Baal

By Bertolt Brecht

Directed by Zeljko Djukic

Original Music by Josh Schmidt

Chicago - May 20 - June 20 2010 - Chopin Studio Theatre

Featuring

Baal : Ian Westerfer
Emilie : Jacqueline Stone
Johanna : Lindsey Gavel
Luise : Dana Black
Sophie : Stacie Beth Green
Johannes : Ben Harris
Young Girl : Rachel Rizzuto
Mjurk : Dana Wall
Mech : Steve Hadnagy
Pillar : Ted Evans
Ekart : Peter Oyloe

 

Music Direction : Wain Parham
Scenic Design : Brandon Wardell
Costume Design : Natasha Djukic
Lighting Design : Keith Parham
Sound Design : Chris Kriz
Properties Design : Joel Lambie
Stage Management : Helen Lattyak
Dramaturg : Jacob Juntunen
Artistic Director : Zeljko Djukic


REVIEWS

Top 25 Chicago Plays of 2010 -Chicago Theater Beat

 

“Djukic’s mesmerizing production…succeeds in every needed way.  From its use of Peter Tegel’s poetic translation, to Brandon Wardell’s gorgeously dilapidated set and Keith Parham’s precise lighting, to the interpolation of new Weill-worthy cabaret settings by composer Josh Schmidt, accompanied by a multitalented cast, Djukic’s choices unify and elevate the material.”

-Timeout Chicago (Full review)

 

“With the help of a first-rate cast, Keith Parham's expressionistic lighting, and Josh Schmidt's fine folk-rock settings of Brecht poems, TUTA Theatre artistic director Zeljko Djukic creates a vivid, dreamlike work of stage poetry.”

-Chicago Reader (Full review)

 

“Baal” is not about a jerk turning the romance on and off. It's an intensely evocative show — carrying you in its sleazy arms from the outer lobby of the Chopin Theatre basement into its creative subterranean crucible."

-Chicago Tribune (Full review)

 

This Baal is not like any Bertolt Brecht show you may have seen. If you want to see theatre as art, get to Chopin Theatre’s studio theatre to see Baal. You’ll be amazed at the power of live theatre. Baal deserves a large audience for every performance. Baal is one of the finest shows of 2010.”

-Chicago Critic (Full review)

 

This early Brecht musical, centering around a hedonistic antihero, presents a huge intellectual and aesthetic challenge to any acting company, but after TUTA’s The Wedding this fall, another early Brecht adaptation, it’s no surprise that director Zeljko Djukic handles it adeptly.”

-NewCity (Full review)

 

This production tells the story perfectly and if one thinks about it, there are some parallels with our times as far as the economy, the arts and relationships.”

-Steadstyle.com (Full review


TUTA acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, The Light A City Fund, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.