Read this Chicago SunTimes story about this fine theater group. I currently serve on its Board of Directors and couldn't be more proud of what they have accomplished in a very short amount of time. The SunTimes agrees! The Filament Theatre Ensemble is excited to present The Snow Queen as the first show of our 2014 winter season, opening Friday, January 17 at 7:30pm. This original production of Tyler Monroe’s new adaptation of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, first produced by American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is directed by A.R.T. Resident Director Allegra Libonati and features Filament’s 2014 Acting Company members Christian Libonati, Lindsey Dorcus, Mara Dale, Andrew Marchetti, and Molly Bunder with guest artists Ryan Westwood and Grace DeSant. The Snow Queen tells the story of young Gerda and her best friend Kai. When Kai is lured to the wicked Snow Queen’s palace, Gerda embarks on an unexpected quest to the ends of the world to save him. This story of courage and friendship across the wintery wonders of the North Pole and beyond will warm your heart with music, puppetry, and lots of theatrical magic. The Snow Queen is appropriate for all ages. Come celebrate the winter season (while also getting out of the cold!) with Filament and The Snow Queen! For information go to http://www.FilamentTheatre.org

1. Corner House
Filament Theatre launches full-out stage
season with 'The Snow Queen'
Y
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By MARY
HOULIHAN
For SUN-TIMES
MEDIA
nv
n August 2013,Filament Theatre took a big
"Andersen has created an incredibly rich
step into its future by signing a lease on its and evocative world filled with original
first permanent home in the Portage Park and interesting characters that lends itself
neighborhood near the Six Corners intersec- to a great theatrical rendering," Allegra
tion (Milwaukee, Irving Park and Cicero). Since Libonati says. "It's a playful, rustic and dethen, the company has slowly and precisely lightful story that speaks to all ages."
worked on getting the raw, new space ready
"The Snow Queen" is the tale of young
as well as setting up the usual organizational Gerda and her best friend Kai. When Kai is
infrastructure of an ensemble of artists ready lured to the wicked Snow Queen's palace,
Gerda embarks on an unexpected quest
to move to the next level.
While Filament has hosted an array of events to the ends of the world to save him. It's a
story of courage and friendin the space, including music
ship across the wintery won"house" concerts and short runs
'THE SNOW
of its original ensemble piece
ders of the North Pole and
QUEEN;Jan.
beyond.
"Crossing Six Corners," an ongo17-Feb.9,Filament
Theatre. 4041 N.
"We're interested in telling
ing series looking at the hisMilwaukee. $20.
tory of its new neighborhood, it
stories that connect with a
(773) 270-1660;
is now ready to open its doors for
diverse audience," artistic
filarnenttheatre.org
a season of plays beginning with
director Julie Ritchey says.
"Ourgoal is to create a visceral live ett, Christian Libonati, Molly Bunder, Mara
an adaptation of Hans Christian
Dale and Andrew Marchetti. The goal of the
Andersen's "The Snow Queen."
aesthetic that draws people in."
For this production, Filament has kept it
"The Snow Queen" was first produced on a ensemble is to bring together a committed
al in the family. Ensemble member Christian proscenium stage. The Filament version will be group of multitalented artists to tell stories,
l
Libonati was familiar with a staging of "The up close and a lot more personal, says director create original work and perform together as
an ensemble throughout an entire year which
Snow Queen" directed by his sister Allegra, Libonati.
'We are reimagining some of:the characters serves to strengthen Filament's emphasis on
resident director at the American Repertory
Theatre in Cambridge, Mass., and suggested it to create more subtlety and depth," Libonati community-buildingand collaboration.
for the season opener. The new adaptation (not explains. "The ensemble is creative and advenLater this year, Filament will stage Scottish
to be confused with Michael Smith's version turous and it's a pleasure to unpack this story playwright David Greig's "The Monster in the
that has played at Victory Gardens) was cre- and re-examine it with them."
Hall"as well as two new segments of "Crossing
ated by Libonati and playwright Tyler Monroe.
"The Snow QueenJ'also will mark the debut Six Corners."
Filament, which can seat up to 180 (65
Additional puppets and masks for the Filament of Filament's 2014 acting ensemble, which
staging are by artist Jeff Semmerling.
includes actors Lindsey Dorcus, Nathan Drack- seats is the limit for "The Snow Queen"), is
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part of the growing arts community in Portage
Park. Semmerling's mask-making studio is located in a space just above the theater. Across
the hall is the Wtional Veterans Art Museum
(formerly the National Vietnam Veterans Art
Museum). Just down the street is the recently
shuttered portage Theatre, which many in the
neighborhood hope will eventually reopen.
"It's been an incredible experience moving
into a neighborhood that's embraced us in so
many ways," Ritchey says. "It's fueled our fire
to do work that connects with the community
and to help it grow through vibrant arts programming."
CLASSIC ROCK
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2. SUN-TIMES AGENDA S
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For SUN-TIMES
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"Crossing Six Corners," an ongobeyond.
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filarnentthmtm.org
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For this production, Filament has kept it
"The Snow Queen" was first produced on a ensemble is to bring together a committed
all in the family. Ensemble member Christian proscenium stage. The Filament version will be group of multitalented artists to tell stories,
Libonati was familiar with a staging of "The up close and alot more personal, says director create original work and perform together as
an ensemble throughout an entire year which
Snow Queen" directed by his sister Allegra, Zibonati.
'We are reimagining some ofthe characters serves to strengthen Filament's emphasis on
resident director at the American Repertory
Theatre in Cambridge, Mass, and suggested it to create more subtlety and depth: Libonati community-building and collaboren.
Later this year, ~ilahent stage Scottish
will
for the season opener. The new adaptation (not explains.'The ensemble is creative and advento be confused with Michael Smith's version twous and it's apleasure to unpack this story p
l
David Greig's T h e Monster in the
that has played at Victory Gardens) was cre- and re-examine it with them."
Hallpas well as t onewsegments of "Crossing
w
T h e Snow Queen" also will mark the debut Six Corners."
ated by Libonati and playwright Tyler Monroe.
Filament, which can seat up to 180 (65
Additional puppets and masks for the Filament of Filament's 2014 acting ensemllle, which
staging are by artist ~effsemmerG.
includes actors Lindsey D~rcus,
Nathan Drack- seats is the limit for 'The Snow Queen"), is
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JARECKYW SUN.TlWS MEDIA
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the hall is the Wonal
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shuttered

3. L
-
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SUN-TIMES AGENDA- I
1
.
I
L a > , .
Corner House
Filament Theatre launches full-out stage
season with 'The Snow Queen'
By MARY
HOULIHAN
For SUN-TIMES
MEDIA
.?
I
I
-
I
n August 2013,Filament Theatre took a big
"Andersen has created an incredibly rich
step into its future by signing a lease on its and evocative world filled with original
f i s t permanent home in the Portage Park and interesting charact- that lends itself
neighborhood near the Six Corners intersec- to a great theatrical r a e r i n g , " Allegra
tion (Milwaukee, Irving Park and Cicero). Since Libonati says. "It's a playful, rustic and dethen, the company has slowly and precisely lightful story that speaks to all ages."
"The Snow Queen" is the tale of yo
worked on getting the raw, new space ready
as well as setting up the usual organizational Gerda and her best friend Kai. When Ksu
infrastructure of an ensemble of artists ready lured to the wicked Snow Queen's pal
to move to the next level.
Gerda embarks on an unexpected qu
While Filament has hosted an array of events to the ends of the world to save him.I t s
story of courage and frien
in the space, including music
ship across the wintery w
"house" concerts and short runs
'THESNOW
ders of the North Pole a
of its original ensemble piece
QUEEN; Jan.
"Crossing Six Corners," an ongobeyond.
17-Feb. 9, Filament
01
Theatre, 4 4 N.
ing series looking at the his"We're interested in tellin$
Milwaukee. $no.
stories that connect with a
tory of its new neighborhood, it
(773) 270-1660;
diverse audience," artistic
is now ready to open its doors for
filarnenttheatre.org
director Julie Ritchey says.
a season of plays beginning with
"Our goal is to create a visceral live
an adaptation of Hans Christian
Andersen's "The Snow Queen!'
aesthetic that draws people i!
n'
For this production, Filament has kept it
"The Snow Queen" was first produced on a
all in the family. Ensemble member Christian proscenium stage. The Filament version will be
Libonati was familiar with a staging of "The up close and a lot more personal, says director
Snow Queen" directed by his sister Allegra, Libonati.
resident director at the American Repertory
"We are reimagining some of the characters
Theatre in Cambridge, Mass., and suggested it to create more subtlety and depth," Libonati
for the season opener. The new adaptation (not explains. "The ensemble is creative &d advento be confused with Michael Smith's version turous and it's a pleasure to unpack this story
that has played at Victory Gardens) was cre- and re-examine it with them."
ated by Libonati and playwright Tyler Monroe.
"The Snow Queen" also will mark the debut
Additional puppets and masks for the Filament of Filament's 2014 acting ensemble, which
includes actors Lindsey Dorcus, Nathan Drackstaging are by artist ~ e f~ e m m e r l i i
f
Libonati directs the play,
JARECKVFOR SUN,TlMES MEDIA
group of multitalented artists to tell stories,
create original work and perform together as
the hall is the
(fdrmerly the
serves to strengthen Filament's emphasis on
community-buildingand collaboratipn.
Later this year, Filament will stage Scottish
shuttered Po
Hl"as well as two new segments of "Crossing
al
SixCorners."
Filament, which can seat up to 180 (65
seats is the limit for T h e Snow Queen"), is
gramming.b