Chicago Immersive marks its first full production with Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle by the team that created last year's hit show Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, December 1 – January 5, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Blvd. in Evanston. Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle is based on a concept by Anderson Lawfer, Nicole Bloomsmith, Becca Braun and Jacqueline Stone, with direction by Jacqueline Stone. Opening/Press performance is Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. The performance schedule is Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Please note: there is no show Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $25 and are available at ChicagoImmersive.com or by calling the Chicago Immersive office, 773.236.2172.
A glimpse into a family's traditions, celebrations and struggles over generations, Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle is an interfaith immersive experience designed for families of all beliefs, for those who like to solve puzzles and riddles, celebrate with friends, time travel and just be a part of an exciting story. This production is 55 minutes and is recommended for people of all ages.
Director Stone said, “Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle is a new immersive holiday show, celebrating home, family and the traditions that bring us together. I could not be more excited to be collaborating on a world premiere adventure that centers audience members of all ages in the heart of the action. Audiences time travel, sing and dance, and even enjoy a holiday surprise at the end! This heartwarming and hilarious production has been handcrafted by educators and theatre professionals with more than 20 years of experience dedicated to creating empowering and enriching arts experiences with young people."
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Chicago Immersive and hosting their Hanukkah production this holiday season,” added Marie O’Brien, parish administrator of Grace Lutheran. “Grace Lutheran is dedicated to creating a space for interfaith connection and dialogue in Evanston and beyond.”
The cast of Chicago Immersive's Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle includes: Andrew Bailes^, Nicole Bloomsmith+, Becca Braun+, Dan Cobbler^, Mikey Gray+, Anderson Lawfer^, Laura Nelson+ and Julian Stroop*
Grace and The Hanukkah Miracle's production team includes: Jacqueline Stone+, director; Manuel Ortiz^, technical director; John Wilson^, scenic designer; Rachel Sypniewski+, costume designer; Daniel Friedman^, lighting designer; Jeffrey Levin^, sound designer; Shuai Chen+, puzzle consultant, Harbour Coat Design, poster design and Liam Collier^, stage manager.
Cast and crew key: ^ he/him/his + she/her/hers * they/them/theirs
Top row: (L to R) Anderson Lawfer, Andrew Bailes, Becca Braun and Dan Cobbler
Borrom row: (L to R) Julian Stroop, Laura Nelson, Mikey Gray and Nicole Bloomsmith
ABOUT JACQUELINE STONE, director and co-creator
Jacqueline Stone is the artistic director of Emerald City Theatre (ECT), Chicago's largest professional theatre serving young audiences and entering its 24th season. Some past favorite ECT directing credits include Fantastic Mr. Fox, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Snowy Day, and Mother Goose’s Garden. Stone is also the co-founder and artistic director of TUTA Theatre, the critically acclaimed Chicago company known for producing experimental and sensory driven international works. Most recently, she directed the Off-Broadway premiere of Adam Rapp's Edge of Our Bodies at 59E59 Theatres. In 2020, Stone will direct the world premiere of Yangsook Choi's The Name Jar at ECT and adapt and direct a world premiere of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler with live music at TUTA. Over the past 20 years Stone has acted, directed and taught theatre all over the United States, including ten years at The Second City and five years at Columbia College Chicago.
ABOUT ANDERSON LAWFER, artistic director and co-creator
Anderson Lawfer served as co-artistic director of Strawdog Theatre Company from 2016-2019. He was the artistic director of Hugen Hall from 2012-2016 and focused on new works, adapting and directing Pontypool, Fail/Safe and Kill Shakespeare. He is the creator and host of many late night shows including Theatre Wars!, The Direct Off! and The Game Show Show and Stuff! Lawfer recently directed the Guarino/Langford musical Take Me and the hit Halloween immersive experience Masque Macabre at Strawdog Theatre Company.
ABOUT NICOLE BLOOMSMITH, founder and co-creator
Nicole Bloomsmith is an actor, co-adaptor (Fail/Safe), eponymous cabaret host (Nikki and The City) and as a singer/songwriter and recording artist, she celebrated the release of her debut album Find Me. She studied as a Belushi Acting Scholar at College of DuPage. Stage credits include Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, The Hypocrites, Strawdog Theatre Company and many others.
ABOUT BECCA BRAUN, script supervisor and co-creator
Becca Braun is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, where she double majored in Theatre and Music and minored in Musical Theatre. Select credits include TAKE ME (Strawdog Theatre Company), Chicago Afterdark (Artistic Conspiracy), The Big Black Box Serial (Just RANTing the Blues), Anniversary, The Wild Party (Lippa) and Gruesome Playground Injuries (Miami University). Braun is currently the casting assistant for Valiant Theatre.
ABOUT CHICAGO IMMERSIVE
Chicago Immersive (CI) is a new company from the co-creator of the hit immersive show Masque Macabre. CI is dedicated to bringing a new style of immersive theatre to Chicago and the midwest. Focusing on full immersion and inclusion, it includes aspects of escape rooms, cognitive problem solving and theatre to create an epic experience.
Chicago Immersive marks its first full production with Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle by the team that created last year's hit show Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins, December 1 – January 5, 2020 at Grace Lutheran Church, 1430 South Blvd. in Evanston. Grace and the Hanukkah Miracle is based on a concept by Anderson Lawfer, Nicole Bloomsmith, Becca Braun and Jacqueline Stone, with direction by Jacqueline Stone. Opening/Press performance is Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. The performance schedule is Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Please note: there is no show Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $25 and are available at ChicagoImmersive.com or by calling the Chicago Immersive office, 773.236.2172.
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Chicago Immersive
Grace and The Hanukkah Miracle
by Jacqueline Stone, Anderson Lawfer, Nicole Bloomsmith, Becca Braun
Direction by Jacqueline Stone
Music Direction by Nicole Bloomsmith
December 1, 2019 - January 5, 2020
Grace Lutheran
1430 South Boulevard, Evanston, IL
Preview: Saturday, Nov. 30 at 4 p.m.
Opening Night: Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.
The regular run performance schedule:
Saturdays at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m.
There is no performance Sunday, Dec. 15
Running time is 55 minutes with no intermission
Ticket Price: $25
Website: chicagoimmersive.com
Twitter: @chiimmersive
Facebook @chicagoimmersive