October 3 - 7, 2018
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In a run-down movie theater in central Massachusetts, three underpaid employees mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35 millimeter film projectors in the state. A hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world.
Kaitlynn Shelton (Rose) and Brandon Sapp (Avery) in Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance production of The Flick, directed by Josh Anderson, October 3 – 7, 2018. Photo by Wade Duerkes, NIU Creative Services.
Brandon Sapp (Avery), Kaitlynn Shelton (Rose), and Joel Ottenheimer (Sam) in Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance production of The Flick, directed by Josh Anderson, October 3 – 7, 2018. Photo by Wade Duerkes, NIU Creative Services.
Brandon Sapp (Avery) in Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance production of The Flick, directed by Josh Anderson, October 3 – 7, 2018. Photo by Wade Duerkes, NIU Creative Services.
Kaitlynn Shelton (Rose) in Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance production of The Flick, directed by Josh Anderson, October 3 – 7, 2018. Photo by Wade Duerkes, NIU Creative Services.
Joel Ottenheimer (Sam) and Kaitlynn Shelton (Rose) in Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance production of The Flick, directed by Josh Anderson, October 3 – 7, 2018. Photo by Wade Duerkes, NIU Creative Services.
Brandon Sapp (Avery) and Joel Ottenheimer (Sam) in Northern Illinois University’s School of Theatre and Dance production of The Flick, directed by Josh Anderson, October 3 – 7, 2018. Photo by Wade Duerkes, NIU Creative Services.
May 31 - July 6, 2018
Chicago, IL
“The actors in this cast present grounded performances steeped in strong character work and in many instances, the scenes reflect remarkable similarities to the present day.”
- Marla Seidell / Picture this Post
“Tiresias Was a Weatherman Lampoons Our Prozac Nation … the weather/emotion parallel in this world premiere for Organic Theater Company provides an interesting jumping off point.”
- Matthew Nerber / Third Coast Review
TIRESIAS WAS A WEATHERMAN is a world premiere comedy about serious stuff. In this kinda-sorta adaptation of Sophocles' classic ANTIGONE, playwright Jaime Mire imagines a world, parallel to our own, where human emotions have a direct connection to the weather. These events occasionally result in immediate and disastrous meteorological events. How far are we willing to go to stay dry? Grab your umbrellas for this off-beat and touching comedy about family, mental health, and the weather. Directed by company member Josh Anderson.
John Arthur Lewis (Troy), Adam Zaininger (Sun), Laura Sturm (Joyce), Will Burdin (Wind), Colin Jackson (Thunder), and Joel Moses (Rain) in Organic Theater’s production of Tiresias Was A Weatherman, directed by Josh Anderson, associate director Anna Gelman, May 31 – July 6, 2018. Photo by Anna Gelman.
Taylor Raye (Cindy) and John Arthur Lewis (Troy) in Organic Theater’s production of Tiresias Was A Weatherman, directed by Josh Anderson, associate director Anna Gelman, May 31 – July 6, 2018. Photo by Anna Gelman.
Nyssa Lowenstein (Charlie), and Laura Sturm (Joyce) in Organic Theater’s production of Tiresias Was A Weatherman, directed by Josh Anderson, associate director Anna Gelman, May 31 – July 6, 2018. Photo by Anna Gelman.
Sara Copeland (Izzy) and Shaina Schrooten (Annabelle) in Organic Theater’s production of Tiresias Was A Weatherman, directed by Josh Anderson, associate director Anna Gelman, May 31 – July 6, 2018. Photo by Anna Gelman.
Shaina Schrooten (Annabelle) and Adam Zaininger (Sun) in Organic Theater’s production of Tiresias Was A Weatherman, directed by Josh Anderson, associate director Anna Gelman, May 31 – July 6, 2018. Photo by Anna Gelman.
June 1 - July 8, 2016
Organic Theater Company
Chicago, IL
"Josh Anderson's production for Organic Theater Company capitalizes on Simon's levity while an ensemble of versatile performers brings authenticity to his richer characters..."
-Dan Jakes / Chicago Reader
"Josh Anderson directs The Good Doctor to its fullest potential, mining every comedic moment..."
-August Lysy / ChicagoCritic.com
THE GOOD DOCTOR is Neil Simon’s heartwarming and hilarious tribute to Anton Chekhov. Simon, the popular Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, expertly weaves a variety of Chekhov short stories into a laugh-out-loud evening of infectious humor, touching tenderness and unending fun. Join us as we explore the intertwining genius of Simon and Chekhov in this delightful production.
Will Burdin, Bryan Wakefield, Sara Copeland. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Sara Copeland. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Laura Sturm and Jim Weatherly. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Will Burdin, Sara Copeland, Laura Sturm, and Jim Weatherly. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Bryan Wakefield. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
May 21 - June 28, 2016
Organic Theater Company
Chicago, IL
"Superbly directed by Josh Anderson, the Organic Theater Company’s current production of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” at Greenhouse Theatre is an insightful piece that is both imaginative and funny."
-Ken Payne / buzznews.com
"You’d be hard pressed to find a finer ensemble. Joel Moses’ Einstein and Perrella’s Picasso lead the skilled cast. Martin’s masterwork proves that profound ‘idea’ plays can be funny and still deliver a wallop! See this gem."
-Tom Williams / ChicagoCritic.com
This absurdest comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, popular actor and screenwriter Steve Martin plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century’s achievements, as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Flourishes of humanity and hilarity exist in the bars other patrons, including a late arrival by a dark haired stranger from another time.
Jaime Mire, Joel Moses, Bryan Wakefield, Sean Thomas. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Bryan Wakefield. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Philena Gilmer. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Anthony Perrella Jr., Daniel Dauphin, Joel Moses. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
Sean Thomas, Philena Gilmer, Joel Moses, Anthony Perrella Jr., Daniel Dauphin, Will Burdin, Jaime Mire, Bryan Wakefield. Photography by Matthew C. Yee.
May 26 - July 6, 2014
Organic Theater Company
Chicago, IL
"Josh Anderson’s much-welcome staging of this seldom-produced script moves briskly along. The highlight of his production is Adam Shalzi as Buddy, a lanky young actor with a perfect physicality and line delivery for this part."
-Colin Douglas / Theatre In Chicago
"The highligt of [Josh Anderson's] production is Adam Shalzi as Buddy... in a role that should make him a star."
-Centerstage
When Buddy Layman was young he almost drowned. This trauma and the loss of his mother in the same accident has left him deathly afraid of water. C.C. Showers, a preacher set on breaking away from a long line of Kentucky family preachers, is determined not to do what he does best. He works as a mechanic for the boy’s father. The story of unlikely friendship between the disturbed young man and the disenchanted preacher is set against a backdrop of America’s midwest in the 1930’s, a time filled with searching for that elusive something that allows us all go on.
Joel Moses, Adam Shalzi. Photography by Anthony Perrella Jr.
Philena Gilmer, Adam Shalzi. Photography by Anthony Perrella Jr.
Michael Kim Lewis. Photography by Anthony Perrella Jr.
Adam Shalzi, Joel Moses. Photography by Anthony Perrella Jr.
Andy Gwyn, Michael Holding, Joel Moses. Photography by Anthony Perrella Jr.
December 2008 - 2017
Organic Theater Company
North Central College, Naperville IL
You probably know Jacob Marley as the ghostly former business partner of Ebeneezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In Organic’s production of the award winning play by Chicago’s Tom Mula, we follow Marley in a story of his own. Along with a cheery sprite named Bogle, Marley travels through space and time, revealing a new side to the holiday classic. As it turns out, behind Scrooge’s adventure, Jacob Marley also visits boyhood struggles, modern day merriment, and a glimpse of what’s yet to come. Share in the joy of Marley’s fresh start by joining Marley and Bogle on their hilarious and touching journey.
Bryan Wakefield, Richard L. Gross, Colin Jackson. Photography by Anna Gelman.
Richard L. Gross, Bryan Wakefield. Photography by Anna Gelman.
Richard L. Gross. Photography by Anna Gelman.
Bryan Wakefield, Amy Powell, Richard L. Gross, Colin Jackson. Photography by Anna Gelman.
Richard L. Gross, Amy Powell. Photography by Anna Gelman.
September 2012
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Melville’s subtitle to his classic Bartleby the Scrivener is “a story of Wall Street.” This serves as classic misdirection. The tale he weaves has less to do with finance, or matters legal, and everything to do with everything we take for granted in our everyday lives. When the lowliest and the meekest of clerks in an irrelevant legal office suddenly decides not to perform a simple task he had been ordered to accomplish, the world of his boss is turned upside down. At a loss for the appropriate action, his proper manager embarks on a journey that surprises him as much as it does the unlikely rebel. Those who are familiar with this beloved saga are in for an unexpected ride with the Organic troupe leading the way. Will Bartleby win the battle of wills? Will we ever solve the enigma behind his unexpected behavior? Will anyone who sees this production ever see their lives at the office the same way again?
Caitlin Ewald, William Burdin, Mark Hespen. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Caitlin Ewald, William Burdin, Andy Rodriguez, Mark Hespen. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Amy Powell, William Burdin. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Caitlin Ewald, William Burdin, Mark Hespen. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Jessica Kearney, Mark Hespen, William Burdin, Andy Rodriguez, Caitlin Ewald, Amy Powell. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
September 2011
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
From Off-Broadway comes this astonishing charmer of a play, based upon the semi-autobiographical final work of three-time Pulitzer Prize–winning icon of American letters, Thornton Wilder.
Set in the tony resort town of Newport, RI, during the height of the Jazz Age in summer, 1926, Theophilus North follows the exploits of the title character as he searches for adventure and his place in the world. Quitting his teaching position in New Jersey, and stranded in Newport after his jalopy breaks down, thirty-year-old Theophilus takes odd jobs (tennis instructor, French tutor, private reader…) in houses of the wealthy, infiltrating himself into the lives and troubles of Newport’s residents, both upstairs and downstairs. But the greatest adventure in store is not at all what he has imagined…
September 2010
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Featuring six diverse but equally hysterical one-act comedies, David Ives’ All in the Timing is a witty, romantic, absurd, and existentially-minded evening of theatre.
Troy Peckham, Caitlin Ewald, Michael Kim Lewis. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Troy Peckham, Caitlin Ewald. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Michael Kim Lewis. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Jeremy Staple. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Troy Peckham, Caitlin Ewald. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
September 2009
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Tomfoolery is based on The Tom Lehrer Songbook and is a show like no other. Written by Cameron Mackintosh and Robin Ray, with music and lyrics by Tom Lehrer, this is one wildly wicked musical revue of novelty songs (there are no sad ones in this bunch). Music, laughter and no one spared – when you're dealing with the humor of Tom Lehrer, nothing is sacred.
Neil Brookshire, Chelsea Duvall, Phillip Beaupre. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Chelsea Duvall, Neil Brookshire, Anthony Perrella Jr., Phillip Beaupre. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Anthony Perrella Jr. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Neil Brookshire, Anthony Perrella Jr. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
Chelsea Duvall, Neil Brookshire, Anthony Perrella Jr. Photography by Terrence McClellan.
September 2008
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL
Ruth and Jack, both in their mid-thirties, believe themselves perfectly suited to each other. But when Ruth suddenly mentions marriage, a subtle but ominous change is felt in their relationship. Later, no holds are barred, and the irreconcilable differences between which were largely sublimated in the beginning now burst forth in full fury, leading to a monumental explosion and, apparently, Ruth and Jack's acceptance of the sobering truth that there is more that divides them than unites them.
