Aug. 04--The New Colony has announced its 2016 season, the first with four shows for the Wicker Park theater company dedicated to premiering new works. The first three titles are below; a fourth will be announced at a later date. All will be staged in the New Colony's home at the Den Theatre (1333 N. Milwaukee Ave.). The first show of the season is a co-production with Chicago's Definition Theatre that will also debut the same weekend in several other cities as part of shared audience talkback.
"Byhalia, Mississippi" (Jan. 8 -- Feb. 14, 2016): Written by co-artistic director Evan Linder, directed by Tyrone Phillips, in collaboration with Definition Theatre Company. A poor white couple find itself tested when a baby is born half African-American in a small Mississippi town with a racially-charged past. Part of a "World Premiere Conversation" project, with the same play debuting the same weekend in Memphis, Tenn., and Charleston, S.C., as well as with staged readings in four other cities. Audiences will be invited to participate in a joint online talkback.
"Even Longer and Farther Away" (April 8 -- May 15, 2016): Written by Chelsea Marcantel, directed by Thrisa Hodits. A story of two sisters with a secret in a tiny town in Appalachia.
"Kin Folk" (July 8 -- Aug. 14, 2016): Written by William Glick, directed by Linder. A fantastical story of Lucy, who must come out of the closet and reveal her true identity to her family: a dragon named Kreeka.
