Strawdog, A Red Orchid announce 2011-2012 seasons

Two of the city's most stalwart storefront theaters released information today about their upcoming seasons. Strawdog Theatre Company opens its 24th season with Harold Pinter's Old Times, directed by Kimberly Senior (Oct 6–Nov 12), followed by Robert E. Sherwood's 1935 roadside-diner drama The Petrified Forest, with Shade Murray directing (Feb 23–Mar 31). Brandon Bruce, newly appointed Strawdog artistic director, will make his debut at the helm of John Webster's Jacobean tragedy The Duchess of Malfi (Apr 19–May 26).

A Red Orchid Theatre, marking its 19th season in Old Town, kicks off with the Chicago premiere of Gina Gionfriddo's Pulitzer finalist dark comedy Becky Shaw; Damon Kiely directs a cast that includes AROT ensemble members Lance Baker, Jennifer Engstrom and Mierka Girten (Sep 23–Nov 6). Dado will direct Megacosm, a world premiere by her fellow ensemble member Brett Neveu; this corporate greed fantasia will feature Larry Grimm and Danny McCarthy (Jan 13–Feb 19). In the spring, Shade Murray directs ensemble members Kirsten Fitzgerald and Natalie West in The Butcher of Baraboo (Mar 29–May 13). Marisa Wegrzyn's twisted comedy was first seen in 2006 as part of Steppenwolf's First Look series; West was also in that production's cast. A fourth show, to be performed in summer 2012 by A Red Orchid's Youth Ensemble, will be announced at a later date.