The Comrades today announced casting for its Midwest premiere of THE LAYOVER by Leslye Headland, author of the play and film, BACHELORETTE. THE LAYOVER is a look at power in marriage and seduction that was first seen at New York’s Second Stage Theater in 2016. It concerns a man and woman who meet as seatmates on a delayed flight from Chicago to New York and become more than that when forced to spend a hotel night in Chicago before their flight resumes.
THE LAYOVER will open in February under the direction of Drew Shirley, a Chicago-based director with extensive acting credits (with Chicago Shakespeare, Theater Wit, Remy Bumppo), as well as directing for companies out west including Utah Shakespeare Festival, Hermosa Beach Playhouse, and Southwest Shakespeare.
THE LAYOVER will open Saturday, February 22 following previews on Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21; and play through Sunday, March 22, 2020.
Playing the stranded Dex and Shellie will be Michael Vizzi and Allison Plott. Vizzi was seen recently in Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s Midwest premiere of Steven Dietz’s MAD BEAT HIP AND GONE, and Plott appeared in The Comrades’ ROAST and WARRIOR CLASS as well as Silk Road Rising’s THROUGH THE ELEVATED LINE. Also in the cast are Emma Jo Boyden (HAMLET at Chicago Shakespeare and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Drury Lane), Charlotte Hensley (AN INSPECTOR CALLS at Chicago Shakespeare), Jim Morley (SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION and INCIDENT AT VICHY at Redtwist and AS YOU LIKE IT at First Folio), and Joshua J. Volkers (THROUGH THE ELEVATED LINE at Silk Road Rising). Understudies will include Sarah-Lucy Hill and Peter Surma.
The production team will include Jenna Houck (Scenic Designer), Megan Beattie (Costume Designer), Derek Bertelsen (Props Designer), Lana Whittington (Intimacy/Violence Director), William Mobley (Composer/Sound Designer), Melanie Kulas (Production Stage Manager), and Kamren Smith (Assistant Director). Derek Bertelsen is The Comrades’ Artistic Director.
Tickets are $20 for regular performances ($10 for previews) and are on sale now at www.greenhousetheater.org or by phone at 773-404-7336.
LISTING INFORMATION
Midwest premiere
THE LAYOVER
by Leslye Headland
Directed by Drew Shirley
February 20 - March 22, 2020
Previews (All seats $10) Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21 at 7:30 pm
Press Opening Saturday, February 22 at 7:30 pm
Regular Run: Sunday, February 23 thru Sunday, March 22
Curtain times: Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:30pm
Greenhouse Theater Center. 2257 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Tickets $20 with discount for industry and students
Tickets available at https://www.greenhousetheater.org/ or by phone at 773-404-7336.
Performances at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
For more information, www.the-comrades.com/
About the show: Ever wonder who that stranger is sitting next to you? What is their story? What are they hiding? Shellie and Dex dare to answer these questions after their flight is delayed on a snowy Thanksgiving night. What they discover about themselves, and each other, sends both of their lives into upheaval. From the writer of BACHELORETTE and the hit Netflix series RUSSIAN DOLL comes this sexy psychological thriller.
BIOS
Leslye Headland (Playwright, THE LAYOVER) began her career writing and directing the Seven Deadly Plays series (IAMA Theatre Company) in LA. Her plays include BACHELORETTE, ASSISTANCE and THE LAYOVER, among others. BACHELORETTE was the basis for her 2012 directorial film debut which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Other film credits include writing the 2014 remake of ABOUT LAST NIGHT and writing/directing SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE starring Jason Sudeikis which also premiered at Sundance in 2015. TV credits include: TERRIERS, BLUNT TALK, HEATHERS, and (most recently) Netflix’s RUSSIAN DOLL.
Drew Shirley (Director, THE LAYOVER) is a director who loves his wife and his mastiff very much. He has most recently worked with Chicago Shakespeare, Theater Wit, Remy Bumppo, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, One Year Chekhov, Erasing The Distance, the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Southwest Shakespeare, and the Kingsmen Shakespeare company. He received his MFA in acting from the University of Illinois, and a BFA in theater from the University of Emporia. Drew won the Outstanding Director Award from StageScene LA for his production of Dennis Lehane's CORONADO and has directed a number of shows in Los Angeles and in Chicago.
ABOUT THE COMRADES
The Comrades were founded in January 2016. They are an ensemble-based theater company who create fun, vibrant, and engaging theater with a focus on revitalizing classics and producing area premieres that are relevant in today’s world. They are a resident company at the Greenhouse Theater Center.