The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the first production of The Factory’s 29th season, Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story, November 3 - December 16, written by Chase Wheaton-Werle and directed by Becca Holloway. Previews for Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story are Friday, Nov. 3, Saturday and Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov 5 at 3 p.m. The Press Opening is Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. and the performance schedule through Dec. 16 is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. including an understudy performance on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. and an accessibility performance on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. Note: No performances on Thursday Nov. 23 - Sunday, Nov. 26. Tickets for Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.
The year is 0. A brand new star appears in the sky. Three religious scholars thrust together by fate must embark on a race against time to catch the birth of God (or, wait, is it the Son of God. Both? Neither?). To get there, they'll have to endure perilous deserts, cutthroat bandits, the mad puppet king of Judea, and most of all... each other. It's Bethlehem or Bust in this road trip comedy 2,023 years in the making.
Launch Party: Wednesday Sept. 13, 6 - 10 p.m. at The Factory Theater with refreshments, live entertainment and readings from three of the 2023-2024 productions. Admission is free.
The Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story cast includes Harrison Lampert+ (Adriano/Herod); Lizzy Mosher* (Rhys); Josh Razavi+ ✝ (Melchior); Michael Jones+∽ (Balthazar); Shail Modi+ (Gaspar); Ashley Yates*~ (Gabriel); Amber Washington*✝ (Ensemble & Balthazar U/S); Sripadh Pulligilla+ (Ensemble & Gaspar U/S); Liam Ryan+ (Adriano/Herod & Gabriel U/S); Lynda Cortez^ (Rhys/Mary U/S); Rachel A. Kim* (Ensemble U/S)
The Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story production team includes Chase Wheaton-Werle~ (playwright); Becca Holloway~ (Director); Emily Marrazzo (Assistant Director); Amanda Grissom (Stage Manager); Shelby Burgus ✝ (Production Manager); Manny Ortiz ✝ (Scenic Design); Ellie Humphrys ✝ (Light Design); Isaac Mandel (Sound Design); Henry Bender (Props Design); Cindy Moon (Costume Design); CW Van Baale~ (Master Electrician); Carl Herzog (Tech Director).
~ denotes Factory Ensemble, ✝ denotes Factory Artistic Associate,
**Denotes Factory Theater Ensemble Emeritus
Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)
ABOUT CHASE WHEATON-WERLE, playwright
Wheaton-Werle + is a proud member of the Factory Theater ensemble as well as the company's Ensemble Manager. He is thrilled to have his show Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story kicking off Season 29. His mainstage factory credits include Prophet$, Oh, Sh#t It's Haunted, Last Night in Karaoke Town, and The HOA. Non-mainstage Factory performances include comedy/poetry with Factory After Dark, performing in The Factory Zone, and writing and directing for the 2020 digital Holiday Show. Outside of the Factory, Chase has performed with Chicago Theater Works, Teatro Vista, Hell in a Handbag, Big Noise, and Broken Nose.
ABOUT BECCA HOLLOWAY, director
Holloway^, a Factory Ensemble member since 2021, is a director and casting director around the city. She is thrilled to direct both Wise Guys and Die Hard 4 Your Luv this season. Previous Factory credits include The Kelly Girls (Production Manager), Last Night in Karaoke Town (2020/2022; AD/music director/choreographer), The Hamilton Beach 420 Special (The 2021 Factory Holiday Show; director), The Factory Zone (Performer) and Prophet$! (AD/choreographer). Holloway is also a proud company member of Red Theater where she is the resident casting director and curates a monthly reading series showcasing local Chicago playwrights and composers. She has worked on the directing teams of several companies including: Hell in a Handbag, Broken Nose Theater, Oil Lamp Theater, Theatre Evolve, The Comrades, Refuge Theatre, and many others.
ABOUT THE FACTORY THEATER
For 30 years, the Factory has created its shows from scratch, doing exactly the kind of theater they wanted to do. From writing workshops to the closing night bash, Factory shows are a unique experience that fits its exacting standards: original, bold, and full-tilt. Its shameless ensemble are ambassadors of a good time, making certain that Chicago remains heartily entertained.
The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard St., is proud to announce the production of Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story, November 3 - December 16, written by Chase Wheaton-Werle and directed by Becca Holloway. Previews for Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story are Friday, Nov. 3, Saturday and Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov 5 at 3 p.m. The Press Opening is Thursday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. and the performance schedule through Dec. 16 is Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. including an understudy performance on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. and an accessibility performance on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. Note: No performances on Thursday Nov. 23 - Sunday, Nov. 26. Tickets for Wise Guys: The First Christmas Story are $25 and may be purchased through the Box Office by calling 312-275-5757 or by visiting TheFactoryTheater.com.