Stage Left Theatre announces their upcoming production of MAN OF THE PEOPLE - a new play by Dolores Díaz and directed by Anna Bahow. The show is Díaz’s anticipated new work since ZULEMA, produced by Goodman Theatre in 2021. Performances take place at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642. Press opening is Tuesday, October 25 at 8:00pm. The show runs through November 20th.
THE PLAY
A charlatan doctor rises to power by peddling a radical remedy in the days before medical regulation in the United States. MAN OF THE PEOPLE explores the U.S. love affair with charlatans and their existence in the space between symptom and cause of public folly.
MAN OF THE PEOPLE is inspired by the true story of John Brinkley, an American “doctor” that grew to notoriety for selling a cure for male impotence in the 1920s. Bolstered to fame through radio, Brinkley earned the adoration of many but made an enemy of Chicago’s Dr. Morris Fishbein, editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association who sought to hold him accountable for his quackery. Despite numerous attempts to thwart him, Brinkley wriggled away from consequence, creating his own reality, and announcing his political candidacy before the final showdown with Fishbein.
“This American story examines one of the great vices ingrained in the nation since its infancy,” says Díaz, “what Charlatan author, Pope Brock, refers to as that ‘perverse seam in the American mind’ that not only tolerates hucksters, but embraces them.”
Artistic Director Bobbi Masters says, “Stage Left Theatre is very excited to present this relevant new play at this critical time in American democracy.”
“The play reflects America’s current political and social climate as inspired through our past,” says Díaz. “Debates include faith versus proof and the potential dangers versus possibilities of new technologies. Themes include the dangers of ignorance; power and corruption; greed as downfall; and progress as real or illusory.”
“Stage Left Theatre’s 41 year history has never been shy about advancing conversation about the important topics of the day through the plays we present to our audience members,” says Masters. “Our return to in-person theatre with MAN OF THE PEOPLE is no exception.”
TICKETS, DATES & INFORMATION
MAN OF THE PEOPLE runs over five weeks with two previews and eighteen performances (times are all Central Time):
- Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 8:00pm (Preview Performance) $25
- Monday, October 24, 2022 at 8:00pm (Preview Performance) $25
- Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 8:00pm (Opening Night) $40
- Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 8:00pm $35
- Friday, October 28, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 2:00pm $35
- Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 8:00pm $35
- Friday, November 4, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 2:00pm $35
- Monday, November 7, 2022 at 8:00pm $25 (Industry Night)
- Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 8:00pm $35
- Friday, November 11, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 2:00pm $35
- Monday, November 14, 2022 at 8:00pm $25 (Understudy performance)
- Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 8:00pm $35
- Friday, November 18, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 8:00pm $40
- Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 2:00pm $35
Tickets range from $35 to $40. Student tickets are reduced by $25 with coupon code “Student” and are available online through the Stage Left website www.stagelefttheatre.com For questions or assistance, email tix@stagelefttheatre.com or call 773-883-8830.
THE PEOPLE
Dolores Díaz (Playwright) (she/her) is a Chicago-based Chicana playwright originally from the border city of Laredo, Texas. Most recently, Goodman Theatre produced ZULEMA (2021)—in partnership with Sones de México, the Chicago Park District, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA), and the National Museum of Mexican Art—the show toured the Chicago Parks District with a finale in Millennium Park. Díaz is currently a resident at Chicago Dramatists and most recently served as a playwriting resident at TimeLine Theatre. Dolores has taught students at Columbia College Chicago, Texas Tech University, Northwestern University, and various Chicago public schools. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s MFA Program in Writing for the Screen and Stage and serves as a Dramatists Guild Representative in Chicago.
Anna C Bahow (Director) is an award-winning Chicago-based theatre director committed to developing new work and a diversity of voices. She is an Artistic Associate with Silk Road Rising -foregrounding Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern artists, an Associate Artist with The International Voices Project -bringing plays from around the world to Chicago, an Associate Artist at Chicago Dramatists, and a member of Promethean Theatre. Her productions have received JEFF Awards for New Work and Use of Multimedia. She was a directing fellow at the Goodman Theatre and a recipient of a 3ARTS WAVE Grant and several Chicago Individual Artist Grants. AnnaBahow.com
The ensemble cast features Andrew Bosworth, Robert Koon, Joan Nahid, Michael Peters, Shawn Smith, and Sandy Spatz.
The production team includes: Kyle Aschbrenner - Assist. Director/Stage Manager, Eric Cope - Production Manager, Jonathan Berg-Einhorn - Technical Director / Scenic Designer, Ellie Humphrys - Lighting Designer, Andrés Mota - Costume Designer, Charlie Baker - Intimacy Designer, Hannah Foerschler - Sound Designer, and Bobbi Masters - Artistic Director.
ABOUT STAGE LEFT
Founded in 1982, Stage Left Theatre is committed to nurturing voices for the American theatre by developing and producing engaging and relevant theatre for an inclusive industry by highlighting unheard voices, stories, and perspectives. Through a full subscription season and our new play development program, Downstage Left, Stage Left strives to ask provocative social and political questions by producing a mix of new works, regional premieres, and timeless classics.