Displaying items by tag: Ebby Offord

Ghostlight Ensemble's production of American Son, written by Christopher Demos-Brown and directed by Ebby Offord, opens on Friday, September 18, at Friendship Community Place in Jefferson Park. 

The production is led by Ensemble Member Courtney Marie as Kendra and Ensemble Member Khenmu Menu-Ra as Lt. Stokes with Shane Novoa Rhoades as Scott and Derek Preston Ray as Larkin. Understudies are Terah Jene, Eric K. Roberts, Kyle Roth and Ryan Ken.

"American Son has been on my artistic bucket list for as long as I can remember. As a Black woman married to a white man, its themes are all too familiar, and as a GET Ensemble member, it's right on mission," Marie said. "I can't imagine a better time to tell this story."

In American Son, an estranged biracial couple must confront their feelings about race and bias after their son is detained by the local police following a traffic stop incident. 

The story unfolds over a single night as Kendra, a Black mother, desperately seeks answers about the whereabouts of her 18-year-old son, Jamal, who has gone missing after an encounter with the police. As tensions escalate, Kendra is joined by her estranged white husband, Scott, and their clashing perspectives expose deep-seated issues of race, privilege and systemic bias.

Set in a Florida police station, American Son is a gripping tale of two parents caught in our national divide, with their worst fears hanging in the balance. This tense and emotionally charged drama is a compelling exploration of contemporary social issues.

The show also ticks off a role on Menu-Ra's artistic wish list. 

"Personally, I've wanted to play a sort of no-nonsense cop since watching Andre Braugher as Lt. Frank Pembleton on NBC's cop drama Homicide back in the 90s," he said.

"It's exciting to finally step into this law enforcement role in a show as nuanced and layered as American Son. It's a pretty stark reflection of the real lives at stake in the volatile, reactionary world we're living through," Menu-Ra added. "We pose some challenging questions, and I look forward to sharing it with audiences."

The production team includes Stage Manager Hailey Piorek, Scenic and Props Designer Adri Andreolas, Sound Designer Jaden Leverett and Costume Designer Andrés Mota. The show is produced by Ensemble Members Justin Broom, Courtney Marie, Chad Wise and Holly Robison.

The production runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. September 18 through October 4, 2026, at Friendship Community Place (5150 N Northwest Highway, Chicago, IL 60630). There will be a preview performance on Thursday, September 17 and an understudy performance on Monday, September 28. The show runs about 90 minutes with no intermission.

Friendship Community Place is a non-profit organization that serves as a hyper-local neighborhood hub on Chicago's northwest side with partnerships that promote equity, justice and provides resources and public programming. The space is fully accessible with ADA restrooms and automatic doors. 

Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with an average donation of $25. Audience members who are financially able to donate more help offset the cost for those who can't afford to give. For the preview performance on Thursday, September 17, the suggested donation is $15. Tickets are available now.

American Son is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

The play premiered on Broadway at the Booth Theatre on November 4, 2018. Directed by Kenny Leon, the production featured Kerry Washington, Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee. In 2019, Netflix produced a film adaptation of the play with the original Broadway cast reprising their roles. 

Look for details about the entire 2026-2027 season and Ghostlight Ensemble at GhostlightEnsemble.com.

Ghostlight Ensemble is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit theatre whose mission it is to ask questions that challenge the status quo through timeless stories, immersive environments and unconventional staging. As an ensemble-based theatre, Ghostlight is made up of individual artists who are dedicated to collaborative creation and committed to working together consistently over years to develop a distinctive body of work. We welcome you to learn more about us at GhostlightEnsemble.com.

Is there anything more alluring than a summer night in Chicago? The lakefront beaches, the meandering pathways, the festivals and street foods, the hidden gardens where free art productions are staged, whatever you like, you can find it in the city during summer evenings. There is no shortage of parks to explore or cultural events to experience, thanks in part to the Mayor’s Night Out in the Parks program that partners with organizations to stage free artistic experiences in neighborhood parks all around the city. One such organization kicked off its summer series with a spectacular – and free – performance of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, now playing throughout Chicago parks through August 2^nd.

Shakespeare’s As You Like It is a comedy that follows Rosalind and Orlando, two lovers who each run away from their own political and familial problems and escape into the Forest of Arden. Disguised as a shepherd boy, Rosalind finds Orlando and convinces him to woo her under the guise of curing him of his love for Rosalind. Multiple couplings occur, lessons of life and love are expounded on, and, as every Shakespeare comedy does, As You Like It ends with a wedding – four to be precise.

foreground - Thomas Russell and Connor O. Locklin. Photo by Steven Townsend, Distant Era.

As You Like It is the 2026 production of Midsommer Flight, a theatre troupe that stages high-quality, accessible performances of Shakespeare’s plays in Chicago. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf, this summer’s production continues to delight audiences and draw crowds, presenting free performances to Chicago communities that aim to bring people together. Midsommer Flight is an Arts Partner with Chicago Park District and a participant in the Mayor’s Night Out in the Parks initiative. They will be performing the classic Shakespeare comedy throughout the summer at different neighborhoods throughout the city, but if you think you’ve seen a Shakespeare production, (seen one, seen them all, right?) I beseech you to venture to one of the parks. At the best of times, Shakespearean stories can be difficult to follow: analogous phrasing, double entendres, prosaic old-timey insults, and slurs; it’s not always easy to follow. Midsommer Flight, however, gives the old texts modernity, witty asides, and an expressive atmosphere that makes the play easy to follow and understand. The acting is superior, and the inclusivity is a delightful and refreshing display of humanity at its finest. Talent of the Midsommer Flight cast would rival that of any Shakespearean theatre company, charging hundreds of dollars for seats, and staging productions in grand halls. And the best part? The productions are completely free to the public. The accessibility, the garden park scenery, and the flowy costuming truly provide a magical experience, embodying the spirit, humanity, and beauty of the arts.

There are many benefits to living in and around the Chicagoland area, but summertime really brings out the best and brightest Chicago has to offer. Night Out in the Parks is but one of the many incredible accessible programs bringing cultural events to neighborhoods to “amplify the artistic and cultural vibrancy of our city in every neighborhood and enhance quality of life across Chicago.” Find out more about Night Out in the Parks here. When initiatives such as this meet the grassroots talent and love shown by Midsommer Flight, magic happens. Whether you like it because it’s in your local park or you like it because it is free, there is truly something for everyone this summer in Chicago. You can truly have it just as you like it. As You Like It will be performed outdoors at six Chicago parks through August 2^nd. Learn more about Midsommer Flight and its mission, and check out the list of upcoming performances at parks throughout Chicago and reserve your free space today!