Open Space Arts has announced a two-weekend extension of its production of LIGHT SWITCH, the hilarious and heartbreaking story of Henry, an autistic gay man, and his journey toward love and acceptance over the span of twenty years. The play, originally scheduled to close on September 29, will now play through Sunday, October 13. It opened on September 13, received a Jeff Recommendation, and was praised by Chicago Theatre Review’s Colin Douglas, who said,” The play never condescends or patronizes, but is honest and empathetic. Don’t miss this wonderful production.” BROADWAYWORLD’s Zac Thriffiley called it “a beautiful love story that is as enlightening as it is heartwarming.”
Director Michael D. Graham’s cast of five includes Phillip Andrew Monnett (Henry), Henry DelBello (Rogie), Hilary Hensler (Marian), Dylan McCumber (Aaron, Ken, Other Guy), and Peter Manuel Young (Joseph). Serving on the production team are Greta Zandstra (Intimacy Director), Shakir Mcthune (Assistant Director), Rick Paul (Set Design), Jason Palmer (Lighting Design), Adie Sutherland (Costume Design), Alex Kingsley (Sound Design and Original Music), Joey Bluhm (Stage Manager), and David Zak (Producer).
Hilary Hensler as Marian and Phillip Andrew Monnett as Henry. Photo by Tadhg Mitchel.
(L to R) Phillip Andrew Monnett as Henry, Peter Manuel Young as Joseph, and Henry DelBello as Rogie. Photo by Tadhg Mitchel.
(L-R) Phillip Andrew Monnett as Henry and Dylan McCumber as Aaron. Photo by Tadhg Mitchel.
LIGHT SWITCH is by Dave Osmundsen, an autistic gay writer. The play premiered in 2022 at the Spectrum Theatre Ensemble, a Providence, Rhode Island company with a mission to serve neurodiverse actors and playwrights and audiences, including those with sensory concerns.
Performances are at Open Space Arts’s hyper-intimate 20-seat theater at 1411 W Wilson, in Chicago. Individual play tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for students or seniors, and $15 for OSA members. OSA memberships, for $10 a month, offer discounted tickets to plays and in person film screenings, and free access to streaming shorts and mid length films. Individual tickets to LIGHT SWITCH are on sale now at https://www.goelevent.com/OpenSpaceArts/e/LIGHT-SWITCH. Memberships are on sale at https://www.goelevent.com/OpenSpaceArts/Membership/Sale . Information on all Open Space Arts events is available at https://openspacearts.org/ and Queer Expression Film Fest events at https://openspacearts.org/queer-expression.
OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and antisemitism through the transformative power of creativity and cultural expression. Our mission is to foster inclusivity, promote understanding, and empower marginalized communities by utilizing various artistic mediums to challenge discriminatory beliefs and attitudes. OSA has produced SUNSETS: TWO ACTS ON A BEACH, ROSENBERG, MASSAGE THERAPY, COCK, and THE KRAMER PROJECT in live performances, and produces the Pride Film Fest, a hybrid fest of streaming and in-person events, which runs from November 1 to July 1 annually. Open Space Arts is led by Directors Elayne LeTraunik and David Zak.
LISTING INFORMATION
LIGHT SWITCH
by Dave Osmundsen
CHICAGO PREMIERE
Directed by Michael D. Graham
September 13 – 29, 2024
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays 2 pm
Press opening Friday, September 13, 2024, at 7:30 pm
Open Space Arts
1411 W. Wilson Ave.,
Tickets $25.00 ($20 for seniors and students, $15 for OSA members),
Tickets available at
Website: www.openspacearts.org
Henry Sullivan, 27, single, gay, and autistic, lives his life vicariously through the heroes and heroines of the 19th-century British novels he devours. But no marriage plot has prepared him for dating as a contemporary gay man. When he meets a potential match in Joseph, every romantic notion of his will finally come true — or will it? Hilarious and heartbreaking, LIGHT SWITCH tells the story of one remarkable young man's journey toward love and acceptance over the span of twenty years.
BIOS
Dave Osmundsen (Playwright) is an autistic playwright and dramaturg whose work has been seen and developed at KCACTF Region 8, the Kennedy Center/NNPN MFA Playwrights Workshop, the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Purple Crayon Players, B Street Theatre, the William Inge Theatre Festival, the Midwest Dramatists Conference, Phoenix Theatre Company, Clamour Theatre Company, Premiere Stages, the Valdez Theatre Conference, and more. He was one of two recipients of the Blank Theatre and Ucross Foundation’s inaugural Future of Playwriting Prize. His play LIGHT SWITCH received its world premiere with Spectrum Theatre Ensemble in April 2022. LIGHT SWITCH was also the 2021 Distinguished Achievement recipient of the Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, an Honorable Mention finalist for BAPF 2021, longlisted for the Theatre503 International Playwriting Award, a finalist for the 2020 Carlo Annoni Playwriting Prize, and a semi-finalist for the 2020 National Playwrights Conference. His one-act, “A Firework Unexploded,” was a semi-finalist for the NYC Audio Theatre Writing Contest and was produced by Pint-Sized in London. His plays have been published by The Dionysian, Canyon Voices, Exposition Review, Fresh Words: Contemporary One Act Plays Volume 5, and Broadway Play Publishing. MFA: Arizona State University.
Michael D. Graham (Director) most recently directed ROSENBERG for Open Space Arts. He also directed Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s Jeff award-nominated MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION, and Pride Films and Plays' productions of CASA VALENTINA, HOLDING THE MAN, TEN DOLLAR HOUSE, and BARNEY THE ELF. Other favorite directing credits include: THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, THE MISANTHROPE, SMASH! (adapted from Shaw's THE UNSOCIAL SOCIALIST), PARALLEL LIVES, and THE MEMORY OF WATER for Piccolo Theatre; SPREADING THE NEWS (Halcyon Theatre), EXPATRIATES (the side project), METROPOLITAN OPERAS (ActOne Studios), THE YEARS (Appetite Theatre), and BUTLEY (Hubris Productions). In addition to directing, Michael has worked in the Chicago area as an actor, producer, playwright, dramaturg, dialect coach, and designer.
Henry DelBello (Rogie) is a fresh face in Chicago, having just graduated from Texas State University with a BFA in Theatre. Regional credits include Austin Shakespeare (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM) and k_e_r_n (FUNERAL PLAY) at The Den Theatre. Additionally, if you give fancy educational theatre, he did THREE SISTERS and SMALL MOUTH Sounds this year at TXST. You're welcome to 1) peruse his website @ henrydelbello.com and 2) stalk his Instagram @ henry_delbello.
Hilary Hensler (Marian) is happy to be working with Open Space Arts for the first time. Previous stage roles include Annie in A BUMP ON THE LEG, Kassia in A PRAYER FOR THE SANDINISTAS (Subtext Theater); Melissa in ESCAPE ROUTE, Emily in THIS IS TO MOTHER YOU (Broken Nose Theatre); Mary Wood in THE VIRGINIAN, Laura Lyons in THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (CityLit Theatre); Gladys in LITTLE STONES, Peggy in THE FRONT PAGE (Saint Sebastian Players); Bride in LAST STOP, Kendra in LANGUAGE OF ANGELS and Hilary in 6 (The Gift Theatre). Hilary lives an Andersonville with her husband Chris and works as a massage therapist.
Dylan McCumber (Aaron, Ken, Other Guy) Dylan was born in Seattle and trained in theatre at the University of Montana. This is his first professional appearance in Chicago.
Phillip Andrew Monnett (Henry) Southern-born and raised, Phillip Andrew Monnett is thrilled to be making his Open Space Arts debut as Henry in LIGHT SWITCH. A graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Phillip moved back north after working in the southern region's film and commercial market in Austin, TX, to further pursue theatre. When not performing, you can find him reading biographies about his favorite stars of Old Hollywood, spending time with friends and family, and can find him recording and producing his podcast, "Pop Vulture Pod," available on Apple and Spotify Podcasts. He would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support as he steps back on stage after a lengthy hiatus.
Peter Manuel Young (Joseph) is from Denver, Colorado and recently graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in theatre Performance. Credits include Michael in TICK, TICK…BOOM! (Little Theatre of the Rockies) Conrad Birdie in BYE BYE, BIRDIE (Colorado State Master’s Concert) and Ned Weeks in THE NORMAL HEART (Colorado State University). This is his first show in Chicago, and he is excited to be a part of the Open Space Arts team.
Greta Zandstra (Intimacy Director) is delighted to return to Open Space Arts for another project. She is a Chicago-based director, actor, and intimacy professional. Recent favorite projects include intimacy direction for ANGELS IN AMERICA (Eastline Theatre in New York) and SEX PLEASE WE’RE 60! (Cornwell Dinner Theatre in Michigan), adapting and directing A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Encore Center in North Carolina) and HENRY V (Viroqua Shakespeare Festival in Wisconsin), and playing Eliza in THE GÜT LIFE CHRISTMAS (Blue Gate Musicals in Kentucky), and Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in THE 39 STEPS with St. Patrick’s Summer Theatre here in Chicago. Thanks to the cast, crew, and you–the audience! GretaZandstra.com
About Open Space Arts
OPEN SPACE ARTS, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to combating homophobia and antisemitism through the transformative power of creativity and cultural expression. Our mission is to foster inclusivity, promote understanding, and empower marginalized communities by utilizing various artistic mediums to challenge discriminatory beliefs and attitudes.
Open Space Arts illuminates contemporary and historical issues through film and live performances. OSA will perform where the arts can have the most impact. With the freedom to perform anywhere, from libraries, theaters, empty storefronts, and online, OSA can respond quickly to bring important issues to life. www.openspacearts.com.