This is an encore of the reading of the play the company presented in fall 2018 during the run of their production of McNally’s IT’S ONLY A PLAY and is the first of several remote presentations the company is planning in order to maintain programming until performances can again be presented in-person in the theater.
MOTHERS AND SONS portrays a woman who pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son's partner, who is now married to another man and has a young son. Challenged to face how society has changed around her, generations collide as she revisits the past and begins to see the life her son might have led had he survived the AIDS pandemic. The play was nominated for the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. The cast will include Michelle McKenzie-Voight as Katherine, the mother, Benjamin Sprunger and Cody Dericks as the married couple Cal and Will, and Patrick Scott McDermott as Cal and Will’s young son Bud. In compliance with the current “shelter at home” order, the four actors will be each perform from their own locations, appearing on screen simultaneously to perform the scenes as a cast.
Top row: Michelle McKenzie-Voight, Benjamin Sprunger. Lower row: Cody Dericks, Patrick Scott McDermott.https://flic.kr/p/2iL6T4r
Pride Films and Plays has produced several of McNally works, including SOME MEN in 2014, IT’S ONLY A PLAY in 2018 and, most recently, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE in fall 2019. Additionally, the company presented a mini-festival saluting McNally in fall 2019 that included readings of MOTHERS AND SONS, and DEDICATION OR THE STUFF OF DREAMS; and the Chicago premiere screening of the feature film biography of McNally, EVERY ACT OF LIFE.
This reading of MOTHERS AND SONS can be viewed for $10.00 per access. Proceeds will help Pride Films and Plays continue to produce and create important LGBTQ stories. Remote viewing tickets. are on sale now www.pridefilmsandplays.com or by phone at 866-811-4111. Instructions on how to access the reading will be e-mailed to those purchasing remote viewing tickets.
LISTING INFORMATION
MOTHERS AND SONS
by Terrence McNally
Reading directed by David Zak
Thursday, April 16 – 7:00 pm
Online – instructions on how to enter provided after tickets are purchased
Tickets $10.00
Tickets available by phone at 866-811-4111 or 773-857-0222 or online at www.pridefilmsandplays.com
A woman pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son's partner, who is now married to another man and has a young son. Challenged to face how society has changed around her, generations collide as she revisits the past and begins to see the life her son might have led.
BIOS
Terrence McNally (playwright). McNally’s far-ranging works included landmark plays such as MASTER CLASS, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!, and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE – plays that celebrate men and women—biographical and fictional, gay and straight—who embrace life’s possibilities in all their ridiculous and painful glory. He contributed the books of ground-breaking musicals such as KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, RAGTIME, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, and ANASTASIA that challenge notions of race, class, and sexuality. In the world of opera, he created the librettos for the poignant DEAD MAN WALKING and GREAT SCOTT at the Dallas Opera. Some of his other plays and musicals included THE RITZ, THE RINK, THE FULL MONTY, DEUCE, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, MOTHERS AND SONS, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, THE LISBON TRAVIATA, LIPS TOGETHER, TEETH APART; CORPUS CHRISTI, A PERFECT GANESH and ANASTASIA.
By the time he won the 1993 Tony for Best Book of a Musical for KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (the first of four Tony awards), Mr. McNally was already a recipient of multiple Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel, and Obie Awards. He was inducted to the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1996 and has been honored by numerous organizations for his ongoing contributions to the theatre.
David Zak (director) has won seven Jeff Awards in Chicago, including four for Directing (ANIMAL FARM, DR. SEX, PARADE, POPE JOAN), two for writing (THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO) and a special Jeff for “Fostering Diversity in Chicago Theater.” In his 27-year stint as Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory, he directed the world premiere production of THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, the US premieres of Sir Peter Hall’s ANIMAL FARM and JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA, and many original works including the political dramas THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT and SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED. He has directed in London (THE IRISH CURSE), Seoul (DOLLHOUSE, FANTA STICK, THE GHOST’S COOKBOOK), Dublin (OH, HOLY ALLEN GINSBERG, AT THE FLASH), Boston (SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED), Los Angeles (DR. SEX, AT THE FLASH) and New York (MARLOWE and POSEIDON: AN UPSIDE-DOWN MUSICAL). His productions of the American Premieres of JERRY SPRINGER – THE OPERA and Sir Peter Hall’s ANIMAL FARM won Jeff Awards for Best Musical, as did his productions of PARADE, POPE JOAN, and Dennis DeYoung’s HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. His most recent Chicago productions have included: YANK - A WWII LOVE STORY, THE BOY FROM OZ, Terrence McNally’s SOME MEN and PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT (both with Derek Van Barham), Leo Schwartz’s THE BOOK OF MERMAN and UNDER THE RAINBOW FLAG. For the last year he has worked almost exclusively to bring the Pride Arts Center to life. He was inducted into the City of Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2013.
CAST
Michelle McKenzie-Voigt (Katharine) is delighted to revisit a favorite role for this special “staged” reading in honor of the late, great Terrence McNally. With roles ranging from Shakespeare to Sondheim, her recent credits include STEEL MAGNOLIAS and THE FULL MONTY (Timber Lake Playhouse), OTHELLO (Babes with Blades Theater Company), CALL ME MADAM and BILLY ELLIOT (Porchlight Music Theatre), and FOUR BY TENN (AstonRep). She received the 2019 Best Supporting Performer award from the Chicago Musical Theater Festival for her role as Mrs. Hudson in MY DEAR WATSON. Deep gratitude to all who come together to make theater possible, whether as artist or audience – especially during these difficult times. Ave atque vale, Terrence McNally.
Benjamin Sprunger (Cal) Theater credits: About Face (nine productions including SIGNIFICANT OTHER and THE HOMOSEXUALS), The House, Raven, Music Theater Works, Northlight, 16th Street, Pride Films & Plays, Goodman, Victory Gardens, TimeLine, Steppenwolf, Strawdog, Griffin (2011 Jeff nomination, Actor in a Principal Role - Musical), Steep, Sideshow, Haven, CityLit, Theater Wit, Mark Taper Forum, and Pasadena Playhouse. Television credits: Chicago Fire, The Red Line, Will & Grace (2 episodes as Will’s boyfriend’s sister’s fiancé), and Passions. Follow him @thebenigma
Cody Dericks (Will) is a graduate of Hofstra University whose Chicago credits include AFTERGLOW, HOLDING THE MAN, JERKER (PFP); AN ARTIST AND THE EMBER (Chicago Musical Theatre Festival); OLIVER!, HAIRSPRAY (Windy City Performs); AYN RAND IN LOVE (MCL Chicago). Follow him on Twitter @codymonster91 to find links to his writing and podcast appearances.
Patrick Scott McDermott (Bud) has played Gavroche in LES MISERABLES on tour and has appeared in many roles at Marriott Theatre, including The artful Dodger in OLIVER!, Jojo in SEUSSICAL, Charlie Winslow in HOLIDAY INN) and Little Boy-Edgar in RAGTIME. Other favorite Chicago area credits include: Nigel in MATILDA (Drury Lane Theatre); JoJo in SEUSSICAL (Drury Lane Theatre); Michael in PETER PAN (Music Theater Works); Tiny Tim in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre & Eclectic Full Contact Theater); James in JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (Cricket Theatre); and Young Will in BIG FISH (Prospect High School).
ABOUT PRIDE FILMS AND PLAYS
Pride Films and Plays is working to produce year-round theater and film projects that change lives through the generation of diverse new work (or work that is new to Chicago) with LGBTQ+ characters or themes that are essential viewing for all audiences. The company produces a season of full productions and continues our famed play developmental projects. PFP is the principal tenant in Pride Arts Center.
Pride Arts Center produces events complimenting the PFP vision, including dance, cabaret, film, and more. Events can be one-night or limited run productions or feature national treasures like Charles Busch. PAC occupies The Broadway at 4139 N. Broadway, which has 85 seats, and The Buena, which has 50 seats at 4147 N Broadway.
Pride Films and Plays is supported by The MacArthur Fund for Arts & Culture at The Richard Driehaus Foundation, The Illinois Arts Council, City of Chicago’s City Arts Fund, the Elliott Fredland Charitable Trust, Proud to Run, The Pauls Foundation, The Heath Fund, The Service Club of Chicago, the AmazonSmile Foundation, Arts and Business Foundation, Tap Root Foundation, Arts and Business Council, and Alphawood Foundation.
PFP is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. Pride Films and Plays is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northhalsted Business Association, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatres.
For more information,visit www.pridefilmsandplays.com or call 1.773 857 0222.