2007/08 World's Stage Series Opens with the Return Engagement of

James Thiérrée in the American Premiere of

Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie)

November 21 – December 1, 2007

Chicago—November 21, 2007—Chicago Shakespeare Theater's (CST) international programming initiative, The World's Stage Series, begins the 2007/08 Season with Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie), marking the triumphant return of James Thiérrée to the CST stage. Thiérrée and his company, who stunned CST audiences in 2005 with his physical spectacle Bright Abyss, performs the American premiere of his new production at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier for only 9 performances, now through Saturday, December 1, 2007.

The American premiere of James Thiérrée's new work, Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie), has already received standing ovations and critical acclaim in Switzerland, France, and London. "Although Thiérrée is weary of being compared to Charlie Chaplin, his grandfather, you can't help noticing how closely he resembles the little tramp" (Bloomberg). Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie) dazzles audiences with what L'Express declares "has made the world magical again!" During the production's recent run at Sadler's Wells in London, The Times hailed it as "a heart-stopping work, which weaves poetic reverie, fantastical comedy, insouciant acrobatics and dance." Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie) promises to be another visually phenomenal event in CST's Courtyard Theater, which is reconfigured into a proscenium stage.

Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie) is performed by some of the world's finest acrobats, dancers and musicians: Kaori Ito, Magnus Jakobsson, Satchie Noro, Maria Sendow, and James Thiérrée.

The production team includes scenic design by Marc Moura and Léon Bony; lighting design by Jérôme Sabre; costume design by Victoria Thiérrée and Manon Gignoux; and sound design by Thomas Delot.

Farewell Umbrella (Au Revoir Parapluie) begins its limited engagement today, with performances scheduled through December 1, 2007 in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater. The performance schedule is: November 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 and December 1 at 7:30 p.m.; and November 25 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $46 ($42, age 25 and under) Tuesday through Thursday and $56 ($52, age 25 and under) Friday through Sunday. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

The 2007/08 World's Stage Series continues with the Chicago debut of Canada's Shaw Festival and its production of Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw, in CST's Courtyard Theater, Tuesday, January 8 through Sunday, January 20, 2008; and Fragments, based on texts by preeminent playwright Samuel Beckett and directed by the world-renowned Peter Brook, Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, Wednesday, January 30 through Saturday, February 9, 2008.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to be among Chicago's foremost arts institutions that place a priority on forging global connections by cultivating international cultural events for Chicago audiences. Through The World's Stage Series, CST has brought to its stage 18 international productions, and has shared its uniquely American brand of Shakespeare performance with the world. Chicago Shakespeare Theater also has inaugurated a program designed to connect Chicago artists with international guest artists. Sharing the World's Stage creates opportunities for Chicago artists to engage with the international innovators presented in the World's Stage Series by presenting expert panels, guest speakers and master classes associated with each visiting international company. For Chicago audiences and artists, The World's Stage Series is a passport to experiencing exceptional stage work.

Farewell Umbrella Presenting Sponsor: The Boeing Company

Additional project funding for Farewell Umbrella provided by Dick and Lou Hurckes, with grant support from the Julius Frankel Foundation, The Rhoades Foundation, and Étant donnés: The French-American Fund for the Performing Arts, a program of FACE.

Main stage artistic productions are supported, in part, through The Trust for Courtyard Theater Programming, established by a generous leadership grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

American Airlines is the official airline of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

ComEd is the official lighting design sponsor of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Anna Marie Wilharm
Public Relations Assistant
awilharm@chicagoshakes.com
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
312.595.5633

Cathy Taylor
cathy@cathytaylorpr.com
Cathy Taylor Public Relations
773.564.9564

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
on Navy Pier
800 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

View Farewell Umbrella photos