Well we are about to enter the second full weekend of the run after opening and I am really enjoying being around the cast these days. Of course I always love being around them, but one can feel the energy radiating off of these actors, especially when they are together, because they know they have hit their stride-and that is pretty intoxicating. The cast had a 10 am matinee yesterday for a couple of school groups and standing in the lobby one would have thought there was a rock concert going on inside...the students and teachers alike were in love with this play and these characters from the beginning and stayed right with them to the end. There was so much hooting and hollering during "Freedom" the cast felt like they were in a burlesque show. We even had one of the most engaging post-show discussions I have ever seen afterwards. The buzz on the street is clearly good because tickets continue to fly out the door. If you have not booked your tickets yet do it soon because sooner than later there will not be ANY left. Of course the glowing reviews and the Jeff recommendation the show received have helped. You can read some of the raves about Speech & Deabte by following the links below:

Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2008/04/speech-and-deba.html

Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=185268

Christopher Piatt, Time Out Chicago
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/theater/29256/speech-and-debate

Catey Sullivan, Windy City Times
http://www.windycitytimes.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=18251

Tom Williams, Chicagocritic.com
http://www.chicagocritic.com/html/speech_and_debate.html

Or click this link to find all these and more in one place:

http://www.theatreinchicago.com/review.php?playID=2242

~Jason Gerace, Assistant Director

The audience is always the last element added to a production, and especially with a comedy it is a very important one. We have been through two previews now, and the injection of the final element has been tremendously exciting and energizing for us. The audience for our second preview last night was with us right from the start-laughing, clapping, smiling, cheering-we could feel the energy coming from them, rooting on these characters. The lobby was truly buzzing afterward. People were just so turned on by this show that they didn't want to leave-they wanted to stay emmersed in the aura surrounding everyone who had just been through the experience of this performance together. Sure the pizza and beer had something to do with it-but I heard people talking about tears rolling down their faces and peeing their pants with laughter. I heard people saying they couldn't wait to come back and see it again. It was a scene which we would be very fortunate see repeated, and that I feel confident will happen over and over through the run of this show.

We were also joined by the playwright of Speech & Debate, Stephen Karam, yesterday afternoon and for the preview. He was firing questions at me a mile a minute on the drive back from the airport, but as he walked in the theater and saw the set his nervous energy transformed into enthusiasm, and even more so once he was able to see the way we are using the projections in this production. His response to the performance was tremendously positive and he told me himself that he is in love with this cast. We are glad to have him with us through the opening. Just a couple of days to opening...bring it on!

~Jason Gerace, Assistant Director

Well we spent over 20 hours at the theatre teching Speech & Debate from Friday night through Sunday, and while we had at least our fair share of hang-ups and snafoos I am happy to report that we have emerged unscathed and excited about what is about to happen in this last week before opening. Thank the heavens for our amazing team or this whole process could have been truly challenging to the will and heart of each of us involved...the best thing about working with people of this caliber is that every time you think you have had it, someone comes through with a truly beautiful artistic contribution that reminds you why you are there in the first place, reenergizes everyone in the room, and inspires all to charge on. The set continues to prove itself dynamic and interesting, the lights are sexy, the sound design spot on, the video projections are fabulous. We have a very exciting vomiting effect that I know everyone is excited about, and as is always the case, the costumes really bring the characters alive. Everyone was so nimble and flexible all weekend-it is a marvel of collaboration.

And where, I ask you, would we be without our cast who through it all was able to keep a smile on their faces and keep everyone in the room laughing, down to the last hour? Thinking back to how exhausted I was leaving the theater last night well after 1AM, I am amazed at the fire that is burning in my stomach as I think about getting back to it tomorrow night. I guess I am just eager to see where I know this thing can go.

~Jason Gerace, Assistant Director

What a week! We have been rehearsing hard and we were able to not only get the entire show staged, but even a first run of the show in by Sunday! Considering that most of us met Jared on Tuesday this is a huge triumph! We even did a little cast bonding, taking Jared out for his first Chicago style pizza experience (Lou Malnati's) on Saturday night, and sharing a large table full of mexican food and several large pitchers of margaritas on Sunday after the run. I guess we all had a good time too because we were planning other outings for the near future-a Cubs game seems to be high on the list. I was extremely impressed with the work these actors are doing under very trying circumstances. Jared was off book for an entire play he had in his possession less than a week, and Sadieh, Patrick, and Cheryl were knocking scenes out of the park that we haven't touched in two weeks. More than anything though, I just can't get over how funny this play is. It really says something about the writing, but also about the talent of the cast. The fact that PJ and I, along with our Stage Managers are still laughing to the point of tears on a very regular basis is really something. It makes me so excited for the opening!

The set is looking great as well, and it has been nice to be able to work on the rake, lockers, and chairs-and we are all eager to see the lights and projections, and start working with the costumes (especially the tear-away pieces). The actors are putting on their dancy-pants tonight to polish up "Freedom" and then we are back to the nitty-gritty.

~Jason Gerace, Assistant Director

April, 2008

Well, we're rapidly approaching tech, yet it feels like we just
started. The false start of having and losing Stephen Grush was
challenging in establishing a smooth rehearsal process. We were sad to
lose Stephen, but thrilled to gain Jared McGuire, a terrific young
actor. Jared's been in rehearsal four days and he's off book and
we've staged half the play...in two days. His dedication and
commitment is inspiring to everyone. It's challenging to reflect on
the project because it's been so disjointed. When I think about how
fantastic everyone's been I am so proud. But of course I'm frustrated
with the lack of time. I can only give accolades to Patrick, Sadieh
and Cheryl for being resilient throughout a chaotic process. I'm a
fan of moment-to-moment work at the table, and we've had more on this
play than I've ever done before. That's terrific, and yet our time
exploring the physicality of the play is limited. That's
frustrating…but there's nothing to do about it but press on. Jared
has brought an incredible depth to the critical moments of his
character's challenging journey. Patrick's buoyancy and optimism
fills his character with a glistening positive approach to life. His
struggles are genuine but his hope is very tangible. Sadieh's wicked
imagination is infectious. I truly needed to leave the room several
times a day because of the authentic ridiculousness she has captured
in her character. Cheryl totally makes me laugh. Her recent approach
to Jan Clark had me on the floor…mostly because she's so recognizable.
At the end of the day, this cast has worked so hard at finding the
truth in all these extreme situations. It's the best kind of comedy
because it's grounded in reality. Time is not our friend right now,
even with the postponement of opening. We'll be working right up
until opening. I feel very blessed that we have the team we have
working on the show.

-PJ Paparelli