Wonder Years-Style Family Comedy Leaving Iowa
American Theater Company (1909 W. Byron Chicago, IL 60613)
- Full Price:
- $25.00 - $30.00
- Our Price:
- FREE - $15.00*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Leaving Iowa have expired.
The last date listed for Leaving Iowa was Sunday July 31, 2005 / 3:00pm.
Currently at American Theater Company:
Disgraced: World-Premiere Play From Ayad Akhtar (The War Within)
- Full Price:
- $35.00
- Our Price:
- $17.50
American Theater Company presents the world-premiere of Disgraced, a drama penned by actor-playwright Ayad Akhtar (who co-wrote and starred in the award-winning 2005 film The War Within). This play, directed by Kimberly Senior and featuring ATC Ensemble member Usman Ally, centers around a Pakistani-American lawyer who's struggling to climb the slippery corporate ladder -- and to define his identity -- in the face of personal and professional betrayal. ATC teamed with the Broadway producers of Urinetown and last season's A View From the Bridge to present this penetrating examination of a modern Muslim-American experience. Learn More
Goldstar Member Reviews
WCC1954
Fabulously funny. Reminded me of trips taken as a child with my family. and I'm embarrassed to say take, as a parent with my own kids. Don't miss it!Written on Jun 20 2005
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More Information About Leaving Iowa
Quotes & Highlights
- Highly Recommended --Chicago Sun-Times
- "A must see comedy!" --WGN
- "A sold-out hit!" --Playbill
Description
"If you've ever been on one of those long road trips with your family, touring the majestic but not exactly action-packed heartland of America in a station wagon, you've already reached midpoint on the way toward an appreciation of Leaving Iowa, the hilarious and heart-tugging family comedy by Chicago playwrights Tim Clue and Spike Manton." --Playbill
Strong reviews and great word of month have Leaving Iowa moving into American Theater Company (ATC) for an eight week summer run starting June 10th. Producer Spike Manton says, "We are excited to have our comedy about family road trips run during the summer, the season of family road trips."
After Leaving Iowa's recent successful run at Theater Building Chicago, the writing, directing and producing team of Tim Clue and Spike Manton is taking their show to the next level in Chicago, and is also preparing for some Midwest tours already scheduled.
Nominated by the Detroit Free Press for Best New Play in 2004 for the American Theatre Critics Association, Clue and Manton hope to continue their record of pleasing both traditional and nontraditional theater-goers of all ages with their wonder years-esque comedy.
The story follows a journalist home to Winterset, Iowa, and then to every rest area, historical mile marker, and tourist trap between a grocery store parking lot in Mount Union and a hog farm in the alleged center of the United States.
Clue says, "The spark behind the play comes from having parents that were members of the 'Greatest generation.' Leaving Iowa is an homage to their idealism and character."
Manton adds, "I was kid number three and I lived in the 'way back' of the station wagon until I was 13. This play is a comic tribute to the American obsession with the annual family road trip."
"A simply beautiful comedy," said Jeff Daniels when the show premiered to critical praise and record sales in its debut at his Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea, MI.
In addition to being written by Chicagoans, Leaving Iowa also features an original score by Bruce Roper from Chicago folk icons, Sons of the Never Wrong. Roper says, "It was a unique experience, but traveling music is part of every folk singer's repertoire. When it's over, the audience will feel like they went on a trip and I hope the score has a lot to do with that."
Leaving Iowa is Directed by Clue and Produced by Manton. Clue says "Keeping the show close to the vest as director, producer and writers gives us the best chance for the show to find a national footing."
This Chicago cast of Leaving Iowa includes: Chris Blumer, Chris Garrett, Howie Johnson, Brian Simmons and Karen Vaccaro.