Buffalo Theatre Ensemble presents “Shining City"

BUFFALO THEATRE ENSEMBLE KICKS OFF THEIR 25th Anniversary SEASON WITH CONOR McPHERSON’S “SHINING CITY”AT MCANINCH ARTS CENTER

SEPT. 23 – OCT. 9, 2011

Press Opening is Friday, Sept.  23 at 8 p.m.

Glen Ellyn, Ill. – Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) kicks off their 25th Anniversary Season with Conor McPherson’s “Shining City” directed by BTE Ensemble member Brian Burke at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, located at 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, Ill. Sept. 23 – Oct. 9.  A preview will be held Thursday is Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. Press opening is Friday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. For more information visit www.AtTheMac.org.

Sparse, compelling and frightening, “Shining City” tells the tale of John, a middle-aged Dubliner who has been recently widowed, and Ian, a former priest and John’s therapist. John walks into Ian’s office for help in dealing with Mari’s horrific auto accident, revealing he’s been haunted by Mari’s death more than figuratively. As this 90-minute 2006 Tony-nominated script unfolds, we see parallels in these two men’s lives, which build to a stimulating climax.

“Shining City” was first performed in London's West End at the Royal Court Theatre in June 2004. It opened on Broadway at Biltmore Theatre on May 9, 2006, and was nominated for two Tony Awards, including Best Play. The New York Times critic Ben Brantley described it as a "Quiet, haunting and absolutely glorious new play… as close to perfection as contemporary playwriting gets." 

Conor McPherson was born in Dublin in 1971.  In 1988, McPherson began his tenure at University College Dublin where he focused his schooling on philosophy and literature. His entrance into playwriting came in his first year at UCD after attending a university production of David Mamet’s “Sexuality Perversity in Chicago.” McPherson was inspired and challenged by Mamet’s use of language and desired to explore it in writing of his own. Today, McPherson is considered one of the best contemporary Irish playwrights. A recipient of numerous awards and honors, his plays include the Tony Award nominated “The Seafarer” (Best Play, Best Director) “The Weir” (premiered on Broadway in 1999), and “Shining City” (Best Play).

PERFORMANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.Tickets are $25 to $33. For more information, call the MAC Ticket Office at (630) 942-4000, or purchase tickets online at cod.edu/atthemac.

BUFFALO THEATRE ENSEMBLE

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) is rooted in the idea that an acting ensemble and company, who have a history of working together and have developed a sense of trust and community, can create better art.

BTE is committed to the American tradition of creating believable characters in the context of the production's style. Connie Canaday Howard (BTE Artistic Director) is a member of BTE's acting ensemble and has also directed numerous productions for BTE, with some favorites being “Rabbit Hole,” “Noises Off,” “Into The Woods,” “Dancing at Lughnasa” and “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.” She is also Director of Theater at College of DuPage and has directed countless productions for the college department, including “The Heidi Chronicles,” which received the award for best non-professional production in Chicagoland. Connie holds a master’s degree in fine arts in directing, and has worked regionally with Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, City Theatre Company, Belvoir Terrace, Drama Workshop, Down River Dinner Theatre, Ingersoll Theatre, Charlie's Showplace, and tours of both theater and dance, as well as helping to create and perform several improvisational shows. Canaday Howard was COD’s Outstanding Faculty for 2003-2004.

THE MCANINCH ARTS CENTER AT COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage, located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355, houses three performance spaces, an art gallery and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. This unique facility has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and last year welcomed more than 75,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances.

The center offers free parking and group discounts and is home to Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and New Philharmonic.  The result is a collection of touring, resident and student groups that foster enlightened education and performance opportunities to encourage artistic expression, promote a lasting relationship between people and art and enrich the cultural vitality of the community.

The MAC’s extensive community outreach program includes pre-performance lectures, classes with visiting artists and the SchoolStage series, which provides students with interactive, educational arts experiences.  Those and other efforts to increase community access to arts earned the MAC the Illinois Arts Council’s Partners in Excellence designation, which recognizes 40 of the most significant cultural institutions in the state.

The mission of the McAninch Arts Center is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. For more information on the McAninch Arts Center, visit www.AtTheMAC.org.

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