MARY-ARRCHIE BLOG

Director Carlo Lorenzo Garcia treats Chicago to a brilliant US premiere of playwright Douglas Maxwell’s beguiling script. If there is ONE reason to bundle up and venture out into the otherworldly arctic tundra, it is to be sure to see one of the closing weekend performances of Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company’s incredible OUR BAD MAGNET.

It stands as a shining example of why Off-Loop theater in Chicago is one of the biggest reasons why this city is incomparable. You can spend $95 on a ticket to Dirty Dancing the musical, a by-product of a product, or you can spend about $20 on OUR BAD MAGNET which is thrilling bona fide theatrical art.

Maxwell is a storyteller of the highest order. His non-linier tale tells of three 9-year-old boys who befriend a sad misfit with the ability to write fantastical fairy tales. He constructs his characters beautifully by deconstructing stereotypes. They are warm and real, flawed and funny. The development of the story shows lovely and unpredictable dramatic architecture, gently transporting us from real to make-believe and ultimately creating an unpredictable emotional cross-over that is both tragically heartbreaking and endearingly enchanting. The ending is poignantly staggering.

The deceptively simplistic surface of the story requires intuitive complexity to execute successfully and Garcia compiles a wonderful ensemble to do so. The engaging performances create connection with the characters. You care deeply about these boys/men and that created compassion fuels the humor and drama. The undeniable and compelling chemistry between the characters is splendid.

Garcia stumbled on the script at a bookstore, read it through in one sitting and knew he had to tell the stories on stage. His magnificently realized vision is an outstanding achievement.

Not since The Hypocrites’ The Fourth Graders Present an Unnamed Love-Suicide has the profound emotional impact of childhood fables been so beautifully created. Garcia is a gifted young director to be on the look out for and OUR BAD MAGNET is a powerfully enchanting and uniquely entertaining show NOT TO BE MISSED!

4 STARS

(”OUR BAD MAGNET” runs through January 18 at Angel Island, 735 W. Sheridan. 773-871-0442.)

By Venus Zarris, Chicago Stage Review

Source: http://www.chicagostagereview.com/?p=2434

It’s been a fantastic year for Mary-Arrchie, we are truly grateful for the successes, recognition, and support that we have received in 2008. And as we say good-bye, we look forward to continuing our journey into 2009!

Here is a look back at the success and recognition Mary-Arrchie Theatre and Company have received in 2008:

We kicked off 2008 with a Jeff Recommended production of ‘The Caretaker’ by the late Harold Pinter, it was well received and even received an Honorable Mention in the best shows of 2008, according to Hedy Weiss (Sun-Times)

Artistic Director, Richard Cotovsky, who embodied the “caretaker”, was featured in TimeOut Chicago, understudied Micheal McKean in ‘Superior Donuts’ at Steppenwolf, appeared in ‘Heroes and Villains’ with Collaboraction and a short film entitled “The Professional Interview”.

Producing Director, Hans Fleischmann was honored with a Best Supporting Actor Award from the Non-equity Jeff Committee for his work on Neil Labute’s ‘In a Dark Dark House’ at Profiles, he also directed ‘The Caretaker’ and appeared in Griffin’s production of ‘Journey’s End’ as well as a few TV commercials. Hans recently filmed a guest starring role on Patrick Swayze’s new cop drama ‘The Beast’ which premieres on A&E. Hans will be re-locating to Los Angeles on January 14th.

Ron Wells also received a Best Supporting Actor award for his work on Mary-Arrchie’s production of ‘A Prayer for My Daughter’

Company member, Todd Lahrman appeared in ‘The Caretaker’ as well as Profile’s recent production of ‘Men of Tortuga’.

The season continued with ‘Beggars in the House of Plenty’ by John Patrick Shanley, which received an Honorable Mention as one of 2008’s best Fringe shows by Nina Metz (Chicago Tribune) ‘Beggars’ featured four M-A company members, including Karl Potthoff and Shannon Clausen

Company Member, Daniel Behrendt was also honored by Nina Metz in Newcity’s top 5 male performers of 2008 for his work in ‘Beggars’. Daniel also appeared in ‘The Misanthrope’ with Greasy Joan & Co. and can currently be seen in the recently extended production of ‘Our Bad Magnet’ at Mary-Arrchie, which runs through January 18th!

Company Manager, Carlo Lorenzo Garcia, appeared in ‘Beggars’ with Mary-Arrchie, ‘The Misanthrope’ with Greasy Joan, and directed ‘Our Bad Magnet’ for Mary-Arrchie. Carlo also filmed the indie feature ‘Helix’ starring opposite Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) and Austin O’Brien (Promised Land), as well as industrials for Converse and Sears Pro (with Ty Pennington), and two webisodes for Pillow Talks.

Company member, Brad Bukauskas appeared in three productions with Griffin Theatre, including ‘Journey’s End’, ‘Be More Chill’, as well as the touring version of ‘Letter’s Home’. Brad also played the role of Cole in the recently premiered independent film, ‘Were the World Mine’ which has received 11 indie film festival awards.

Company Member, Joe Court designed Sound for ‘The Caretaker’, ‘Beggars in the House of Plenty’, and ‘Our Bad Magnet’ for Mary-Arrchie, and served as Festival Sound Designer for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Other 2008 sound design credits include ‘M. Butterfly’ for Bohemian Theater Ensemble, Emerald City, and ‘The Secret Rapture’ in Knoxville, TN.

Company Member, John Wilson designed Sets for ‘The Caretaker’ and ‘Beggars’, and is currently appearing in ‘Our Bad Magnet’ for Mary-Arrchie. John performed in Sketchbook with Collaboraction and his work with WNEP this year included scenic design for “Patient No. 1″ and performance in ‘Metaluna’.

Mary-Arrchie hosted the 20th Anniversary of the Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Theatre Festival, which had an amazing participant turnout! We look forward to Abbie Fest XXXI to be as exciting!

We closed out 2008 with the Jeff Recommended production of ‘Our Bad Magnet’ by Douglas Maxwell, which has been well received by critics and audiences alike and it only seemed natural to bring the spirit of ‘Our Bad Magnet’ into the new year as we kick off 2009! ‘Our Bad Magnet’ runs for 2 more weeks until January 18th! Check it out while you can! For More info: www.maryarrchie.com/now.html

So, we raise a toast to 2008 and look forward to bringing you more exciting work in 2009! We sincerely thank you for the support you have given us and all of Chicago Theatre throughout year! Thank you for keeping the theatre community alive!