Pride Films and Plays is thrilled to announce the Chicago 20th anniversary production of
Jonathan Harvey’s acclaimed
Beautiful Thing, The heart warming story of two teenaged boys coming to grips with their sexuality. Director
John Nasca directs a cast that includes PFP Artistic Ensemble Members
Michelle McKenzie-Voigt and
Patrick Rybarczyk as Sandra and Tony, with
Robert Hilliard as Jamie,
Charlie Wein as Ste, and
Kiah McKirnan as Leah.
Jamie, a boy who skips school to avoid playing sports, is attracted to his next-door neighbor Ste, an athletic teen who is regularly beaten by his father and brothers. One night, Jamie's mother Sandra offers Ste refuge from his abusive family, setting off a chain of events that changes their lives forever. Set in a working-class area of southeast London,
Beautiful Thing illustrates the struggle of growing up in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving to anyone perceived as different.
Written in 1993,
Beautiful Thing was initially produced by The Bush Theatre, London, England. It received its American premiere in 1998 by Famous Door Theatre Company in Chicago and then transferred to New York in 1999 at the Cherry Lane Theatre. "As 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of
Beautiful Thing and with bullying issues still very much a part of today’s headlines, this is the perfect time to revisit this play, which feels more relevant than ever," says director
John Nasca.
From
January 17 – February 17, at the
Athenaeum Theatre (Studio Three) 2936 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago.
Previews: January 17 and
18 at 7:30 p.m. •
Opening Night:
January 19 at 7:30 p.m. •
Sunday: January 20 at 2:00 pm.
Prices: $15 for Previews •
$23 on Thursdays and Sundays •
$25 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tickets: Available at
www.athenaeumtheatre.org or by calling
773-935-6875.
Jonathan Harvey (Playwright) comes from Liverpool and now lives in London. His plays include
The Cherry Blossom Tree (Liverpool Playhouse Studio, 1987), which won him the 1987 National Girobank Young Writer of the Year Award;
Mohair,
Wildfire, and
Beautiful Thing, winner of the John Whiting Award 1994;
Babies, winner of the George Devine Award 1993 and Evening Standard's Most Promising Playwright Award 1994;
Boom Bang-A-Bang, and
Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club. Jonathan is currently working on several projects, including a new television series and a musical with the Pet Shop Boys.
John Nasca (Director) is co-founder and Artistic Director of Glitterati Productions and an Artistic Associate for Pride Films and Plays. His directing credits include
Gypsy, Moon Over Buffalo, No, No, Nanette, Love Sucks!, and the staged readings of
Beautiful Thing, Mr. Shaw Goes to Hollywood, The Ritz, Save the Date, Maurice,
Hello Norma Jeane, and
Visalia. John is also a 3-time Jeff-recommended costumer for
Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Anyone Can Whistle, and
Die! Mommie, Die!, and the proud recipient of After Dark and Broadway World awards. His costume work also includes
Noises Off,
Metropolis,
Phantom, Poseidon: An Upside-Down Musical, Follies, The Miracle Worker, Chicago, The Little Foxes, Rigoletto, The Great White Hope, Tintypes, The Women, and
On the Waterfront. 
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