March 18--Victory Gardens Theater announced its 2015-16 roster on Wednesday. The theater's 41st season includes five plays, four of which are new to Chicago.
First is "Sucker Punch" (Sept. 18-Oct. 18) by Roy Williams. Williams' drama, set in 1980s London, examines the heated world of boxing from the perspective of two young black boxers. Dexter Bullard will direct the production.
Then comes a revival of John Logan's "Never the Sinner" (Nov. 6-Dec. 6) directed by Gary Griffin. This early play by Logan, who would go on to have many successes on Broadway ("Red") and in film ("Skyfall"), premiered at the now-defunct Stormfield Theatre in 1985, and starred Denis O'Hare. It is about the infamous Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb murder trial.
"Cocked" (Feb. 12-March 13), a new play by Sarah Gubbins is next. Gubbins' drama takes place in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, and is set in motion by the arrival of a woman's unstable brother into the home she shares with her girlfriend. Joanie Schultz directs.
Next, Chay Yew will stage a new play by Lucas Hnath, "Hillary and Clinton" (April 1-May 1) in the spring. Hnath's fictionalized spin on history imagines the politician in her hotel room as she is about to lose the 2008 New Hampshire primary election.
And the season closes with a new play by Marcus Gardley called "The House That Will Not Stand" (June 10-July 10). The drama takes place in 1836 New Orleans, and is about a woman whose family's security and stability is threatened after the death of her husband. Chay Yew will direct the production.
Victory Gardens Biograph Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
