Displaying items by tag: Henry Johnson

Victory Gardens Theater, in association with Relentless Theatre Group, will present the Midwest premiere of a new work by Pulitzer Prize-winner, filmmaker and former Chicago-based playwright David Mamet, "Henry Johnson." Presented in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Victory Gardens, the production will be directed by Joseph Jefferson Award-winner Edward Torres (Co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus at Teatro Vista) and will star acclaimed actors Thomas Gibson (TV's "Criminal Minds"), Keith Kupferer ("Ghostlight") Al'Jaleel McGhee and Daniil Krimer. Dennis Zacek, the Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus at Victory Gardens Theater, who led the company to receive a 2001 Tony Award for excellence in regional theater, will serve as Executive Producer.

The press performance will be Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m.

"Henry Johnson," which is being produced for the first time since its world premiere in Los Angeles in 2023, delves into the themes of manipulation and ethical ambiguity. The story follows Henry Johnson, a middle-aged man, as he navigates a series of encounters, both in the corporate world and in prison. As the play progresses, audiences are prompted to wonder: "What is the price of compassion?" 

The production features a lighting design by Jared Gooding, costumes by Stephanie Cluggish, set design by CODESIGN STUDIOS, props by Jeff Brain and fight choreography by David Woolley.

Tickets, which range in price from $64-69, will go on sale today, March 7 at 10 a.m. at victorygardens.stagey.net/projects/12019. The performance schedule is Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be no performances April 18 – 20.

David Mamet (Playwright)

Chicago-born David Mamet is the author of numerous critically acclaimed, award-winning plays including "American Buffalo," "Speed the Plow," and "Glengarry Glen Ross," for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1984.

His films include "The Postman Always Rings Twice," "Wag the Dog," "The Verdict," " Hoffa," "Ronin," "The Untouchables," "House of Games" (writer/director), "Oleanna" (writer/director), (writer/director), "Homicide" (writer/director), "The Spanish Prisoner" (writer/director), "State and Main" (writer/director), "Heist" (writer/director), "Spartan" (writer/director) and "Redbelt" (writer/director). His most recent books are "True and False," "Three Uses of the Knife," "The Wicked Son," "Bambi vs. Godzilla," "The Secret Knowledge," "Chicago" "The Diary of a Porn Star," "Recessional: On the Death of Free Speech and the Cost of a Free Lunch,"  and the upcoming "The Disenlightenment: Politics, Horror, and Entertainment." He directed the world premieres of his most recent plays, "Bitter Wheat," starring John Malkovich, on the West End in 2019, and The Christopher Boy's "Communion" at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles in February 2020. He recently wrote and directed the film "Henry Johnson," available soon at HenryJohnsonMovie.com.

Edward Torres (Director)

Edward Torres is a director and performer whose work has been seen on stages across the country. As an actor, he most recently appeared in Bruce Norris's "Downstate" at Playwrights Horizons, following acclaimed productions at the National Theatre in London and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.  He also received a Lucille Lortel nomination for Featured Outstanding Performance 2023 for his role in Downstate

As a director, Edward has led productions at The Old Globe, including "El Borracho," "Familiar," "Native Gardens" and "Water by the Spoonful." He was named one of The Old Globe's Classical Directing Fellows in 2021 and directed the podcast adaptation of "Macbeth" for NEXT Chapter Podcasts and Play On Shakespeare. He helmed the world premiere of Kristoffer Diaz's "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" at Victory Gardens Theater and Teatro Vista, a production that was named Best Play of 2009 by the Chicago Tribune and won five Joseph Jefferson Awards, including Best Production and Best Director.

Torres has also directed at several other prominent theaters, including Geffen Playhouse, Second Stage Theatre, Goodman Theatre, The Public Theater and Repertorio Español. His work has earned him accolades such as the Latin ACE Award for Best Musical and the Artistas de Teatro Independiente Award for Best Director. He is an associate Professor at University of Illinois -Chicago and serves as Artistic Director Emeritus at Teatro Vista

Thomas Gibson  (Gene)

Thomas Gibson hails from Charleston, South Carolina. At a young age, Thomas became interested in theater, and later moved to NY to become a member of Group 14 at Juilliard's Drama Division.

He has worked extensively on stage in NY, including Shakespeare in the Park, Molière and Noel Coward on Broadway, as well as last year's premiere of Ibsen's "Ghost" by Charles Busch at Primary Stages. Thomas has also created roles in premieres by Romulus Linney, Anna Cascio, David Hare, and Howard Brenton, among others.

Thomas' work in films and television includes the beloved "Tales of the City" series, as well as Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," Whit Stillman's "Barcelona," Scorcese's "Age of Innocence," as well as "Love and Human Remains" and "Stardom," both with Denys Arcand. He starred with Jenna Elfman in "Dharma and Greg," for which he was twice nominated for a Golden Globe. He is also known for playing Aaron Hotchner on the series "Criminal Minds." Thomas is an accomplished director both in the theater and on television, and recently produced and starred in "The Writer's Bible," a short film which he co-wrote with his son, JP, and which JP directed and produced.

Keith Kupferer (Jerry)

Keith Kupferer delivered a widely praised, powerhouse performance in "Ghostlight," directed by Alex Thompson and Kelly O'Sullivan, which premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance in 2024 and was later released nationwide by IFC Films. His work in the film earned him multiple prestigious end-of-year nominations, including recognition from the Gothams and Independent Spirit Awards. He was awarded Best Actor in a Comedy by the Satellite Awards and named the "2025 Chicagoan of the Year in Film" by the Chicago Tribune.

A veteran of Chicago's theater scene, Kupferer has performed at many of the city's most esteemed institutions, including Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Northlight Theatre, A Red Orchid and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. A founding member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble—now celebrating its 30th anniversary—he has starred in critically acclaimed productions such as "A Mile in the Dark," "The Cake," "American Wee-Pie" and "Cal in Camo" (for which he won a Jeff Award for Supporting Actor). His other notable credits include "Support Group for Men," "God of Carnage" and "Sweat" (Goodman); "The Seagull," "The Great Leap," "The Qualms," "Good People" and "Middletown" (Steppenwolf); "Hillary and Clinton," "Never the Sinner" and "Appropriate" (Victory Gardens); "West Side Story" (Lyric Opera) and the world premiere of "The Humans" (American Theater Company).  He has also appeared in numerous films and television shows.

Al'Jaleel McGhee (Mr. Barnes)

Al'Jaleel McGhee is a dynamic actor whose work spans stage and screen. He recently toured nationally with the Broadway production of "A Soldier's Play" and has performed extensively in Chicago's top theaters. His credits include "Noises Off" at Steppenwolf, "Intimate Apparel" and "Fireflies" at Northlight Theatre, "Hamlet" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, "Graveyard Shift" at the Goodman Theatre's New Stages Festival, "Paradise Blue" at TimeLine Theatre, and "Blues for an Alabama Sky" at Court Theatre.

Beyond Chicago, Al'Jaleel has appeared in regional productions such as "Noises Off" at the Geffen Playhouse and "Toni Stone" at the Huntington Theatre. On screen, he can currently be seen in "Lady in the Lake" and "Shining Girls" (Apple TV+), "61st Street" (AMC), and "POWER Book IV: FORCE" (Starz).

Al'Jaleel holds an MFA from Northwestern University and studied at the University of Illinois Chicago and North Carolina Central University. He is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Daniil Krimer (Henry Johnson)

Daniil Krimer is an actor and theatermaker whose work spans stage and screen. In New York, he appeared in "Really Really" with Normal Ave Productions. His regional credits include "Sherlock Holmes" at West Virginia Public Theatre, while in Chicago he has performed in "Romeo and Juliet" and "Twelfth Night" at Kane Repertory Theatre.

On television, Daniil has been seen in "FBI" and "Chicago P.D." He holds an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University and is the co-founder and former Artistic Director of Kane Repertory Theatre. He is grateful to David Mamet for the opportunity to bring his work to his hometown and to his family for their unwavering support.

About Dennis Zacek

Dennis Zacek is Artistic Director Emeritus of Victory Gardens Theater where he held the position of Artistic Director for 34 years. He, his wife Marcelle McVay, and Sandy
Shinner accepted Victory Gardens' 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

He also accepted the Actors Equity Association (AEA) Spirit Recognition Award on
behalf of Victory Gardens. The Spirit Award is given to institutions that "have made
nontraditional casting a way of life." Among other awards are a Jeff Award for
Outstanding Achievement in Chicago Equity Theatre, an Artistic Leadership Award from the League of Chicago Theatres, the Rosetta Lenoire Award from AEA and the Sidney R. Yates Arts Advocacy Award from the Illinois Arts Alliance (now Arts Alliance Illinois). Zacek is Professor Emeritus at Loyola University and was included on Utne Reader's list of "Artists Who Will Shake the World." Currently he works at The Studios of Key West as a teacher during the winter. He has directed more than 250 productions in his career.

About Relentless Theatre

Relentless Theatre Group believes great theater challenges the mind. Our mission is to offer a theatrical home for public discourse, freedom of expression, and brilliant creation.

About Victory Gardens Theater

The Victory Gardens Theater, established in 1974, stands as a beacon of innovation and artistry in the theater community. With a record of producing more world and Chicago premieres, collaborating with more living playwrights, and exporting new plays for production elsewhere than any other theater in the region, we are proud to lead the way in the evolution of contemporary theater. Our mission is to cultivate and present powerful, new works that capture the diverse narratives of our world, enriching the American theater landscape. Through our productions, we ignite important conversations that drive meaningful civic change and foster an inclusive theater experience that invites everyone to partake.

Our achievements over the past 50 years were recognized in 2001 when we received the prestigious Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre at New York's Radio City Music Hall. This esteemed award honors our unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and our significant contribution to the growth of theater on a national scale. As we celebrate our past, we look forward with determination to the next 50 years, remaining steadfast in our values of integrity, diversity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we will continue to inspire and transform the theater experience for audiences everywhere. Please visit victorygardens.org/mission-history to learn more about our history or victorygardens.org/donate/ to donate to our cause.

Jazz legend Ramsey Lewis can take the melody of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and turn it into a work of art. After watching and listening to him, I am sure of this. Eighty-years-old, he has the musical energy of a much younger man. He also brought to MacIninch Art Center a very talented group of musicians. 

First up was Henry Johnson on guitar. The first thing I thought of was Wes Montgomery. For those of you not familiar with Montgomery’s style, Wes mostly played with just his thumb on his right hand. Henry switched between that and a pick which he must have held in his palm while using his thumb. Johnson’s other influences include Kenny Burrell and George Benson. As a fledgling jazz guitar player myself, I found him to be a tasty player and learned a lot watching him play.

Joshua Ramos was on bass. He switched between upright bass and a five string electric through the set. Ramos got some serious applause from his solos. He played with the fluency most lead guitar players might envy. Having said that, he stayed in the pocket when he needed to do so.

On drums was Charles Heath. Heath is an amazing jazz drummer, switching from sticks to brushes depending on the song.  I found out he started playing drums at an early age and I am not surprised. He started working as a musician at the age of fourteen and earned a degree in music at Shaw University. His list of playing credits is quite long.

Then, of course you have Mr. Lewis, “the great performer”. Ramsey certainly lives up to the title. Though understandably a bit slow walking across the stage, it did not reflect his musical energy. He took Pop melodies to new heights. The Beatles’ “Here There and Everywhere” was my personal favorite. Another Beatles song he did amazing things to was “Hard Day’s Night”. Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” was very nice as well. I didn’t hear too many songs that one would consider jazz standards, except possibly his own compositions. Lewis did have a few hits in his heyday, most jazz musicians cannot claim that. The ability to take a familiar melody and turn it into something greater is truly an art. I overheard someone say how he never played one of the songs the same way twice. The jazz musical mind just seems to work like that. Lewis did not give you a heavily rehearsed, boring performance. It showed the listener how music can be spontaneous and structured at the same time.

The art of jazz is not as popular as it once was in America. You could tell this from the crowd. The average age was at least sixty, if I had to estimate. Personally, I find it so refreshing to see great musicians actually perform without the use of gimmicks. The raw energy of the performance was the key on this particular Saturday night. 

If you have any interest in seeing real music played the way it was supposed to be played, go see it now before all the classic players are all gone. At eighty-years-old, Ramsey won’t be around forever. The music will live forever, but the performers will not. I don’t want to sound like a cynic, but I think a lot of this is lost in music today. Go support music being played by real musicians like The Ramsey Lewis Quartet. Good music elevates you mind, body and soul to new heights. 

In the end, I found the performance inspirational and highly rewarding. The reward was an emotional sense of elevation. Music is the ultimate escape. For one hour and forty-five minutes I had no problems in my life. Even after coming back to reality, I felt better. I wish to thank “the great performer” for this. Ramsey Lewis is simply amazing and it was great to see and of course hear him.

Ramsey Lewis Quartet

March 12, 2016-7:30 PM

MacIninch Art Center

College Of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL