PORTAGE PARK — A play that explores family and community through 1960s pop music, video games and a high-speed motorcycle chase will be the next main-stage production of the Filament Theater Ensemble's 2014 season.
Starting Sept. 19 and running through Oct. 26, "The Monster in the Hall" tells the story of Duck Macatarsney, an imaginative, quick-talking teenager. The production follows the girl as she struggles to care for her ill father while obsessing over her high school crush, and while mourning her mother, who named her after the Ducati Monster motorcycle.
Directed by Filament Theatre Ensemble Artistic Director Julie Ritchey, the play by David Greig was developed through workshops and conversations with real teenage caretakers. Filament's production is the first time the play has been performed in the Midwest.
Starring Molly Bunder, Lindsey Dorcus, Christian Libonati and Andrew Marchetti, the play depicts what happens when an inspector arrives to see how Duck and her father are doing. They are forced to put on a show of normalcy, which is complicated by a strange proposal from dreamy Lawrence, a Norwegian death metal chick at the door and the fact that Duck’s dad woke up unable to see.
"The Monster in the Hall" will be the third main-stage production at Filament's Six Corners home, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. The 6-year-old, formerly itinerant ensemble moved to Portage Park last year and has been working to transform the former furniture warehouse into a performance venue.
The group hopes the theater will become a community hub in the Six Corners Shopping District, a desire shared by Ald. John Arena (45th), who has been working to turn the long-struggling area around Milwaukee Avenue, Cicero Avenue and Irving Park Boulevard into an arts and entertainment district.
Performances of the show will take place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $14 to $20 and are available at the group's website, filamenttheatre.org or at 773-270-1660.
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