themselves from the tragic story in which they've been currently placed. Throughout the evening Esther and Edward Addington endeavor to triumph over their narrator, raise the dead, showcase a series of terrible events through song, empathize with unusual puppets, confront weapon-wielding maidens and rescue a rather large mechanical elephant from the jaws of certain doom. All in under two human hours! Prepare yourself and your familiars to be both amazed and delighted!
Crucible the Musible (2007)
Production Gallery 1
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Kara Klein
in Association with Aloft Aerial Dance
Scenic Design by Ira Amyx and The Strange Tree Group
Aerial Choreography by Shayna Swanson
Costume Design by Jennifer Marschand
Featuring:
Ira Amyx, Delia Baseman, Megan Baskin, Wes Clark, Scott Cupper, Weston Davis, Jenifer Henry, Carolyn Klein, Elizabeth Lark-Riley, Laura Lippert, Tom Mackey, Jennifer Marschand, Kate Nawrocki, Sarah Scanlon, Emily Schwartz, and Thomas Zeitner
Welcome to the village of "Little Lesser Salem" in Humboldt Park circa 1692! All is unwell in Humboldt Park. There truly are witches afoot! And overhead! And probably hiding underneath your bed! This town is mightily accursed by black magic and it seems no matter how many witches Giles Corey Feldman chooses to accuse this peaceful hamlet will not become un-hexed! When Gabigale Grayson (and several other utterly hopeless young girls) aims to dance the night away under the stars, they conjure up much more than the ogling eyes of village do-gooder Ron Schlacter could ever imagine!
Mr. Spacky the Man Who Was Continuously Followed by Wolves (2007)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Carolyn Klein
in Assoiation With Max Wagner and Les Kruse
Music and Lyrics by Emily Schwartz
Scenic Design by Sarah McMurray
Lighting Design by Julian Pike
Costume Design by Emily Schwartz
Stage Management by Amanda Dravecky-Kulczewski
Featuring:
Scott Cupper, Wes Clark, Weston Davis, Carol Enoch, Kara Klein, Tom Mackey, Jennifer Marschand, Kate Nawrocki, Zack Sigelko, Mark Verne and Thomas Zeitner
This Macabre Murder-Muzical introduces Miss Elizabeth Lyonn, a hapless frilly-hatted bride to be, fleeing the city to escape a terrible war and marry a man she very recently met. However, calamity ensues when her fiancé vanishes without a trace leaving Elizabeth to languish in the country cottage of his deviously demented sister Agatha and her especially unsettling “daughter” Edwina. There, amid attempts by the town’s only minister (Mr. Oliver Spacky) to murder her behind the manor house, a camp of injured soldiers sing, dance, and play their way into retelling the story of Miss Lyonn’s humorously horrible journey, replete with banjos, mandolins, washboards, and accordions.
Ghost Stories! Featuring The Horrible Deaths Of Several Unfortunately Unfortunate Brides To Be . . . On Trapeze (2006)
Production Gallery 1
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Kara Klein
in Assoiation With Aloft Aerial Dance
Featuring:
The Strange Tree Group & Friends
and
Aloft Aerial Dance
Edward Gorey meets the Ringling Bros. in this tale of murdered brides on trapeze. A joint production by the Strange Tree Group and Aloft Aerial Dance, GHOST STORIES! features a few comically sinister men -- serial seducer-killer Mr. Spacky and his hunchback sidekick -- and a whole flock of bloodstained females in tattered bridal attire. Best about the show is its cozy air of the harem: the brides bicker and compete but also giggle at and gang up on Mr. Spacky, whose efforts to control them generally fail.
Funeral Wedding, The Alvin Play (2006)
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Kerstin Broockmann and Jesse Geiger
in Association Scott Dray Productions
Scenic Design by Kris Stengrevics
Lighting Design by Jared Moore
Costume Design by Emily Schwartz
Stage Management by Jenifer Henry
Featuring:
Matt Holzfiend, Carol Enoch, Jennifer Marschand, Ira Amyx, Kara Klein, Kate Nawrocki, Les Kruse and Scott Cupper
An incredible tale of a most unusual character, FUNERAL WEDDING: THE ALVIN PLAY follows the story Alvin Fisher, a paper-flower-obsessed recluse haunted by the memory of a horrible crime he witnessed one year before.
The Dastardly Ficus and Other Comedic Tales of Woe and Misery (2004)
Production Gallery 1
by Emily Schwartz
directed by Kerstin Broockmann
in Assoiation Scott Dray Productions
Featuring:
Scott Cupper, Carol Enoch, and Kara Klein
The Dastardly Ficus is a dark and strangely amusing piece comprised of four stories involving the Derbyshire sisters, who are timeless, devious, and not altogether of sound mind. Inside the confines of their gothic house, the two spinsters display a simmering malice towards one another, seemingly determined to slowly drive each other mad. But in fact, their story is one of love and companionship, as the two recluses keep each other amused with highly imaginative games. Along their morbid misadventures, the Derbyshires fall in love with a severed head, hold funeral services for an unknown road-kill cat, fight off a battalion of banditos, and terrorize a gentlemen caller with hidden knives, all while conniving to outsmart a very untrustworthy ficus.
All Poster Art from 2008 to Current is the work of Phineas X. Jones!