The Gift Theatre's "Dirty" Receives Rave Reviews

Jeff-nominated playwright Andrew Hinderaker's newest is "a blend of humor, Hendrix, and hardcore porn."

Chicago, IL (prHWY.com) October 17, 2012 - The Gift Theatre's latest play Dirty has opened to rave reviews. The show was written by Andrew Hinderaker, the Joseph Jefferson-nominated writer and director of Suicide, Incorporated and I Am Going to Change the World. It runs until November 18th at The Gift Theatre, 4802 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.

In an incisive look at misplaced societal priorities, a young husband finds he can no longer stomach his lucrative but soul-deadening career in high finance. He and his pregnant wife concoct a business plan that will make them millions from "ethical porn" while allowing them to help those in need. So why does everyone think his new venture is viler than the last? In this black comedy, Dirty explores the complex challenges of philanthropy and family values as the main characters struggle to do the right thing.

The show has been called "Ambitious....Electric...Superb." by Dan Jakes at Chicago Reader. "From the earliest moments of the remarkably absorbing "Dirty," Hillary Clemens' Katie and Michael Patrick Thornton's Matt are so relatable, fresh, and approachably witty that the audience has no choice but to happily side with them," says Newcity Stage. The Chicago Sun-Times says Dirty playwright Andrew Hinderaker is a "master at spinning stories."

The Gift Theatre is proud to welcome Hinderaker as a new ensemble member. Lauded as "one of Chicago's most interesting and provocative young writers" by Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune, Hinderaker's work has been staged in multiple productions in New York, Chicago and elsewhere. He has received national recognition for his plays and screenplays, including a 2010 Jeff Award best play nomination for Suicide, Incorporated. The Gift Theatre production of Dirty is directed by Jonathan Berry, who also helmed the New York production of Suicide.

The cast of Dirty includes Gift Theatre ensemble members Hillary Clemens, Paul D'Addario and Michael Patrick Thornton and guest artists Atra Asdou, Tom Hickey, Mouzam Makkar, Darci Nalepa and Cyril Smith.

Tickets are $30 for Thursday, Fridays and Saturday performances, $25 for Sunday matinees. Student, Industry and Senior tickets are $20, good for Sunday performances only. Group rates are available for parties of ten or more. Call the theatre box office at (773) 283-7071 or buy tickets online at www.thegifttheatre.org.

About The Gift Theatre

Now celebrating its 10th season, The Gift Theatre is dedicated to telling great stories on stage with honesty and simplicity. Conveniently located at 4802 N. Milwaukee in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood, The Gift Theatre is easily accessible by the Kennedy Expressway, the Lawrence and Milwaukee Avenue buses, and the CTA Blue Line.

THE GIFT THEATRE is dedicated to telling great stories on stage with honesty and simplicity. Previous productions include Oh, the Humanity, Absolute Hell; Northwest Highway; Night and Her Stars; Lonesome West; Suicide, Inc.; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; Almost, Maine; Santa's Great American Depression Holiday Show! (2009 & 2010); Summer People; The Ruby Sunrise; Talk Radio; Stop/Kiss; Natural Gas; Streamers; W;t;
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot; White People; Three Sisters; The Beauty Queen of
Leenane; Blithe Spirit;365 Days/365 Plays; The Halloween Show; Long Day's Journey Into Night; The Glass Menagerie (Remount: Theatre on the Lake); The Good Thief; The Clearing; Hurlyburly; The Glass Menagerie; The Pavilion; A Young Man In Pieces; Language of Angels; 6; County Fair; The Countess; Alcatraz (Abbie Hoffman Festival); Orestes 2.0; and Boys' Life. The theatre also sponsors the giftED Ensemble education program, a rigorous two-year afterschool course for creative and motivated high school students on Chicago Northwest side.

The Gift Theatre Company's 2012 season is made possible, in part, by generous contributions from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.

For more information about The Gift Theatre's productions and programs, visit www.thegifttheatre.org.

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Tag Words: jefferson park, chicago, theater, original works

Categories: Entertainment

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