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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire

"The Credeaux Canvas"
By Keith Bunin
September 22 - October 31, 2004

Audrey Francis and Jason Powers
Photo by Greg Kolack

"The Credeaux Canvas"
By Keith Bunin
review by Ed Vincent

Bob Knuth has done his usual magic with the creation of an artistic
and pleasing set, one that I find reminiscent of any number of
"La Boheme" Opera stagings. The lighting is used well for
both transitions from scene to scene, but also in highlighting the
emotionally charged work by Keith Bunin. The writing is both
topical and interesting, having dialogue that may remind many
of either their own past loves, or portions of them, or at least
someone that we all know. The fine writing is represented by an equally strong cast. The star of the show is Ms. Audrey Francis,
the spectrum of emotions that she brings to the character of
Amelia is wonderful and the maze of emotive twists is portrayed
with strength and direction. The young artist, Jason Powers,
playing the role of Winston, is an art crazed pundit of both
artistic verbiage (classical and representational art forms) and the
artful dodger of emotional commitment. Jason Powers'
performance of these hyper active metaphor for the young
starving artist locked into his own world of artistic solitude,
is right on the mark. Lester Keefe, as Jamie, is perhaps the more
enigmatic character on stage and may give all someone to talk
about later-his work is good.

Mary O'Dowd does a wonderful job of portraying "Tess", with
all of her grace and powerful looks of disdain. Greg Kolack
brings another hit to Circle Theatre and I would put odds on
this performance getting several Jefferson nominations.

This roller coaster ride mixed with a special blender of angst
will keep you in your chairs and wishing the best for all
concerned. Get your tickets now and look forward to being
entertained.

There is full nudity in a couple of the scenes, similar to a figure
study in class in art.

CIRCLE THEATRE PRESENTS
TILE FIRST MAJOR CHICAGO PRODUCTION OF
The Credeaux Canvas
    By Keith Bunin

THE BOOK
This is the first major Chicago production of The Credeaux Canvas,
which was named one of the best plays of 2001 by The New York Magazine..

PLAYWRIGHT
Keith Bunin is the author of the plays The World Over, The Principality
of Sorrows, The King of Clocks, and A Joke. He has also written for film and television; his writing has been published in American Film Magazine and on the web at McSweeney's. He is a graduate of Goddard College and Columbia University and currently lives in Brooklyn.

SYNOPSIS
Can art capture the mysteries of the human soul’? Keith Bunin explores this age-old question with a bittersweet story about three young friends struggling to make ends meet in the East Village. Jamie convinces his roommate Winston, who has a remarkable talent for copying great artists, to forge a work in the style of a little-known French master, Credeaux. If Winston, using Jamies girlfriend Amelia as the model, can create a Credeaux nude, the group’s days of washing dishes in the bathtub will end. As their plan unfolds, more than the mysteries of the body are revealed. Ben Brantley, writing for The New York Times, said, “Mr. Bunin brings us to this scene with a deft, remarkably assured control of complicated elements of plot, character and theme.”

DIRECTOR
Greg Kolack has been involved with Circle Theatre since 1994; he
became Co-Artistic Director in 199B. He has directed several productions, including The Cthne of the Century, A Mccc ofMyHear4 Salome, and
The Moon’s the Madonna; and appeared in several more, Who Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and American Buffalo among others. His work at Circle has earned him two JEFF Citations, an additional two JEFF nominations, and three After Dark Awards. Greg has also worked as a director, actor, and multimedia designer at Pegasus, Red Hen, Apple Tree, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Marriott Lincolnshire, Bailiwick, Raven, and Chicago Theatre Co.

CAST Audrey Francis * Lester Keefe Mary O’Dowd* Jason Powers

ARTISTIC
Greg Kolack, Director *
Joseph Beaten, Stage Manager *
Bob Knuth, Scenic and Graphic Designer *
STAFF James Raby
Costume Designer * Peter Storms
Sound Designer * Kurt Ottiuger,
Lighting Designer * Donna Oswald, Production Coordinator

THEATRE
Currently in its 20th season, Circle Theatre is an artist-based company, which has received 30 Joseph Jefferson Citations. Circle has produced multiple world premieres, including Rebecca Gilman’s The Glory of
Living and The Crime of the Century, and the Midwest premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s The Wild Party.

LOCATION
Circle Theatre, 7300 West Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130

OPENS Wednesday, September 22nd @ 8p.m.

RUNS
September 23rd through October 31st: Fridays and Saturdays at 8p.m.
and Sundays at 3 p.m. Special Thursday performances at 8p.m. on October 14th, 21st and 28th only.

TICKETS
Previews: $12; Regular Run: $22, $2 discount for seniors and students; Group rates are available. Industry Night — Tuesday, September 21st:
$5 with headshot & resume.

INFORMATION: www.circle-theatre.org
RESERVATIONS: 708-771-0700

Circle Theatre
presents

The Credeaux Canvas
By Keith Bunin

The Credeaux Canvas was commissioned by Playwrights Horizons
through The Heathcote Art Foundation.

Produced by special arrangement with
Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
September 22 - October 31, 2004
The Skinner Theatre

Directed by Greg Kolack*
Set and Graphics Designed by Bob Knuth*
Costumes Designed by James Raby
Sound Designed by Peter Storms*
Lights Designed by Kurt Ottinger
Stage Managed by Joseph M. Heaton*
Production Coordinated by Donna Oswald*

Circle Theatre is partially funded by the Oak Park Area Arts Council,
in partnership with the Village of Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest
and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

CAST

Amelia        Audrey Francis
Jamie          Lester Keefe
Tess            Mary O’Dowd
Winston      Jason Powers

Staff

Director    Greg Kolack*
Scenic and Graphic Design/Technical Director    Bob Knuth*
Stage Manager    Joseph M. Heaton*
Costume Design    James Raby
Lighting Design    Kurt Ottinger
Sound Design    Peter Storms*
Production Coordinator    Donna Oswald*
Fight Choreographer    Jen Albert

Set Construction Crew: Kevin Bellie*, Kelly Schumann*, Jarrett Dapier*, Catherine Ferraro*, Jeff Cass*, Peter Storms*, Jim Wall*, Jeanne Wall*,
Lori Willis, Greg Kolack*, Lisa Spierer*, Cara White*. Donna Oswald*,
Grant OBrien*. Gannon 0 Brien*, Deirdre Almaguer*, Casey Farrell*,
Amanda Roeder*, Andria Kozica*

*denotes Circle Theatre Company Member

Special thanks to Katie Johnston, Erika Goodman,
Keith Bunin, Lee Peters, and Village Players.

Time: the present
Place: NYC