Theatre in the Dark, the innovative Chicago theater company focusing exclusively on audio plays, will follow up its successful 2020 productions of THREE STORIES UP, H.G. Wells’ WAR OF THE WORLDS, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN THE DARK, with an original adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic adventure story MOBY DICK from March 11 through April 10. Producing Artistic Director Corey Bradberry has adapted Melville’s novel and will direct. The production will be performed live from March 11 through April 10, with a streamable on-demand option available April 1 – 10. Press performances will be Thursday, March 11 and Friday, March 12 at 8 pm CST each night.
“Call me Ishmael…” - the three famous words opening Herman Melville’s infamous American novel will likewise open Theatre in the Dark’s thrillingly experimental MOBY DICK IN THE DARK, live online audio theatre created from Chicago’s most innovative theatre company. Actors broadcast live across 5,500 miles to audiences around the world (including 40 states, 4 Canadian provinces, and 12 countries) as Theatre in the Dark cooks with signature style the story of young Ishmael’s three-year voyage across the earth’s oceans in pursuit of Captain Ahab’s fiery revenge for an elusive and vengeful sperm whale named Moby Dick. After losing his leg in pursuit of the devilish White Whale, Ahab vows vengeance at all costs, but to what lengths will he turn to seek that vengeance—and at what cost to his crew?
Bradberry’s cast will include returning Theatre in the Dark performers Elizabeth McCoy as Ishmael, Robinson J. Cyprian as Captain Ahab, and Mack Gordon as Starbuck. As with the company’s earlier virtual productions, the cast will perform from multiple locations across North America. McCoy and Cyprian will be participating from New Orleans, Gordon will take the audio stage from Vancouver, and Bradberry will stage manage from Chicago.
Left - right: Elizabeth McCoy, Robinson J. Cyprian, Mack Gordon.
MOBY DICK IN THE DARK will be performed entirely without visuals, combining recorded sound, live Foley effects, an original musical score, and the human voices of actors, to tell the story. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can ($20-30 suggested donation) and are on sale now at www.theatreinthedark.com/tickets.
The CHICAGO READER called Theatre in the Dark’s A WAR OF THE WORLDS “a stylish and compelling adaptation.” BUZZ CENTER STAGE called the company’s THREE STORIES UP “a gripping 80-minute drama” and “a must see as one of Chicago’s more creative theatre adventures.” RESCRIPTED said it “skillfully adapts the novel with captivating language that matches the production’s renowned predecessors.” AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO called A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN THE DARK a “masterful adaptation.” All three of these previous productions are now available on demand at www.theatreinthedark.com/tickets.
LISTING INFORMATION
MOBY DICK IN THE DARK
Based on the novel MOBY DICK by Herman Melville
Adapted and directed by Corey Bradberry
Performed live online March 11 – April 10, 2021
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7 pm; Wednesday, April 7 at 8 pm (All times Central)
All Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can ($20-30 suggested donation)
Tickets on sale now at www.theatreinthedark.com/tickets
Phone for info only (no ticketing): 312.285.0314
BIOS
Corey Bradberry (Adapter, Director) is Producing Artistic Director and co-founder of Theatre in the Dark, directing THREE STORIES UP and A WAR OF THE WORLDS; and lending his voice as Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN THE DARK. Corey is a Kennedy Center National Directing Fellow and received the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs’ Emerging Artist Award prior to receiving an MFA in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi. Corey has assistant directed with major theatre institutions including the Alliance Theatre, the Kennedy Center, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta History Center, and Chicago’s Second City; in addition to projects with smaller companies including Theatrical Outfit, Flying Carpet Theatre Company, and Artemisia. He has held teaching positions with the Alliance Theatre, University of Southern Mississippi, Kennesaw State University, the Swift School, Stagedoor Manor, and Atlanta Children’s Theatre. He is a graduate of the Second City Advanced Directing program, holds a BA in Theatre & Performance Studies, and has trained with the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre. IG: @corey.bradberry coreybradberry.com
Elizabeth McCoy (Ishmael) has appeared on stage and in film numerous times since receiving her BFA in performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. Past credits include: A WAR OF THE WORLDS with Theatre in the Dark, SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER with The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company, and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE with Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carré. She is grateful for your support of live theatre during this challenging time.
Robinson J. Cyprian (Ahab) returns to Theatre in the Dark, previously lending his voice as a swing in fall 2020’s A WAR OF THE WORLDS, where he performed as both HG Wells and Dr. Ogilvy. Onstage roles include John Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE, Father Mapple in MOBY DICK REHEARSED, and Solly Two Kings in GEM OF THE OCEAN. He is a co-founder of RoBenHood Productions based in Southern Louisiana, where they produced and he directed a COVID-centered production of THE PILLOWMAN this past fall. He is a native of Hammond, Louisiana and a recent graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he graduated with a degree in Theatre. Social media: @Salutations_RJ. robenhoodproductions.com
Mack Gordon (Starbuck) is a professional theatre artist and cofounder of Theatre in the Dark. His work with the company includes writing and acting credits for THREE STORIES UP; A WAR OF THE WORLDS; and A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN THE DARK. His work has been published in Discorder Magazine, Carte Blanche, and Speakeasy Theatre’s Pull Festival Anthology. His plays have been produced by ITSAZOO Productions (DEBTS, FIVE RED BALLOONS), Western Canada Theatre (THE BALLAD OF THE BURNING LADY), Upintheair Theatre (VISITORS), Alley Theatre (THREE STORIES UP) and Level-Headed Friends Productions (SIX FINE LINES, SHAKE THE SHEETS!, DEAD CELEBRITIES). He is a three-time writing contributor to Sum Theatre's Pull Festival and a four-time Jessie Richardson Theatre Award nominee. As an actor, Mack has worked with Chicago Dramatists as well as such Canadian companies as Bard on the Beach, The Arts Club, Carousel Theatre, Green Thumb, The Firehall Arts Centre, Pacific Theatre, and many others. He is also a corporate events coordinator and emcee with the popular Game Show Night and has party planned for EA Games, Morningstar Homes, and Eleven Food Group. Twitter: @mackgord; Instagram: @mackgordon; mackgordontheatre.com