MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION by George Bernard Shaw
Adapted by Melanie SpewockMarch 14, 2020 – Due to the public health risk accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic, Promethean cancelled the remaining performances of Mrs. Warren’s Profession. Thank you to all the artists, audiences, and well-wishers who made this project such a success.
Directed by Michael D. Graham
George Bernard Shaw’s funny and relevant attack on hypocrisy. Educated, emancipated Vivie Warren learns that her comfortable life has been entirely funded by her mother’s ill-gotten gains. Can she accept her mother’s past? Can she accept her mother’s continued support? What option does she, or any woman, have?
When he wrote Mrs. Warren’s Profession in 1893, Shaw believed it was unlikely to ever see a public performance. He said, “I do not think there is the least chance of the play being licensed.” And it was not; the Lord Chamberlain refused to grant permission for a production, calling it “immoral and otherwise improper for the stage.” It wasn’t that prostitutes and promiscuity could not be shown on the English stage – they frequently were. It was Shaw’s pragmatic, prosaic, and political take on sex work that was simply too scandalous to be seen. Promethean’s Season 14 continues with Melanie Spewock’s adaptation of this humorous take on limited opportunities for women in the late 19th century. Performances will take place at Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N Clark St.
Creatives & Crew
Director – Michael D. Graham
Stage Manager – Si Squires-Kasten
Production Manager – Alexa Berkowitz*
Costume Designer – Carrie Campana**
Set Designer & Tech Director – Conor Clark
Dialect Coach – Catherine Gillespie**
Lighting Designer – Ellie Humphrys
Props Designer – Maya Jain
Sound Designer – Colin Kovarik
Photography – Tom McGrath**
Dramaturg – Melanie Spewock
Performances:
February 28 – March 29, 2020
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:30pm
Press Opening:
March 2, 2020 at 7:30pm
Post-show Discussion:
March 8, 2020 after the 2:30pm show
Understudy Performance:
March 11, 2020 at 7:30pm
Industry Night:
March 16, 2020 at 7:30pm
Venue Information:
Performed at Otherworld Theatre
3914 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60613
Applause
How is it possible that a 19th Century play by George Bernard Shaw could be so on trend for today? As always, Promethean delivers the goods. And it is all about the performances.
Bill Esler
Buzz Center Stage
…a prescient and holistic exploration of capitalism, exploitation, self-empowerment, gender dynamics, and the hypocrisy of “polite” society…. a biting, whirlwind performance by Elaine Carlson in the title role.
Dan Jakes
Chicago Reader
Jeff Nominations:
Elaine Carlson, performer in a principal role, play
Tracey Greenwood, performer in a principal role, play
This is nothing less than a superb production and, by that, I don’t mean a superb production given the inherent limitations and minuscule budget of a storefront theatre. It is first-rate, period….you owe it to yourself to see this powerful and enduring drama at one of Chicago’s truly excellent small theatre companies.
Michael Antman
Splash Magazines
Cast
Elaine Carlson*
Tracey Greenwood
Jared Dennis*
Ted Hoerl
Ross Frawley
Chris Woolsey
**Indicates PTE artistic associate