Description
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY
Ensemble Member Levi Holloway
PERFORMANCE RUN
May 2-June 22, 2024
SEASON
Season 31
World Premiere!
Two men survive in a facility deep underground somewhere in the wild woods of the Pacific Northwest, hiding away from something terrible looming just outside. Ensnared in a relentless loop of endless tomorrows, they discover the wolf isn’t at the door, he’s already inside, waiting in the creeping darkness all around them. Turret is an excavation of masculinity, love, loss and isolation. A claustrophobic carnival of carnage, cribbage, whiskey, music, mischief and mayhem.
CAST
Green | Founding Ensemble Member Michael Shannon*
Rabbit | Associate Artistic Director Travis A. Knight*
Birdy | Founding Ensemble Member Lawrence Grimm*
U/S Green | Founding Ensemble Member Lawrence Grimm*
U/S Rabbit | Felipe Carrasco
U/S Birdy | Drew Vidal
CREATIVE TEAM
Playwright & Director | Ensemble Member Levi Holloway
Scenic Design | Ensemble Member Grant Sabin^
Costume Design | Ensemble Member Myron Elliott^
Lighting Design | Ensemble Member Mike Durst^
Master Electrician | Duncan Hon
Sound Design | Jeffrey Levin^
Props Design | Rowan Doe
Props Assistant | Jamie Auer
Projections Designer | Paul Deziel^
Fight Choreographer | Max Fabian
Movement Director | Drew Vidal
Technical Director | Tom Daniel
Carpenters | Josh Fitch, McManus
Stage Manager | JC Widman*
Assistant Stage Manager | Faith Locke
Second Assistant Stage Manager | Taylor Owen
Production Manager | Patrick Starner
Assistant Director | Ensemble Member Sadieh Rifai
Dramaturg & Script Supervisor | Hilary Williams
Casting Assistant | Kyle Stoffers
Poster Image Artist | Ensemble Member Levi Holloway
*denotes member of Actors Equity Association, Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers
^ Member of United Scenic Artists-Local USA 829-IATSE
Turret includes depictions of or references to the following: Profanity, physical violence, death, body horror, loss or grief, alcohol use or abuse
WBEZ: “Michael Shannon is back to searing, in-your-face Chicago theatre” (published May 1)
WGN Radio: “Turret world premiere starring Michael Shannon at Chopin Theatre” (published May 1)
WGN TV: “Academy Award winner Michael Shannon back on stage in Chicago in Turret” (published May 3)
Chicago Tribune: “A Red Orchid’s new play ‘Turret’ has a father’s ghost — and Michael Shannon trapped in a bunker” (published May 9)
Playbill: “Michael Shannon returns to his roots in Turret in Chicago” (published May 13)
Third Coast Review: “Michael Shannon & Travis Knight talk about Turret, working with an ensemble and being fearless onstage” (published May 13)
NBC Chicago: “Turret debuts at Chopin Theatre: A tale of survival & fatherhood” (aired May 20)
NBC Chicago: “Michael Shannon reflects on 30 years with A Red Orchid Theatre” (aired May 20)
Jeff Recommended!
“Turret is another example, coming hard upon, of Chicago theater at its very best. You would not want to miss the chance.” -Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune (4 out of 4 stars)
“In turns, ominous, humorous and flat-out weird, Turret is a star turn for everyone involved.” Catey Sullivan, Chicago Sun-Times (3.5 out of 4 stars)
“The 21st century’s answer to Samuel Beckett’s Endgame… A rich and absorbing, and surprisingly funny, creation of a world that is simultaneously familiar and horrifying, comforting and cold.” Kerry Reid, Chicago Reader (Reader Recommended)
“Turret is a powerful puzzle-box of a play.” -Karen Topham, Chicago On Stage (Highly Recommended)
“A spell binder that will hold your attention and grab you from start to finish.” -Alan Bresloff, Around The Town Chicago (Highly Recommended)
“This play is a warning and a tragedy. It spins out the most human of instincts to connect and to destroy like a spider’s web. And it explores masculinity in a compellingly impressionistic way… It was cathartic to travel the journey with these masterful actors who told their story with heart and truth.” -Angela Allyn, Chicago Stage & Screen (Highly Recommended)
“Turret is a thriller for the philosophical mind: it asks us how wild animals become domesticated and how domesticated animals become free. It asks what happens to every act of love we pour into another person… Knowing that tomorrow may happen without you, what will you do, what will you be, and who will you care for today?” -Row Light, Third Coast Review (Highly Recommended)
“In addition to its brilliant playwright/director, and a cast of three gifted, experienced actors, this show is a technical marvel.” -Colin Douglas, Chicago Theatre Review (Recommended)