by Caryl Churchill
directed by Linda Gillum
CHICAGO PREMIERE
at American Theatre Company
October 13 – November 16, 1997
Joseph Jefferson Citations
Costume Design – Carol Cox, Jennifer Keller, Sarah Laleman, Beth Nowak, Christine Pascual
Puppetry and Masks – B. Emil Boulos, Joe Foust, Andrew Leman, Nick Offerman, Sean Sinitski, Christopher Thometz
After Dark Award
Overall Technical Achievement
“An ensemble work in every aspect… They’ve put on one hell of a show.”
Chicago Tribune
“Defiant Theatre has essentially created a dark puppet extravaganza.”
Chicago Sun-Times
“***1⁄2 The eerie tale is wrapped in a keen and often inspired visual design.”
Gay Chicago Magazine
Lock up your children. An ancient and damaged shape-shifter known as the Skriker desperately needs a human child. Pity poor Josie, who once murdered her baby to save it from the Skriker, and Lily, now pregnant. A terrible once-upon-a-time unfolds as paranormal forces clash with a world that denies enchantment.
Behind the Scenes Photos by Greg Nishimura
Setting
Underworld
British Isles
Cast
The Skriker … Barb Wruck Thometz
Josie … Michelle Primeaux
Lily … Lisa Rothschiller
Johnny Squarefoot … Jim Slonina
Piglike Man … Chris Thometz
Kelpie … John De Leonardis
Man with Cloth and Bucket … Will Schutz
Yallery Brown … Jonathan Watkins
Passerby … Cherise Silvestri
Girl with Telescope … Rebecca Rubenstein
Bogle … Sean Sinitski
Green Lady … Amanda Clower
Brownie … Khristine Shields
Spriggan … Jim Slonina
Woman with Kelpie … Julie Cohen
Dead Child … Ema Tuennerman
Fair Fairy … Christopher Johnson
Dark Fairy … Richard Ragsdale
Rowheadandbloodybones … Christopher Johnson
… Chris Thometz
… Jonathan Watkins
Black Dog … Kati Brazda
Girl in Park … Ema Tuennerman
Nellie Longarms … Sean Sinitski
Jennie Greenteeth … Amanda Clower
Radiant Boy … Christopher Johnson
Black Annis … Richard Ragsdale
Hag … Julie Cohen
Hag Operator … Chris Thometz
Lost Girl … Khristine Shields
Underworld Keyboard Faerie … Stefanie Caterer
Businessmen with Thrumpis … Christopher Johnson
… Richard Ragsdale
… Sean Sinitski
… Chris Thometz
Girl with Violin … Ema Tuennerman
Blue Men of the Minch … Julie Cohen
… Christopher Johnson
… Richard Ragsdale
… Khristine Shields
… Sean Sinitski
… Jonathan Watkins
Picnic Family … Amanda Clower
… Chris Thometz
… Ema Tuennerman
Granddaughter … Kati Brazda
Great-great-granddaughter … Rebecca Rubenstein
Understudies
Josie … Adria Dawn
Lily … Khristine Shields
Johnny Squarefood, Spriggan … Tony Hernandez
Production Team
Assistant Director … Richard Ragsdale
Stage Manager … Erin Wenzel
Assistant Stage Manager … Stefanie Caterer
Dramaturg … Julie Dubiner
Technical Director … Nick Offerman
Set Design … Richard Mahaney
… Nick Offerman
Lighting Design … B. Emil Boulos
Sound and Score Design … Brian Callahan
… Matt Callahan
Costume Design … Carol Cox
… Jen Keller
… Sarah Laleman
… Christine Pascual
Original Songs … Paul Adelstein
Choreographer … Lisa Baer
Creature Design … B. Emil Boulos
… Joe Foust
… Andrew Leman
… Nick Offerman
… Sean Sinitski
… Chris Thometz
Carpenters … B.J. Cofman
… Dave Denman
… John DeLeonardis
… Stephen Kruse
… Martin McClendon
… Greg Tatro
… Jonathan Watkins
Scenic Painter … Kate Buddeke
Stitcher … Randall Lerquin
Dressers … Stefanie Caterer
… Adria Dawn
… Jennifer Gehr
… Amy Wilhoite
Los Angeles Mask Posse … Pat Roberts
… John Schnepp
… Tamara McDonough
Dialect Consultants … Gillian Lane-Plescia
… Christine Sevec-Johnson
Stunt Coordinators … Joe Foust
… Julie Greenberg
… Jeff Jenkins
Magic Consultant … Jim Krenz
Outreach … Heidi Gottcent
Illustration … Kumera Designs, NYC
Photography … Michael Brosilow