1Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate

Where Vision and Values Meet

proudly presents

SHAW VS.

CHESTERTON: THE DEBATE

Adapted and Directed by Timothy Gregory

This theater is a proud member of the This program is partially supported by a grant

from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

2 Provision Theater

PRODUCTION INFOR M ATION

Director – Timothy Gregory*+Scenic Designer – Inseung Park+

Lighting Designer – Marly WoosterCostume Designer – Cara AdamsSound Designer – Daniel Carlyon

Technical Director/Production Manager – Alfredo AguilarProduction Stage Manager – Kari Warning*

* Denotes member of Actors Equity Association+ Denotes Provision Theater Company Member

September 8 – October 28Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm

Sundays at 3:00pm1001 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago IL

www.provisiontheater.org

There will be no intermission.

Please turn off all cell phones, pagers, and other noise making devices. Please note that the use of cameras (with or without a flash) and the use

of recording devices is strictly prohibited.

CAST

PROGR A M

George Bernard Shaw ............................................................................................Lawrence McCauley*GK Chesterton ................................................................................................................. Brad Armacost*+Belloc ................................................................................................................................... Michael DowneyShaw Understudy .................................................................................................................. Mike Rogalski

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association+ Denotes Provision Theater Company Member

Location: London, EnglandTime: 1927

Setting: Kingsway Hall Auditorium

OUR MISS ION

SPECIAL THANKS

Provision Theater Company is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation, and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose.

The Staff of Easter Seals, Saint Ignatius College Prep, the Provision Theater Board Members, our dedicated Financial Supporters, and our wonderful Volunteers and Interns.

3Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate

PRODUCTION STAFF

Director ..........................................................................................................................Timothy Gregory*+Scenic Designer..................................................................................................................... Inseung Park+Lighting Designer.................................................................................................................Marly WoosterCostume Designer ....................................................................................................................Cara AdamsSound Designer ................................................................................................................... Daniel CarlyonProduction Manager/Technical Director/Assistant Stage Manager ................ Alfredo AguilarProduction Stage Manager ................................................................................................ Kari Warning*Master Electrician ................................................................................................................. Scott PillsburyCarpenter/Rigger ........................................................................................................................ Jason ClarkDramaturg ................................................................................................................................. Molly ClasenAssistant Director ...................................................................................................... Marzena BukowskaScenic Painters .................................................................................. Hayley Carbonaro, Ashley Woods

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association+ Denotes Provision Theater Company Member

PROVIS ION STAFF

Founding Artistic Director.......................................................................................Timothy Gregory*+Education Director/Office Manager/House Manager ..................................... Priscilla Hummel+Box Office Manager ....................................................................................................... Megan GallagherMarketing Coordinator ........................................................................................................Lynda PasteurFacilities Manager .............................................................................................................. Alfredo AguilarResident Production Stage Manager ............................................................................. Kari Warning*Assistant Box Office Manager ............................................................................................Kenneth HeftBox Office Associates ........................................................................Cara Dickason, Martin GonzalezWeb Designer ................................................................................................................................Luke RennPhotographers.................................................................................................................Megan Gallagher, John Gedeon Jr.+, John Hockberger

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association+ Denotes Provision Theater Company Member

PROVIS ION COMPANY MEMBERS

PROVIS ION BOARD OF D IRECTORS

Brad Armacost*Rod Armentrout*John Gedeon Jr.Alex Goodrich*

Timothy Gregory*Priscilla Hummel

Alaric JansMichael Mahler*

Susan Moniz*Lia Mortensen*

Inseung ParkIsaac B. Turner

Colin Wassmund

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association

Bruce Leep, ChairTimothy GregoryJohn Hockberger

Dennis MassaroKevin MooreFrances Ryan

4 Provision Theater

WRITER / D IRECTOR ’S NOTES

Last year, in my research for an entirely different project, I stumbled upon the transcripts of actual debates and exchanges between George Bernard Shaw and G.K. Chesterton. I was impressed by how brilliant, humorous and entertaining both gentlemen were in making their respective cases. I was also struck by how eerily relevant their arguments were almost 100 years ago in relation to many of the same arguments we hear from politicians and pundits today. Most of all, I

was shocked to learn that while they vehemently disagreed on just about everything, they were also great friends. So, that provoked a question: in a world where it seems that we as a society are more polarized and divided than ever, can we really be friends with those who do not share our deepest convictions? Or do we fall into the trap of relegating them to the proverbial status of “evil, crazy or stupid”?

I think we can learn from Shaw and Chesterton. In their constant turning toward each other in difference, these “fighting friends” achieved real dialogue in debate. Through their debates, they showed us that our real opponent is not made of flesh and blood. Our real opponent is ignorance, and I hope that is the opponent of all of us as we engage those with whom we disagree. If so, we are fundamentally friends—not enemies—since we seek the same thing. This is a major reason why Shaw and Chesterton sought out each other. This is why we dare to consider those we disagree with as special friends and allies. Their opposition helps us to be surer of the truth—as iron sharpens iron, as a sparring partner strengthens our muscles, or as a debate confirms our position.

SHAW VS CHESTERTON: THE DEBATE is part fact, part fiction, and is based on characters who actually lived. It is a historical work as well as a work of the imagination. Some “facts” have been altered because of the demands of the story. For example, there were many debates and exchanges between these two, but compiling them into one event was necessary for the theatricality of the play. Shaw, Chesterton, and Belloc were real people, and their characters are based on extensive research.

The following source material was used in the creation of this play:

George Bernard Shaw: His Life and Personality by Hesketh PearsonThe Portable Bernard Shaw edited by Stanley WeintraubSix Studies in Quarrelling by Vincent BromeNot Bloody Likely by Bernard ShawGreat Conversations by Louis BiancolliCollected Works by G.K. ChestertonIn Defense of Sanity by G.K. Chesterton (selected by Ahlquist, Pearce and Mackey)Shaw and Chesterton: The Metaphysical Jesters by William B. FurlongCommon Sense: Lessons from G.K. Chesterton by Dale AhlquistWisdom and Innocence: A life of G.K. Chesterton by Joseph PearceG.K. Chesterton by Ian KerThe Annual of Bernard Shaw Studies edited by Fred D. Crawford

5Shaw vs. Chesterton: The Debate

8 Provision Theater

CAST PROFILES

Brad Armacost (GK Chesterton) is a Company Member of Provision Theater. For three years he portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, for which he

received a Jeff Award nomination and had the pleasure of working with his son, Evan. He followed as C.S. Lewis in C. S. Lewis, On Stage and Shadowlands, both of which received Jeff nominations. He has appeared with John Mahoney in A Life at Northlight Theatre and Seafarer at Steppenwolf. Other Steppenwolf appearances include Playboy of the Western World, Maria Arndt, and Faith Healer (for which he received the Joseph Jefferson Award). He has appeared at the Goodman Theatre in A Touch of the Poet (with Brian Dennehy), The Trip to Bountiful, Oedipus Complex, Zoo Story, and Chicago Boys. He was also seen last season in The Madness of King George and Elizabeth Rex at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Brad is an Artistic Associate with Seanachai Theatre and is currently nominated for his work last season in A Moon for the Misbegotten.

Michael Downey (Belloc) makes his Provision debut in this production. He has his MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina and BS in Acting from Ball State

University. Michael has acted locally with Lifeline Theatre, First Folio, American Theatre Company, 20% Theatre Company, and The Strange Tree Group. Outside of Chicago, Michael has appeared at the Phoenix Theatre and Theatre on the Square in Indianapolis, Indiana and at Theatre South Carolina and Trustus Theatre in Columbia, South Carolina.

Larry McCauley (George Bernard Shaw) takes this opportunity to thank Timothy Gregory for this opportunity to give his debut Provision Theater performance. No stranger

to Chicago stages for this past half-century, Larry has also played in one Broadway show—Tennessee’s Night of the Iguana at Roundabout, New York—as Cherry Jones’ “Nonno.” Among many Shakespearean roles, Larry played Shylock in San Antionio for Arthur Bloom, author of recent biographies of Edwin Booth and Joseph Jefferson. In Chicago, he originated the part of Thomas Dunne in Sebastien Barry’s The Steward of Christendom and was grateful to be a member of Bill Pullinsi’s farce-troupe at Forum Theatre for a number of seasons. He has performed in a good number of musicals at Candlelight, Marriott’s Lincolnshire, and Melody Top/Milwaukee, as well as Pacific Conservatory in California. Larry remains eternally grateful to his faithful colleagues (now lamentably deceased) Ajax the Cockapoo, Gertie the Dachshund, Charley the Yorkie, and Henrietta the Wonder-Cat (found back-stage at Wisdom Bridge). He has, for thirty-three continuous years, put his trust in a Power Greater than all princes and producers and so far it works.

Mike Rogalski (Shaw Understudy) played the roles of Mr. Kan and Mr. Smit in Provision Theater’s The Hiding Place and appeared as Mr. Klemper in the company’s

production of The Boys Next Door. He has appeared in other Chicago-area productions as well, including work with SiNNERMAN Ensemble, Stage Left Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He is a member of the board of directors of Chicago dance company Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak.

10 Provision Theater

PRODUCTION STAFF B IOGR APHIES

Timothy Gregory (Adapter/Director) is the Founding Artistic Director of Provision Theater. Recently at Provision, he has directed productions of The Foreigner, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, Bonhoeffer’s Cost, Wonders Never Cease, Sanders Family Christmas and Godspell. Other Provision Theater directing credits include the Jefferson Award–Nominated productions of Shadowlands, The Hiding Place, C.S. Lesis On Stage, The Spitfire Grill, A Christmas Carol, Beast on the Moon and A Christmas Memory & The Thanksgiving Visitor. Other directing credits include The Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Welcome, Yule! at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera; Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland at Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre; The Twilight of the Golds, The Diary of Anne Frank and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry at the Apple Tree Theatre; Plaza Suite at the Lyric Theatre; and ’Dentity Crisis at the Studio Theatre. Timothy’s acting credits include numerous roles at Provision Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook Theatre, Next Theatre Company, as well as the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. His television credits include Cupid on ABC, DeClassified on WGN and Family Practice on LIFETIME. Timothy can now be seen as the host of HGTV’s New Spaces.

Inseung Park (Scenic Designer) returns to Provision Theatre where previous credits include The Hiding Place (Jeff Award nomination in Scene design, 2010), Godspell, Sanders Family Christmas, Shadowlands, Wonders Never Cease, Bonhoeffer’s Cost, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, and The Foreigner. He has designed for Overshadowed Theatrical Productions, South Bend Civic

Theatre, Looking Glass theatre in New York, and Indiana University South Bend where he teaches numerous design classes. His work is also shown in the film, Wake (grand prize in Kodak competition, 2004), which screened at numerous film festivals, including Cannes International Film Festival. Upcoming productions include The Mistakes Madeline Made for LiveWire Chicago, Smash for Indiana University South Bend, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for Theatre At The Center. He holds an MFA at University of Texas Austin and a BFA at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Marly Wooster (Lighting Designer) is pleased to be returning to Provision after designing The Foreigner last spring. Other Chicago area credits include: Tunnel Rat with Genesis Productions, A Christmas Carol with Citadel Theatre, and House of Yes with 20% Theatre Chicago. Outside the city, Marly has designed The Nutcracker and Art that Rocks for the Peoria Ballet, and many, many musicals for The Clinton Area Showboat Theater including: Rent, Evita, The Drowsy Chaperone, ...Spelling Bee, and Into the Woods. Marly has an MFA in Lighting Design from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. This fall, she will be designing Other People’s Money at Citadel Theater and Winter Wonderettes for Fox Valley Repertory Theater in St. Charles. Marly would like to thank Cassie and her family for their never-ending support.

Cara Adams (Costume Designer) Originally from Maine, Cara is a recent recipient of a BFA in Costume Design from the Theatre School at DePaul University. In addition to working with Provision, she is designing costumes with Fledgling Company’s The Blind Owl. Costume Design credits include Crave, Nancy Drew and The Sign of the Twisted Candles, Hedda Gabler, Cabaret, and

12 Provision Theater

PRODUCTION STAFF B IOGR APHIES c o n t.

Blood Wedding. Cara is also interested in illustration and has had art recently featured in the North Center Arts Festival.

Daniel Carlyon (Sound Designer) has been designing sound since he was fourteen and doing it well since a few years after that. At Provision: The Foreigner, The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, Bonhoeffer’s Cost (associate designer). Other credits: No Stopping, No Warping, No Dying (Chicago Inernational Fringe Festival), Henry V (Promethean Theatre Ensemble, also original music), Waa-Mu 2012: Off the Map (Northwestern University), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (City Lit Theatre), Quake (Buzz22 Chicago, also original music), Residue (Buzz22 Chicago), Titanic (Cock & Bull Theatre), Seven Doors (Premiere Theatre and Performance), Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy (New Suit Theatre),The Body Snatchers (City Lit Theatre, also video design). As assistant designer: Immediate Family (The Goodman), Murder for Two (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Jeff nomination), The Retributionists (Playwrights Horizons), Broke-Ology (Lincoln Center Theatre), Short Shakespeare! Macbeth (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre). Daniel graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in Theatre. He will probably have a website soon.

Alfredo Aguilar (Production Manager/Technical Director/Assistant Stage Manager/Facilities Manager) Alfredo Aguilar is excited to be joining the cast and crew of Provision Theater for the first time. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA where he received his BFA in Arts Management and Theatre. Since graduating, he has traveled quite a distance, Technical Directing and Production Managing for various theatre and production companies across the U.S. In Chicago, he has worked with such companies as Polarity Theatre Ensemble, The Building Stage, Northwestern

University Opera Department, Next Theatre, Jonny Staxx Presents: Big Top Jojo, Collaboraction, Pegasus Players, as well as becoming a freelance electrician for Chicago Spotlight, Event Creative and Chicago Stagehand. Outside of Chicago, he has worked with Trumpet in the Land, North Shore Music, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Naples Dinner Theatre, Zeitgeist Stage, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Alfredo is excited to finally call Chicago his home and would like to thank his family, friends, Samantha, and cat Gizmo for all of their love and support.

Kari Warning (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be returning to Provision Theater as their Production Stage Manager. She last worked with Provision Theater as Production Manager/Assistant Stage Manager/Wardrobe Supervisor for their production of The Foreigner. Kari is a central Illinois native who graduated with a B.A in Theatre from Western Illinois University. Kari began her stage management career in Coldwater, Michigan for Tibbits Opera House’s 2010 and 2011 summer stock seasons. Some Tibbits credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Crazy for You, The Full Monty, Working, Out of Order and Run for your Wife. Favorite Chicago credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Stage Manager, Moraine Valley Community College), Merrily We Roll Along (Costume Supervisor, The Musical Theatre Company), and My Fair Lady (Stage Manager, Moraine Valley Community College). Kari would like to thank her parents, Corey, Mal, and Ryan for all of their love and support.

Scott Pillsbury (Master Electrician) has designed, served as Master Electrician, or assistant designed for several different theaters and dance companies since arriving in Chicago in 2000: Albany Park Theater Project, Ballet Chicago, Beverly Theater Guild and Arts Center,

14 Provision Theater

PRODUCTION STAFF B IOGR APHIES c o n t.

BoHo Theater, Collaboraction, Five Star Productions, GI Alliance, Gift Theatre, Neo Futurist, Prevail Dance Company, Prologue Theater, Pure Renditionz, Shapeshifters, Strange Tree, Theatre of Western Springs and Theatre Wit. Films: “Dead in the Water”, “Lac Du Flambeau”, “Something to Eat”, ”Tapioca and Measure”.

Molly Clasen (Dramaturg) is pleased to serve as the production’s dramaturg. She recently completed her Dramaturgy/Literary Management internship at Actors Theatre of Louisville where she served as dramaturg for nine devised solo performance pieces, two productions for the Apprentice Company, and three ten-minute plays. She has also worked as an assistant dramaturg for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, A Christmas Carol, and In the

Next Room (or the vibrator play), as well as Oh, Gastronomy!, The Hour of Feeling, How We Got On, and The Veri**on Play during the 2012 Humana Festival. As an independent project, Molly wrote and co-produced The Car Plays, a five-part, site-specific series of one-act plays. An aspiring playwright and writer, Molly holds a bachelors degree in English Literature from Pacific University.

Marzena Bukowska (Assistant Director) is happy to return to Provision Theater where she was last seen in A Christmas Carol. Her theatre credits include works with Trap Door Theatre, First Folio, A Red Orchid, Eclipse, Pegasus, Borealis and Fourth Wall Productions. Marzena holds a BA in Theatre from University of Illinois at Chicago and an MFA in Performance from University of Georgia.

“ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE,AND ALL THE MEN AND

WOMEN MERELY PLAYERS.”Open casting call for the Lead role (full time) of

ADVERTISING SALESMANSupporting roles (part time) are also being cast.

Show is open ended and has been running in Chicago since 1996.

Male or Female actors may apply. All ages will be considered. Candidates must be

comfortable in front of a live audience and be able to handle the physical demands of daily performances.

Please send bio and headshot(resume and cover letter) to:

SALESJOB@FOOTLIGHTS.COM

FOR TICKETS: 847-242-6000 | writerstheatre.org

HAMLETBY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

DIRECTED BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MICHAEL HALBERSTAM

FeaturingKAREEM BANDEALY*, MICHAEL CANAVAN*, SHANNON COCHRAN*, BILLY FENDERSON,

WITOLD HUZIOR, TIMOTHY EDWARD KANE*, ROSS LEHMAN*, LIESEL MATTHEWS*,

JULIAN PARKER, SCOTT PARKINSON* AND LARRY YANDO*

*Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, theUnion of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

2012/13 Season Sponsor Corporate Sponsor Partner

BEGINS SEPTEMBER 4PERFORMED AT 325 TUDOR COURT, GLENCOE