Casting has been announced for PrideArts’ production of WHEN THERE ARE NINE. This world premiere by American writer Sally Deering is a dream play in which the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recalls the personal relationships and professional challenges she made on her life’s journey as a feminist, lawyer, and Supreme Court Justice, as she struggles to understand her legacy before it’s too late. WHEN THERE ARE NINE will be directed by Sam Hess (she/hers), who recently returned to the Chicago area after a three-year stay in Columbus, Ohio, where she directed and assistant directed several productions. WHEN THERE ARE NINE will play in The Broadway, Pride Arts Center at 4139 N. Broadway in Chicago from February 10 through March 13, 2022. Press opening is Monday, February 14, 2022, at 7:30 pm, following previews from February 10 through 13.
Hess’s cast will be led by Talia Langman as Ginsburg. Langman has acted with such Chicago companies as Strawdog, Silk Road Rising, Organic Theatre Company, and The Agency Collective; and in Frank Tovar’s short film A LAST GOLDEN FLASH ACROSS THE SKY, based on a story by Sherwood Anderson. Gabriel Estrada will play RBG’s husband, Marty Ginsburg, and Nicholia Q. Aguirre (of PrideArts’ CASA VALENTINA) will be Gabby – the Justice’s substitute caregiver for a day. The cast also includes an ensemble of seven actors who will play dozens of characters that Ginsburg encountered in her life of 87 years. The ensemble includes Shannon Bachelder (who will understudy the role of RBG), Hannah Boutilier (also U/S for Marty), Ginger DeLeon (also U/S for Gabby), Sarah Kinn, Zoe Nemetz, Ashlyn Seehafer, and Caitlin Wolfe.
Top row L-R: Talia Langman, Gabriel Estrada, Nicholia Q. Aguirre.
Middle row L-R: Shannon Bachelder, Hannah Boutilier, Ginger DeLeon, Sarah Hensley.
Lower row L-R: Sarah Kinn, Zoe Nemetz, Ashlynn Seehafer, Caitlin Wolfe.
The production team includes Sarah Hensley (Associate Director, understudy), Val Gardner (Sound Design), Jeff Brain (Props Design), and Hayley Procacci (Stage Manager).
WHEN THERE ARE NINE takes place largely in the mind of Justice Ginsburg and imagines how she might have recalled pivotal moments in her life, and how she viewed the challenges she faced and her work yet to be done. Deering’s script shows Justice Ginsburg’s deep concern for the welfare of others and captures the wit and humor for which Justice Ginsburg was known as vividly as it documents her enormous contributions to the advancement of equality in the United States.
Hess says, “I was drawn to direct this piece because it’s so clear that real life RBG felt she had more work to do before leaving the court, and we really see her character wrestle with that in the show. That urgency and ambition for more progress, paired with her physical fragility, lends itself to a heartbreaking fever dream and a totally new perspective on RBG.
Tickets to WHEN THERE ARE NINE are priced at $30 for regular performances (February 14 through March 13) and $15 for previews February 10 -13. Seniors and students will receive a $5 discount for regular performances. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, January 3 at www.pridearts.org or by phone at 773-857-0222. There is an early bird discount of $10.00 per ticket, with the code EARLYBIRD, from January 3 to February 10.
LISTING INFORMATION
WHEN THERE ARE NINE
By Sally Deering
WORLD PREMIERE
Directed by Sam Hess
February 10 - March 13, 2022
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm, additional pay-what-you-can performance Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 7:30 pm
Previews February 10 –13, 2022
PRESS OPENING Monday, February 14, 2022, at 7:30 pm
The Broadway, Pride Arts Center, 4139 N. Broadway, Chicago
Tickets $30 for regular performances, $15 for previews. Seniors and students receive a $5 discount off regular performance prices. There is an early bird discount of $10.00 per ticket, with the code EARLYBIRD, from January 3 to February 10. More information at www.pridearts.org
WHEN THERE ARE NINE traverses the imagined memories of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The show celebrates her legacy, while challenging the audience to see the woman behind the icon. This touching dream play is no biographical retelling of RBG’s life. Ruth is pulled into memories, as one is wrested to the ocean by the tide, and we’re forced to consider how the landmark moments she recalls continue to impact gender equity today.
BIOS
Sally Deering (Playwright). Sally will be remembered by Chicago theater lovers for her musical DR. SEX, which was produced by Bailiwick Repertory and earned seven Jeff Awards. From there, it moved Off Broadway to the Peter Norton Theater. In addition to her playwriting, Sally has written and directed ten short films, including IMPASSE, which won Best Comedy Screenplay at the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival in 2019; and AUNT SADIE LOVED A LADY, which was named Audience Favorite at the Barrymore Film Center’s Short Film Festival in February. Early experiences in Sally’s writing career include the 13 years she spent as a weekly columnist and daily features writer for THE JERSEY JOURNAL, where she earned writing awards including Best Columnist in New Jersey from the NJ Press Association. Sally has written two novellas that are available on Kindle. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Arts from New Jersey City University.
Sam Hess (she/her, Director). Sam’s primary directing interest includes scripts that leap out of realism, and considers a dream play the perfect vehicle to explore and celebrate RBG’s life and legacy. Sam has returned to Chicago after a few years in Columbus, OH, where she directed and assistant directed several productions. Favorite credits include: THE BONE HOUSE (Random Acts, Co-Directed with Bryan Renaud), CARRIE: THE MUSICAL (Imagine Productions), THE TICKING HEART (MadLab Theatre YWSPF 2019), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW directed by Edward Carignan, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES directed by Michael Licata (Short North Stage).
ABOUT PRIDEARTS
PrideArts tells queer stories on a variety of platforms, including both live and virtual performances. Since its founding in 2010, PrideArts has had several chapters, including operating as an itinerant theater for their first six seasons, and as the developer and primary tenant in the Pride Arts Center from 2016-21.
The company produces full seasons of plays and musicals, as well as events including cabaret, film, and more. The company has earned 39 Jeff Awards and nominations, and six nominations in the most recent (2019) ALTA Awards from the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago. Programming has reflected the diversity of queer communities by including work made by and illuminating the experiences of women, gay men, transgender people, and BIPOC.
PrideArts 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, 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.
PrideArts is a member of the Smart Growth Program of the Chicago Community Trust. PrideArts is a member of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, Northalsted Business Association, Lakeview East, Uptown United, and The League of Chicago Theatre.
For more information and to donate, visit www.pridearts.org or call 1.773 857 0222.