The Brown Paper Box Co.
presents

PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret
an evening of Pride-based stories and songs

Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2014
Mary's Attic in Andersonville

Following our successful run of William Finn's A New Brain, we're thrilled to announce our next cabaret series: PROUD AT MARY'S: A June Cabaret. Ticketing information for this evening of Pride-based stories and songs can be found at www.brownpaperbox.org. Tickets on sale now!

It's Pride month 2014 and The Brown Paper Box Co. is ready to celebrate! PROUD AT MARY'S emphasizes taking pride in our identities and sharing our personal stories during such a monumental month in Illinois—June 1st being the first day every county in the state will recognize same-sex marriages. PROUD AT MARY’S is a mix of pop songs, show tunes, personal monologues, and stories about being gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning, and straight.

"After the successes of our first two cabarets in Wicker Park, we wanted to bring a brand new show to Andersonville," says Brown Paper Box Co. executive director and show coordinator M. William Panek. "Musical Director Justin Harner and I are working with amazingly gracious past Brown Paper Box Co. participants to form a touching and fun evening of personal insight and killer musical numbers."

The set list is comprised of surprise song selections from Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lippa, Carole King, Stephen Schwartz, and more ... as well as original numbers! Tickets for the 7:30 P.M.  performances on 6/13 and 6/14 are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Additional information is posted at www.BrownPaperBox.org.

The cast includes Jeanne T. Arrigo (Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Eastland, Lookingglass Theatre), Johnny Kyle Cook (A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Folk Bound, Duplicity Ensemble), Pamela Mae Davis (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Miss Marx, Strawdog Theatre Company), Megan Ensley (Godspell and 2012's Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co.), Justin Harner* (A New Brain and Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, The Brown Paper Box Co.; The Voodoo Chalk Circle, The State Theatre), David Lipschutz* (The Birds [currently u/s], Hell in a Handbag; The Glorious Ones, Illinois Theatre Center), M. William Panek* (A New Brain, Godspell, To Tree, The Brown Paper Box Co.), Stephanie Rohr* (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls and Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co; La Boheme, OperaUpClose), Anna Schutz* (A New Brain, Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, and Reefer Madness!, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Circle Mirror Transformation, Oil Lamp Theatre), Nick Shoda* ( A New Brain and Godspell, The Brown Paper Box Co.; Pacific Overtures, Porchlight), and Daniel Spagnuolo* (Godspell and A New Brain, The Brown Paper Box Co.; How to Succeed..., Porchlight).

Justin Harner is the evening's pianist and musical director. M. William Panek serves as the evening's host. Original poster design by Charlie Sheets*

*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. company member.

Reefer Madness! The Musical was not only our first full-length musical back in 2010, but it also formed the creation of our 4/20 remounts at Studio BE and Stage 773 the following 2 years.

These amazing cast members have become trusted collaborators, life-long friends, and even company members.

Happy anniversary, all!

A NEW BRAIN's  M. William Panek (director - looking quite drowsy at 2:30am) and Jillian Weingart (Rhoda) were guests on WGN Radio's Nick Degilio Show.

They chat about the humble beginning of The Brown Paper Box Co., the current run's final weekend, and pizza. A lot of pizza.

And thanks to the late-night listeners who checked out our blog and texted in questions! We blame you for all the pizza talk :)

Give it a listen!

Full name? Matthew William Panek

Where you were born/where you were raised? Northwest side of Chicago.

Your position within the A NEW BRAIN family? Proud director.

What does that mean/what do you do? Craft the show's approach and make sure everyone attached to the production has a clear view of where we're headed. As a musical theatre operetta, A NEW BRAIN has been exciting with its heavy dose of creative collaboration. I've been extremely reliant on our handful of designers and production staff in crafting the shape (Jaime, Cat, Michelle, Charlie), flow (Stephanie, Danny, Luke, Monty, Patrick), and sound (T.J., Justin) of the show. So in a nutshell, I'm a super lucky guy organizing 20 Chicago artists to tell Bill's story.

In 5 words, how do you describe A NEW BRAIN? Beautiful, Life-Affirming, So much spring

How would you describe Bill's writing? Writing this in the midst of vocal rehearsals, the first thing I've noticed about Bill's writing is how insanely difficult it is to master. Our amazing cast of 10 is tackling 7-part harmonies in many of the songs (thanks to vocal arrangers Jason Robert Brown and Ted Sperling), so it really speaks to his storytelling skills and keen ear for . A NEW BRAIN has a mix of conversational book songs, spot-lit musical theatre numbers, and full-fledged

Fill in the blanks: ____Dedication____ + ___#werk_____ = a song.

What was your must-see TV show as a kid? X-Men, the animated series. Saturday morning cartoon slot. 10am. FOX Chicago. My brother and I. Every weekend.

Who would play you in the Lifetime movie of your life? Not in terms of looks (I'd kill for those eyebrows), but Brian D'Arcy James. And if Lifetime could make it a musical so "I" could get a sweet new song maybe written by Bobby Lopez or Jeanine Tesori, that would be great. 'K thanks, Lifetime.

Special hidden talent? I'm great at parallel parking. Mad great.

Something you're REALLY bad at? Drawing. Anything. Please, don't make me.

Favorite Chicago neighborhood? Favorite as a whole in terms of nightlife, food, and fun stuff to do? I'd have to say Boystown/Lakeview ... bu don't want to live there.

Current local show you have been recommending to friends?

Most played song on your iPod? Not counting A New Brain or Godspell songs, iTunes says it's "27 Jennifers" by Mike Doughty.

Pop culture guilty pleasure? Listing anything other than RuPaul's Drag Race first would be a complete and utter lie. And I'll be goddamn'd if I don't watch each and every one of The Skivvies' videos at least, um, 12 times. Wish they'd visit Chicago some time :)

Three things you can't live without? Hoodies. My folks. A car wi radio.

We begin rehearsals for A NEW BRAIN this weekend! Three days, to be exact,

Not only have we assembled a top-notch cast and production staff, but I can honestly say I haven't been this excited to begin a project in a long time.

I'm pretty sure I can pinpoint the fist time I ever listened to Finn's A NEW BRAIN. I was a freshman at Loyola Academy when my good friend David Nash was appearing as 'Jason' in Porchlight Theatre's FALSETTOS. As I dove into such a funny, original, and sad score in FALSETTOS (a precursor to my RENT days), I stumbled across Finn's new recording of his new show playing at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Playhouse.

As a 14-year-old theatre dork, A NEW BRAIN's score was beyond addictive. The recording's cast - including Malcolm Gets, Norm Lewis, Mary Testa, and some young chorus girl named Kristin Chenoweth - was (and remains) pure perfection. I was hooked. And I've remained hooked.

I was lucky enough to come across A NEW BRAIN during a formative year while learning what a well-written musical sounded like. So now, 14 years later (yikes!), I'm thrilled to bring Finn's semi-autobiographical  exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art to Chicago with The Brown Paper Box Co. Quite simply, it embodies what it means to balance love and work with life and death.

M. William Panek
Director

A New Brain
Music by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Director: M. William Panek
Musical Director: T.J. Anderson
Choreographer: Daniel Spagnuolo

Synopsis
Gordon Schwinn is a frustrated composer for a despotic children’s television show host. When he is diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain, he is confronted with the very real possibility that his musical legacy will be cut short. William Finn’s semi-autobiographical musical is energetic, sardonic, and poignant in its exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art.

Characters
Gordon Schwinn—Tenor G2–G4
Mr. Bungee—Baritone B2–G4
Mimi Schwinn (Mother)—Mezzo/Alto F#3–C#5
Rhoda (Agent)—Soprano A3–E5
Roger Delli-Bovi—Baritone A2–G4
Richard (Nurse)—Baritone G2–G4
Lisa (Homeless Lady)—Mezzo Belt F3–Eb5
Dr. Jafar Berensteiner—Baritone G2–E4
The Minister—Tenor C3–A4

The role of Waitress/Nancy D has been cast.

Audition Dates and Locations
Audition slots will be provided.
Saturday, November 30 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM), Sulzer Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave.)
Sunday, December 1 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM), Theatre Momentum (1800 W. Cornelia Ave.)

In order to accommodate as many as many people as possible and to use your time effectively, please be aware that you will be seen within 30 minutes of your audition time.   

Preparation
Please prepare 32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre selection in the style of the show and bring your book in case we want to hear something more. An accompanist will be provided. 

Time Commitment
Rehearsals at Li'l Buds Theatre (1206 W Rosedale Ave.)
Jan 5th-Feb 20th
Sundays-Thursday evenings

Performances at Rivendell Theatre (5779 N. Ridge Ave.)
Feb 21st-Mar 9th
Thursdays-Saturday evenings & Sunday afternoons

Pay
We are offering a stipend of $150.

To Book Your Audition Slot
Please send your headshot, resume, and availability for both audition dates to newbrain@brownpaperbox.org.

The Brown Paper Box Co. is excited to announce their upcoming production, A NEW BRAIN, with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Finn and James Lapine. The show will run Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM from February 21-March 9 at the Rivendell Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood (5779 N. Ridge Ave.). Audition information and more will be posted at www.brownpaperbox.org.

Gordon Schwinn is a frustrated composer for a despotic children's television show host. When he is diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation in his brain, he is confronted with the very real possibility that his musical legacy will be cut short. William Finn's semi-autobiographical musical is energetic, sardonic, and poignant in its exploration of anxiety, self-doubt, and the healing power of art.

"Finn and Lapine's A New Brain is a fantastic fit for The Brown Paper Box Co.," explains director M. William Panek (Aloha, Say the Pretty Girls, Godspell). "It's a perfect ten-person ensemble piece that asks us to evaluate our lives-if we were gone tomorrow, what do we leave behind? As artists? As lovers? As children? We've assembled a stellar team of collaborators who are going to truly highlight A New Brain's big heart and infectious score."

Finn and Lapine's previous collaborations include the Tony Award-winning hits Falsettos and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. William Finn is also the composer of In Trousers, Romance in Hard Times, and Little Miss Sunshine. Pulitzer Prize­-winner James Lapine is the book writer/director of the musicals Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Passion, among others.

The production team includes M. William Panek* (director), T.J. Anderson (musical director), Jaime Giovannone (set/properties designer), Cat Wilson (lighting designer), Stephanie Rohr* (assistant director), Justin Harner (assistant musical director), Danny Spagnuolo* (choreographer), Patrick J. Butterfield* (house manager), Michelle Kritselis* (dramaturg), Charlie Sheets* (graphic designer), and Luke Michael Grimes (casting associate).

Auditions will be held in December 2013 and the cast will be announced thereafter.

*Denotes Brown Paper Box Co. company member.

This casting is so wrong. (And yet...so right.)

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A MISCAST CABARET will feature appearances from BPBCo. artistic associates and past cast members performing as characters they'd never play due to age, gender, voice type, race, you name it. Yes, this event is all kinds of mixed-up wrongness, and it's happening tomorrow night, Saturday, March 23, only.

As seating has been filling up, we urge you to reserve your tickets ahead of time on Davenport's website!

Now, bring on the cat:

So there I was, taking notes while Brown Paper Box Co. co-founder and artistic associate Michelle Kritselis worked on her CHARACTER BREAKDOWN number with musical director T.J. Anderson on the piano. Then bam, artistic associate Nick Shoda's cat, Oberon, hopped on my lap and plopped down on my notebook.

Meow.

I'm not sure what kind of acting notes Obie had for Michelle, but this much is clear: people and pets, friends and felines, strangers and strays alike will enjoy the miscast crooning we're serving up at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret tomorrow night, March 23. Hope you can make it!

The Brown Paper Box Co. presents CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret this Saturday, March 23 at 8pm. This one-night cabaret will feature appearances from The Brown Paper Box Co. artistic associates and former cast members performing as characters they would never play due to age, gender, voice type, race, etc.

Get to know Executive Director and Character Breakdown coordinator M. WILLIAM PANEK (BPBCo.'s To Tree, Godspell, Reefer Madness!).

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Q) What's the first word that comes to mind when you hear 'miscast?'
A) Russell. Second word? Crowe. Sorry, mate.

Q) Have you ever been miscast?
A) Well, I wasn't the most limber Scarecrow there ever was...

Q) Without giving too much away, what can our audience expect with your number?
A) What's better than performing as 1 worldly woman? Performing as 4 worldly women.

Q) Upon first glace when you walk into an audition, what is your character 'type?'
A) Back in high school it was always the father. Taller dudes always got/get that wrap in high school. Nowadays - if I were to start auditioning for roles again - it would probably be a mix of the chubby best friend or the non-clubby gay guy.

Q) But what people don't know about you is .......
A) I'm super skinny and very straight. Surprise!

Q) Last good movie you saw?
A) Saw Les Miserables two times in three days. Couldn't help it. Also loved Zero Dark Thirty.

Q) Current show running in town you're recommending to friends?
A) Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind is a perennial favorite. Plus, The Book of Mormon is funny as hell with Nic Rouleau and Ben Platt.

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Come see William in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret.  Please visit www.davenportspianobar.com for reservations and additional information. Tickets are $15 + a two-drink minimum.

The Brown Paper Box Co. presents CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: A Miscast Cabaret this Saturday, March 23 at 8pm. This one-night cabaret will feature appearances from The Brown Paper Box Co. artistic associates and former cast members performing as characters they would never play due to age, gender, voice type, race, etc.

We're keeping the playlist secret, but you can expect song selections from all the musicals pictured below!

As seating has been filling up, we urge you to reserve your tickets ahead of time on Davenport's website! Hope to see you there!!!