JEFFERSON PARK — A play that tells the story of a woman caught in the middle of the Great Recession and forced to struggle to make a home for herself is the latest production of the Gift Theatre's 2014 season.
Starting Sept. 25 and running through Nov. 23, "Bethany" tells the story of Crystal, played by Hillary Clemens, who has been caught in the economic downturn sparked by the collapse of the housing market. She is forced to navigate the worlds of motivational speaking, survivalism and a Saturn dealership to make a home for herself.
After being performed in New York, the play will have its Chicago premiere at the Gift Theatre.
Heather Cherone talks about the Gift Theatre's latest production:
The New York Times described Laura Marks' play as “rare among new American plays in the clear, compassionate attention it pays to the corrosive effects of the economic downturn on the battered middle class.”
Directed by Marti Lyons, "Bethany" also stars Gift Theatre ensemble members Paul D'Addario and James D. Farruggio, along with Mary Anne Bowman, Susaan Jamshidi and Kirby O'Connell.
Gift Theatre founder and Artistic Director Michael Patrick Thornton said he was eager to see Lyons and Marks work together again after collaborating on the Chicago premiere of Marks' play "Mine."
"These two women possess a dazzling spirit of brave exploration and storytelling expertise combined with a gentle humility that's a rare, rare wonder to behold," Thornton said in a statement. "We kind of just sit back and marvel at them."
"Bethany" is the final production of the Gift Theatre's 2014 season, which marked the theater's 10th anniversary at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the heart of the Jefferson Park Business District.
Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 23. Tickets are $20-$30 and are available at thegifttheatre.org or at 773-283-7071.
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