The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission (ECAC) presents a staged reading of the play "The Shared Wife" by Merri Biechler on July 18, 19 and 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division Street 8th Floor, in downtown Elgin. This event is free to the public.
THE PLAY
Natalie McKenzie runs a small company that records audio books. Her co-owners—and housemates—are her husband and his brother. After a passionate kiss with her brother-in-law, Natalie is determined to save her marriage. And help is on the way! The company is set to record the next self-help mega hit, A Recipe for Marriage. But Natalie can’t choose which brother she wants to be married to. And then there’s the dilemma of the live chicken. That tasty, tasty chicken. "The Shared Wife" is a comedy about the people we love and the chicken we eat.
THE PLAY
Natalie McKenzie runs a small company that records audio books. Her co-owners—and housemates—are her husband and his brother. After a passionate kiss with her brother-in-law, Natalie is determined to save her marriage. And help is on the way! The company is set to record the next self-help mega hit, A Recipe for Marriage. But Natalie can’t choose which brother she wants to be married to. And then there’s the dilemma of the live chicken. That tasty, tasty chicken. "The Shared Wife" is a comedy about the people we love and the chicken we eat.
THE PLAYERS
The cast includes Elgin residents Tim Martens and Clarissa Yearman, Catie Early of East Dundee, and Matt A. Fox from Streamwood. Director Larry Boller and Technical Director Tom French are also from Elgin.
THE PLAYWRIGHT
Ms. Biechler received her MFA in playwriting from Ohio University. She worked at ABC Television for three years writing scripts and treatments for its Movie-of-the-Week division, and is a proud member of the Writers Guild of America, Actors’ Equity Association, and Screen Actors Guild. As an actor, she spent 18 months with the original Off-Broadway cast of Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, appeared in the films He Said, She Said; The Thing Called Love; and Pieces of April; and guest-starred on episodes of Judging Amy, E.R., and Murphy Brown. She is currently involved in programs using plays about dementia, diabetes, nurse burnout, and sickle cell disease as teaching tools for students and as community outreach.
Biechler's earlier play, "Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver," was selected for the Page to Stage series in January 2011 and encouraged conversations about end-of-life issues and hospice care.
ABOUT PAGE TO STAGE
The ECAC’s play reading project, Page To Stage, was launched in 2010 to allow playwrights to see and hear their new works performed in front of live audiences. The series also provides an opportunity for area residents to attend readings of new plays and participate in their development. "The Shared Wife" is the eighth installment in this series.
In "Page to Stage," actors carry scripts while acting out the events of the play. A narrator is frequently used to describe the action and visual elements to the audience. The playwright will attend the Friday and Saturday performances and participate in a discussion afterward. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback.
ANOTHER ECAC-SPONSORED EVENT
Friday audience members can enjoy a full evening of the arts in Elgin with a stop at the Opening Reception for the art show "Cheesecake Anyone?" A Salute to the American Pin-up! at the Artspace Gallery, 51 Spring Street, beginning at 6:00 pm and a nightcap at the After Party at Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago Street. Saturday attendees may view the art display before the reading; the gallery opens at 9:00 a.m.
On Saturday, July 19, the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission will also present a free writing workshop "From Perfect Idea to Imperfect Words" at 10:00 a.m. at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division Street 8th Floor, in downtown Elgin. The event is open to the public; reservation is required by July 17. Contact laughline@juno.com to inquire about open spots.
CONTACT
The Page To Stage play reading series is sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Elgin Art Showcase, and the City of Elgin. To learn more about these events and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, please contact Kerri Malone at malone_k@cityofelgin.org.