Encounters of the Packer kind

Posted by DCA Theater on October 25, 2010 in July-December 2010 Season, Factory Theater's "1985"

by Lindsay Verstegen, cast member (Julia) of 1985

I brought my camera to the most recent matinee of 1985. I must have sensed something magical was going to happen for this particular performance. As mentioned in a previous blog post, I am a Packer fan among Bears fans here in Chicago and here in this show. 

Action was happening onstage, but the real star was in the audience during the matinee. Sitting front row was a gentleman in full Packer attire (a Reggie White jersey even!) who created a tension among cast members, pre-show. How would he like it? Would he laugh? What were his intentions?

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Factory Theater meets Ditka

Posted by DCA Theater on October 13, 2010 in July-December 2010 Season, Factory Theater's "1985"

Factory Theater meets Mike Ditka!!  Check out their video of their attempt to get “da Coach” to come see 1985!

Around Rehearsals in 16 Shots

Posted by DCA Theater on October 4, 2010 in July-December 2010 Season, Factory Theater's "1985"

by Lindsay Verstegen, cast member (Julia) of 1985

We are in the homestretch. We are in that final push to the endzone, if you will. We are feeling the final few ticks of the game clock.

1985 opens this week.

Because I’ve been in rehearsal, I’ve been neglecting my friend, my camera.  Deciding that enough is enough, I brought the camera to rehearsal to capture some magic.

You can catch the whole collection in my Flicker stream HERE.

I call this collection “Around rehearsal in 16 shots.”

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A Confession, dear Chicago

Posted by DCA Theater on September 23, 2010 in July-December 2010 Season, Factory Theater's "1985"

by Lindsay Verstegen, cast member (Julia) of 1985

Bless me, Chicago, for I have sinned. It has been a looong time since my last confession.

I love the Lombardi legacy.

There, I said it. I said it out loud. I rarely advertise these sorts of ideas in the Windy City. I know better.

Let me explain…
Doing 1985, a play that is very Bear-centric, has it’s challenges.

Is it a challenge to hang out with some damn funny people in rehearsal night after night? Nah, there’s no challenge there. The whole cast of this show is funny and smart and makes me giggle nearly every night. I think I may finally have figured out how to resist laughing while onstage with Scott Oken.

Is it hard to adapt to this totalitarian state Chas Vrba has invented through writing this play? Nah, that’s okay too. The characters are dynamic and the lovely dynamic between Orwell’s concept for 1984 and this play are something to marvel at.

Is it a challenge to hear the words “I Love the Lombardi legacy!” shouted at full-voice by another character onstage and suppress the urge to jump up and down and holler along in joy, in blissful agreement?

YES, INDEED. NOW THAT IS A CHALLENGE.

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1985 in Chicago Sun-Times QUICK HITS

Posted by DCA Theater on September 23, 2010 in July-December 2010 Season, Factory Theater's "1985"

Playwright Chas Vrba sat down with Elliott Harris, Quick Hits sports columnist with the Chicago Sun-Times, to discuss the Bears, George Orwell and his upcoming play 1985 at Chicago DCA Storefront Theater.  Here’s an excerpt below:

September 23, 2010

Bring up 1985, and Bears fans will think fondly of the season that brought the team its first (uh, and only) Super Bowl crown.

That season helped inspire Chas Vrba to write ‘‘1985.’‘

Vrba took time to answer some Quick Hits questions:

1. Might fans be better off reminiscing about 25 years ago - even in an Orwellian setting?

CV: I think it was Studs Terkel who pointed out ‘‘Hope Dies Last.’’ When the 2010 Bears started 0-3 in the preseason, the hardcore Bears fan could point to the 1985 team as having done the exact same thing. However, the ‘85 team also kicked the snot out of the [Buffalo] Bills in their final preseason game, whereas the 2010 team lost to a Cardinals team that felt comfortable releasing their ‘‘franchise’’ quarterback shortly after the game. So yeah, even in an Orwellian setting, the old memories might be of more value to a fans well-being than the memories that stand to be created by the current squad. Although, the current ‘‘One City, One Team’’ ad campaign suggests the team might be setting up an Orwellian Universe for the present day.

2. What genre of play might be best suited for the 2010 team?

CV: I would imagine a good mystery or old fashioned ‘‘whodunit’’ would serve them well. They are definitely experienced in searching for clues and trying to find answers. Then again, perhaps a slapstick comedy. Being able to laugh might not be such a bad thing.

To read the full interview online CLICK HERE
 

And check out video below for Elliott Harris’s video interview with playwright, Chas Vrba and director, Eric Roach: