Akvavit Theatre in Chicago announces 2014-2015 season

Akvavit Theatre in Chicago has announced its 2014-2015 Season Two U.S. premieres, including an appearance at DCASE’s Storefront Theater, the return of a special burlesque performance, and a festival of staged readings of Nordic plays round out Akvavit Theatre’s fourth season.

Akvavit Theatre in Chicago, now in its fourth year producing theatrical works that explore the Nordic experience, is thrilled to announce their 2014-2015 season. First up is the U.S. premiere of The Frozen on the Square (1982) by Lucas Svensson, opening October 9 at The Den Theatre. And on February 13, 2015, the U.S. premiere of Blue Planet by Andri Snær Magnason, will open at DCASE’s Storefront Theater. Other Akvavit happenings include a one-night-only performance of Pippi’s Lost Stockings: a Skirt-Raiser on Friday August 22, and Akvavit’s biennial Nordic Spirit Festival – a series of staged readings of contemporary Nordic plays – in December.

While Akvavit has been producing full seasons for three years, this marks the first time the emerging company has planned an entire season in advance. “Raise a glass!” says Akvavit Artistic Director Chad Eric Bergman, “For the first time in Akvavit’s short and vibrant history we have been able to envision a full season. And what a great season! We are thrilled to bring these plays to life for U.S. audiences for the first time.”

The U.S. premiere of The Frozen on the Square (1982) by Lucas Svensson is a world-premiere translation by Akvavit’s Producing Artistic Director Chad Eric Bergman, and will be directed by company member Breahan Eve Pautsch (dir.: Autumn Dream). The show will open October 9 and will run through November 9 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago.

Ingmar Bergman returns like a force of nature to his small provincial Swedish hometown to film his masterpiece “Fanny & Alexander.” Four locals, extras in the film but principals in this existential comedy, struggle to escape the long shadow their brief encounter with the cinematic master’s crowning achievement casts over their lives.

The U.S. premiere of Blue Planet, by Andri Snær Magnason (based on his own award-winning children’s book The Story of the Blue Planet) will be directed by Akvavit company member Wm. Bullion (dir.: A Summer’s Day), and will open February 13, 2015 and run through March 15 at the DCASE Storefront Theater, 66 E. Randolph in Chicago.

Best friends Hulda and Brimir live on a planet much like Earth, but populated only by children. They live a simple but ideal life. When they meet an adult—the mysterious Jolly-Goodday—they are promised a life of greater joy, even more spectacular fun, and cannot resist. But, what are they willing to trade for an immediate reward? The exuberance of Peter Pan, the wonder of the myth of Icarus, mixed with an eco-conscious message, Blue Planet is a family-friendly and lively integrated theatrical experience that is sure to illuminate, entertain and inspire.

Pippi’s Lost Stockings: A Skirt-Raiser, produced for a one-night-only fundraiser event, will be performed on Friday, August 22 at Mary’s Attic, 5400 N. Clark in Chicago. This burlesque parody of the beloved Swedish children’s classic, Pippi Longstocking is a grownups-only piece, conceived and directed by Chicago burlesque stalwart Rose Freeman and Akvavit Theatre company member Wm. Bullion.

Akvavit’s Nordic Spirit Festival will return in December 2014, highlighting staged readings of one contemporary play from each of the five Nordic countries, as well as work from the Sami culture (indigenous peoples of far northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia’s Kola Peninsula). Specific dates and locations will be announced closer to the event.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Akvavit Theatre is a new voice in the Chicago theatre scene. Taking as our inspiration the striking landscapes of the five Nordic countries—harnessing the force of the glacier, in its powerful seeming stillness, the volcano, in its sudden white-hot eruption, and the arctic silence in between—we strive to find the universal through the voices of the Nordic world. This is our contribution to the American mosaic. And like our namesake drink, Akvavit brings a “strong spirit” to the plays, workshops and events that we produce. Skål, Skál, Kippis! For more information, please visit www.akvavittheatre.org.

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