BlackTop Sky

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA ANDERSON

ABOUT THE PLAY...
After police rough up a street vendor near the David L. Hynn Housing Projects, Ida takes an interest in the homeless man who sleeps on a nearby bench. When an unlikely friendship emerges, will it strengthen her connection to home or drive her away in search of a new life? The Chicago Premiere of BlackTop Sky, from celebrated playwright Christina Anderson, examines the intersection of love, violence and seduction inside an institution with a haunting Chicago legacy: the public housing project.

FEATURING...
Kristin E. Ellis as Ida
Julian Parker as Klass
and Eric Lynch as Wynn

"He had this pocket radio that he kept close to his ear. He was holdin' it up like this, like he’s holdin' on to a lil’ bird. And that bird is singin' some kind of sweet song. He had this pocket radio that he kept close to his ear. A song he’s tryin' to keep all to himself. Antonio was straight up mindin' his own business."

PRESS...
"...really exciting...the performances are so spectacular..." - WBEZ

"RECOMMENDED...a compelling look at community in crisis..." - Newcity Stage

"This dynamic, urgent urban poem tells the story of three characters whose dreams for a better life yearn to break through the walls of the world they've been given. Come join Theatre Seven at the Steppenwolf Garage for a thrilling and important Chicago story."

“RECOMMENDED...a cry from the urban heart" - Chicago Sun-Times

"I want a nice place.
Lots of windows.
Lots of light. I want to see the sky.
I want a view. Not just staring into the side of another building."

ABOUT THEATRE SEVEN OF CHICAGO...
Theatre Seven of Chicago produces new work that tells the diverse Chicago story from as many perspectives as possible, and the auxiliary programming we shape around that work creates meaningful dialogue about our city and its people. In 6 seasons, we have offered 16 productions which have been seen by over 11,000 audience members and created by over 200 artists. The company has been nominated for 3 Jeff Awards, 2 Black Theatre Alliance Awards, and is three-time finalist for and 2012 winner of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theatre Award.

ABOUT THE GARAGE REP...
Garage Rep, presents the work of three of Chicago’s most innovative storefront theater companies in rotating rep under Steppenwolf’s banner. Steppenwolf invites applications from companies around the city. With this program we aim to learn from the next generation about what excites them; we aim to introduce Steppenwolf audiences to their work and their audiences to ours; and above all, we aim to contribute to the ongoing vibrancy of Chicago’s theater ecology. Here's your chance to see the work of three new companies ready to make their mark.

PRODUCTION TEAM...
Director: Cassy Sanders
Production Manager: Jennifer McClendon
Stage Manager: Taylor Fenderbosch
Scenic Design: Lizzie Bracken
Sound Design: Christopher M. Laporte
Props Design: Toni Kendrick
Lighting Design: Lee Keenan
Costume Designer: Brenda Winstead
Technical Director: Christopher Kristant
Asst. Lighting Designer: Emma Deane
Asst. Stage Manager: Allaina Blackwell
Asst. Stage Manager - Zavarie Irons
Asst. Stage Manager - Cordie Nelson
Sound Board Op.- Rachel Speare
Asst. Director & Dramaturgical Asst. - Paige Collins
Dramaturgical Asst. & Community Outreach - Isabel Ellison
Understudies: Marjie Southerland, Dominique Worsley