Red Theater presents the world premiere production of The Pilon, written by Zach Barr and directed by Jessica Love, running October 25 - November 23, 2025 at The Edge Off Broadway in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave.
The production features Delia Kropp as Rhonda, Rio Ragazzone as Corbin, Jo Tannous as Lex, Josh Razavi as Marc, and Harper Levander as Griffey, understudied by Kailen Lee, RJ Cecott, Elijah Cox, Ryan Finn and Silas Smith.
“A meditation on how we build our identity by following or running from other peoples' examples, featuring a queer love story, intergenerational trans friendship, characters overhauling their own identities, and the greatest dream of all: Seattle getting an NBA team again.”
This will be the second world premiere this season for playwright Zach Barr, following Black Cat Theatre’s production of Quinlyn Can Paint in August. Comments Zach, “The Pilon is, above all, a love letter: to transgender people, to sports fans, and to my hometown of Seattle. I’m ever grateful to Red Theater for their commitment to bring this script to life for the first time.”
The Pilon will be Red’s fifth premiere from a living playwright since returning to production in 2022. Comments Artistic Directors Clare Brennan and Wyatt Kent, “The Pilon is a warm embrace of a play. It’s a celebration of shared community, of choosing vulnerability, and most importantly of trans joy.”
The production team includes Morgan Kingsley (assistant director), Ella Johnson (stage manager), Manuel Ortiz (scenic design), Chas Mathieu (props design), Jack Goodman (lighting design), Jamie Macpherson (intimacy design + family liaison), Haleigh Kent (costume design), Sebby Woldt (sound design), Skyler Simpson (poster design), Faith Decker (photographer), Daniel Bird Tobin (dramaturg), AJ Mueth (technical director), Phoebe Huggett (charge artist), Hunter Cole (director of production), Becca Holloway (casting director), Wyatt Kent (producer), Clare Brennan (producer) and Mary T. Cahoon (company manager).
PRODUCTION DETAILS
Title: The Pilon
Playwright: Zach Barr
Director: Jessica Love
Cast: Delia Kropp (Rhonda), Rio Ragazzone (Corbin), Jordan Tannous (Lex), Josh Razavi (Marc), Harper Levander (Griffey), Kailen Lee (Rhonda U/s), RJ Cecott (Corbin U/s), Elijah Cox (Lex U/s), Ryan Finn (Marc U/s), Silas Smith (Griffey U/s)
Production Team: Morgan Kingsley (assistant director), Ella Johnson (stage manager), Manuel Ortiz (scenic design), Chas Mathieu (props design), Jack Goodman (lighting design), Jamie Macpherson (intimacy design + Family Liaison), Haleigh Kent (costume design), Sebby Woldt (sound design), Skyler Simpson (poster design), Faith Decker (photographer), Daniel Bird Tobin (dramaturg), AJ Mueth (technical director), Phoebe Huggett (charge artist), Hunter Cole (director of production), Becca Holloway (casting director), Wyatt Kent (producer), Clare Brennan (producer) and Mary T. Cahoon (company manager)
Location: The Edge Off Broadway, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave, Chicago
Opening night: Saturday, October 25, 2025 @ 7:30P
Previews: Wednesday October 22, Thursday October 23, Friday October 24, 2025 @ 7:30P
Run dates: Wednesday October 22 - Sunday, November 23, 2025
Curtain times: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays @ 7:30P, Sundays @ 3P
Tickets: General admission tickets are $30. As part of Red’s mission to make theater by putting people first, a limited number of $10 access tickets are available for students, artists, or anyone on a tight budget. Purchasing a ticket at our $50 pay-it-forward tier helps us sustain Red’s accessibility efforts. Tickets are currently available at www.redtheater.org. Use code ACCESS at checkout for $10 tickets. Monday nights are Industry Nights! Artists and service industry professionals can use code PEALAWN for half price tickets.
Direct Box Office Link: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35021/production/1253726
Development Credits: The Pilon was a Semi-Finalist with Seven Devils New Play Foundry in 2024 and 2025. It received a reading through The Understudy Coffee & Books’ Freshly Brewed series in 2025.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Zach Barr | PLAYWRIGHT – Zach (they/them) is a nonbinary multidisciplinary theatre artist. Their play Quinlyn Can Paint recently debuted at Black Cat Theatre, and their adaptation of Winnie-the-Pooh will debut at Talespinner Children’s Theatre in December. They’ve completed residencies with Three Brothers Theatre and Filament Theatre, and have had work developed by Valdez Theatre Conference, Bramble Theatre Company, and Fat Theatre Project. Zach serves as Literary Manager at Red Theater and an Artistic Associate at Refracted Theatre Company, curating new play reading series for both (“Script Club” and “Role Call”). Additionally, Zach is the creator of the theatre history video essay series "And Now They Sing" on YouTube, and recently directed Cats for Studio East (Kirkland, WA). Find them on NPX. Love to M+D & KB. @admiralzachbarr
Jessica Love | DIRECTOR – Jessica (she/her) is excited to be back at Red Theater after Assistant Directing their production of Kairos. Chicago Directing credits: Twisted Playfest’s Fiona (Redtwist Theatre), The Chain (GenderF’ed Productions), and When It Comes We Can Worry Then (Three Brothers Theatre). Regional Assistant Directing credits: The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Artistic Cohort Member at Red Theater. Recipient of the National Stage Directors and Choreographers Award. MTSU Theatre. jessica-love.com