4 Chairs Theatre’s Four Places
by Joel Drake Johnson
Four Places, deceptively simple and unfolding in real time, is an emotionally precise play that employs its spare components to devastating and darkly comic effect. A middle-aged brother and sister have gotten word from their elderly parents' caretaker that they may be a danger to each other. The brother joins his sister and mother on their weekly lunch date, hoping that he and his sister can get a clearer picture of the situation. As the mother confronts the indignities of age, and the children stare down a mounting list of losses and disappointments, a harrowing image of the family emerges. Johnson explores the ways that familial love and knowledge create both hurt and comfort.
Joel Drake Johnson (December 28, 1949-January 11,2020) was a brilliant and treasured Chicago playwright, teacher and mentor. He and his plays left an indelible mark on our hearts. Among them are: Rasheeda Speaking, A Fall to Earth, A Blue Moon, Before My Eyes, and The End of the Tour.
In Martha Lavey’s wise words: “Joel Johnson is a playwright. Straight up. He brings people onto the stage who have no way of telling their stories except by being themselves. And then he clears a space for them to talk and behave in a way that is entirely natural. Deeply idiosyncratic, and heartbreakingly revealing. And funny. And sad. And human. Joel’s generosity toward what is broken in the human heart is his gold. Giving that brokenness its eloquence is his gift.”
Ticket info: (Coming soon!)
Location of show: Bramble Arts Loft, (The Berry Black Box), 5545 N. Clark St. 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60640
Dates: Running October 16-November 2
Schedule: Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 3pm
The Cast: Valerie Gorman (Peggy), Andrea Uppling (Ellen), Michael Stejskal (Warren). Amber Dow (Barb). The Understudies: Julie Mitre (Peggy), Amber Dow (Ellen), Nick Arceo (Warren), Amy Torf (Barb)
Joining Lauren Berman (Producer/Director), is Lauren Miller (Assistant Producer) Amanda Tancioco Rokosz (Stage Manager), Bob Pinta (Set Designer), Elliot DePappe (Lighting Designer), Anika Splettstoeszer (Costume Designer), Aaron Harris Woodstein (Sound Designer), Helen Neppl (Props Designer), Mary McMurray (Assistant Director), MJ Deamon (Intimacy Designer), Adam Herbert (Crew Technician).
4 Chairs Theatre’s Mission:
4 Chairs Theatre is a not-for-profit theatre committed to providing a safe space for actors and audiences of all ages, cultures, genders, races, abilities and walks of life. Our performances breathe humanity, empathy and truth. We amplify voices that are often excluded and uncover hearts that are often hidden. By replacing "You're too..." and “You'll never..." with "You're enough" and "You will…" we are determined to change the world, one show at a time. Pull up a chair. You can sit with us.
For questions, please contact Lauren Berman at: breakalegx4@gmail.com