Theatre

Clown Bar by Adam Szymkowicz and directed by Bill Taylor

August 18 - 28 • Happy's brother Timmy is found dead. Now Happy must return to his former life as a clown to ask a few questions. But will Happy be able to go home again without getting sucked into the seedy clown underbelly of vice and violence? Join us for this immersive experience as we transform the Alliance theatre into the Clown Bar, plunging you into the dark and secret world of these hilarious, yet frightening, gangster clowns.

August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson Directed by Sonya McCarter

October 20 - 29 • What do you do with your legacy, and how do you best put it to use? This complex play filled with subplots conveys tremendous significance as it examines slavery and the difficulty of Black Americans seeking economic and social equality.

The production is generously sponsored by Noreen Raney and Alliance of the Arts’ Fifth Play of August Wilson’s American Century Cycle.

The Parking Lot by Adam Szymkowicz and Directed by Madelaine Weymouth

December 8 - 18 • J and Terry are married, but they might not stay that way for long. While most couples have the benefit of negotiating the ups and downs of marriage in private, or in therapy, J and Terry have taken a different approach. Be prepared to watch the most private and intimate exchange in the most public and open venue, a parking lot.

Faceless by Selina Fillinger and Directed by Miguel Cintron

January 19- 29 • A white eighteen-year-old from the Chicago suburbs, was arrested at O'Hare International Airport for conspiring with ISIS. Recent Harvard Law grad and practicing Muslim Claire Fathi has been brought on to prosecute. Inspired by real court cases, Selina Fillinger's crackling drama looks at two women fighting for justice in a world gripped by fear.

The Last Show Written & Performed by Derek Lively and Directed by Bill Taylor

February 16 - 26 • Set in an illegal underground nightclub in a city where all public social gatherings and all forms of art have been banned, a performance artist risks arrest to perform for the first (and last time) in front of his dying mother. With nothing but props, a microphone and a bottle of cognac, the performance artist holds nothing back because this show is unlike any other that he has performed.

The Hatmaker’s Wife by Lauren Yee and Directed by Carmen Crussard

March 16 - 26 • When a young woman moves in with her boyfriend expecting domestic bliss, their new house reveals the magical tale of its previous inhabitants: an old hat-maker and his long-suffering wife, who runs away with his favorite hat. This sweet and surreal story bends time and space to redefine the idea of family, home, and true love itself.

The production is generously sponsored by Janet and Bruce Bunch.