Chalk
by Brad Lawrence

In November 2007, Brad Lawrence's world premiere was mounted at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs' studio stage. This crime noir, drenched in blood, bullets and booze, echoed the story of Oedipus - as told on the mean streets of Prohibition Chicago. Eddie Rexford, a decorated cop once given the keys to the city of Chicago is now a washed-up, ex-alcoholic private eye. Prohibition may have gotten him sober, but it took away his muse. Enter Jaclyn King, a woman from his past, still grieving over the death of her husband after all these years. In classic noir fashion, Eddie succumbs to her and re-opens the case, setting down a mysterious path that will eventually lead to disturbing revelations and tragic conclusions of mythic proportions.

Combining Chicago history and locations with Greek mythology, Chalk utilized costumes, original sound and music, and simple shadow work to weave a dark and gritty spell.

Director:	Nathan Robbel
Stage Manager:	Mark Hurni
Set/Sound Design:	Anthony Ingram
Light Design:	James Vertovec
Costumes:	Sarah Elizabeth Miller
Featuring:	Elizabeth Bagby
	Cyd Blakewell
	Jim Farrell
	Dan Granata
	Eddie Jordan III
	Erin Elizabeth Orr
	Colby Sellers
	Joseph Stearns
	Christopher M. Walsh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feedback:

"Holding it all together is a masterful performance by Joseph Stearns as Eddie, the world-weary detective wading through constant deception and self-disappointment from his alcohol-fueled past mistakes. Director Nathan Robbel makes skilled use of the limited Studio Theater space by working with lighting designer James Vertovec to incorporate a number of great back-lit silhouettes to dress up the scenes... these silhouettes are ingeniously worked into the fabric of CHALK and evoke that characteristic film noir look... Chalk is an entertaining and action-packed stage homage to the imaginary black-and-white underworld of film noir Chicago."
Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times