Full cast and crew have been announced for Pride Films and Plays’ Chicago premiere of I PROMISED MYSELF TO LIVE FASTER, an intergalactic gay extravaganza featuring closeted extraterrestrials, high-stakes pursuits, and nuns from outer space. Director JD Caudill, who helmed last season’s production of SOUTHERN COMFORT, made the announcement today. In this wild work recommended for mature audiences, Tim’s out trolling for a good time when an order of intergalactic nuns charge him with a quest: retrieve the Holy Gay Flame from the clutches of the evil emperor Moody Garland to save the race of Homosexuals and restore the balance of power in the universe. But when he’s captured by the fabulously androgynous Ah-Ni, Tim’s chances look bleak. Ridiculous and delirious, this epic extravaganza of allegorical adventure redefines the search for identity for homosexuals circa 2015. The play, devised by Gregory S. Moss and Pig Iron Theatre Company, premiered at the 39th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays in Louisville, Kentucky in March 2015 and was performed in Philadelphia’s FringeArts Festival in May of that same year. Press opening is Monday, April 27 at 7:30 pm in The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, at 4139 N. Broadway.
Caudill’s cast will include Robert Williams (Tim), Tommy Bullington (Bishop Ahni), Taylor Dalton (Mother Superior), Chazie Bly (Nun 1), Katy Murphy (Nun 2), Jillian Leff (King Trout), and Bradley Halverson (Movie Star Boy). Understudies are TJ Crawford (u/s Tim), Stefan Brundage (u/s Ahni), Ryan Brown (u/s Mother Superior), Katie Incardona (u/s Nun 1), Josue David Camarena (u/s Nun 2), Colie Smigliani (u/s King Trout), and Kevin Sparrow (u/s Movie Star Boy).
Top row L-R: Robert Williams, Tommy Bullington, Taylor Dalton, Chazie Bly, Katy Murphy.
Middle row L-R: Jillian Leff, Bradley Halverson, TJ Crawford, Stefan Brundage, Ryan Brown.
Bottom row L-R: , Katie Incardona, Josue David Camarena, Colie Smigliani, Kevin Sparrow.
The production team includes Jamal Howard (Choreographer), Drew Donnelly (Stage Manager), David Lipschutz (Assistant Director), Connor Ellis (Assistant Stage Manager), Jeremy Hollis (Scenic Designer), Evan Sposato (Technical Director), Shelbi Arndt (Lighting Designer), Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Designer), Sydney Genco (Makeup Designer), Keith Ryan (Wig Designer), Carly Cason (Violence Director), Sarah Scanlon (Intimacy Director), JD Caudill & Chazie Bly (Sound Design), and Aaron Arbiter (Puppet Design).
All performances will be in The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway. Tickets are: $40 premium reserved seats, $30 general reserved seats, $5 discount for students and seniors and are on sale now at www.pridefilmsandplays.com
LISTING INFORMATION
I PROMISED MYSELF TO LIVE FASTER
Conceived and Created by Pig Iron Theatre Company
Text by Gregory S. Moss and Pig Iron
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Directed by JD Caudill
April 23 -May 31, 2020
Previews April 23-26; Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 pm, Sunday at 2:30 pm (all preview seats $20)
PRESS OPENING Monday, April 27 at 7:30 pm
Regular run April 30 - May 3l, 2020; Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm
The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
Ticket prices: $40 premium reserved seats, $30 general reserved seats, $5 discount for students and seniors
Tickets available by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or online at www.pridefilmsandplays.com
I PROMISED MYSELF TO LIVE FASTER is an intergalactic gay extravaganza featuring closeted extraterrestrials, high-stakes pursuits, and nuns from outer space. In this wild work, Tim’s out trolling for a good time when an order of intergalactic nuns charge him with a quest: retrieve the Holy Gay Flame from the clutches of the evil emperor Moody Garland to save the race of Homosexuals and restore the balance of power in the universe. But when he’s captured by the fabulously androgynous Ah-Ni, Tim’s chances look bleak. Ridiculous and delirious, this epic extravaganza of allegorical adventure redefines the search for identity for homosexuals circa 2015. This piece is recommended for mature audiences.
BIOS
Gregory S. Moss (Playwright) is a writer, educator and performer from Newburyport MA. His work has been produced at Playwrights Horizons, Soho Rep, Steppenwolf, La Comédie-Française, EST-LA, Clubbed Thumb, Capital T Theatre and South Coast Rep, among others. His plays include INDIAN SUMMER, PUNKPLAY, REUNION, BILLY WITCH, HOUSE OF GOLD and SIXSIXSIX.
JD Caudill (Director) is a Chicago-based director and music director. They have directed for Pride Films and Plays (SOUTHERN COMFORT), Broken Nose Theatre (BECHDEL FEST 4-6), Haven Theatre (JANE DOE 232 in Director’s Haven 2015), Stage Left (CERCLE HERMAPHRODITOS), The New Colony (FACE THE DAY), The Runaways Lab Theatre (DDADIS 2015-2017), Hobo Junction, 20% Theatre, Paragon Theatre, Otherworld Theatre, Arc Theatre, and Red Theatre. Additionally, they are a music director, having music directed FLIES! at Pride Films and Plays, STANLEY IN THE NAME OF LOVE at The New Colony, and six fabulous shows with Hell in a Handbag Productions. They are the literary manager of Broken Nose Theatre, an ensemble member of Hell in a Handbag Productions, and an artistic associate of Pride Films and Plays.
ABOUT PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS
Pride Films and Plays changes lives through the generation of diverse new work (or work that is new to Chicago) with LGBTQ+ characters or themes that is essential viewing for all audiences. The company produces a season of full productions, presents numerous special performances, film festivals, and festivals of readings. PFP is the principal tenant in Pride Arts Center.
Pride Arts Center, in its own right, produces events complementing the PFP vision, including dance, cabaret, film, and more. Events can be one-night or limited run productions or feature national treasures like Charles Busch. PAC occupies The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway, which has 85 seats, and The Buena, which has 50 seats at 4147 N Broadway.
Pride Films and Plays is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago’s City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation, Arts and Business Council, and Alphawood Foundation. PFP is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. Pride Films and Plays is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northhalsted Business Association, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatres.
For more information, visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com or call 773-857-0222