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Helen Drysdale, Public Relations
347-804-6509 vitalisttheatre@gmail.com

VITALIST THEATRE produces

A PASSAGE TO INDIA

Opens TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008

Chicago—March 7, 2008—Vitalist Theatre, in association with Premiere Theatre and Performance, will present E.M. Forster’s A PASSAGE TO INDIA, adapted by Martin Sherman and staged by recent After Dark Award-winning director, Elizabeth Carlin-Metz. Press Opening is scheduled for TUESDAY,

April 8, 2008 at 7:30 P.M., Theatre Building Chicago. A Passage to India will run through May 18, 2008.  

E.M. Forster's most critically acclaimed and award-winning story comes to the stage in a vivid and nuanced adaptation by Martin Sherman, author of the gripping play and film, Bent. A Passage to India is a searing and dimensional portrait of the political and personal devastation caused when an arrogant and "civilized" culture presumes to know what is best for other nations and traditional cultures.  Painted in bold, vibrant strokes, this 20th century masterpiece of imperialism, political and sexual repression, and sensuous awakening amidst a violent collision of powerful forces serves to remind us that social and political might, wielded out of prejudice, willful ignorance, and arrogant self interest, can be deadly.  

Set in India during the Raj, a well meaning but naive young English woman sets destructive forces in motion when she breaks colonial taboos by associating with a Muslim doctor. The independent minded Adela Quested yearns to shed Chandrapore's colonial pretensions and discover the "real India.” Against the advice of her fiancé, the local magistrate, she agrees to tour the ancient and mysterious Marabar Caves with the beguiling Dr. Aziz--unaware of the volcanic passions and explosive fears that this outing will unearth.  

Originally developed in collaboration with the internationally renowned London based physical theatre company Shared Experience, Vitalist Theatre's production of A Passage to India will mark the first time that the adaptation has been presented outside of that company. Vitalist Theatre has produced two other Shared Experience original collaborations to great critical and creative success, The Mill on the Floss and Anna Karenina, and will bring their signature blend of physical expressiveness with visceral language and dynamic imagery to this premiere. The production will feature Kamal Hans, of Silk Road’s acclaimed Merchant on Venice as Dr. Aziz, as well as last season’s Mother Courage, 2007 After Dark Award-winning actress, Lori Myers as Adela Quested.   

Vitalist continues its tradition of presenting events from the allied arts in conjunction with their productions with two special presentations. On following the Sunday, April 13 performances of A Passage to India, Indian and Napali poet Yuyutsu R.D. Sharma will present a reading with the internationally renowned American poets and translators David and Judy Ray. And as a feature of Celtic Orientalism, after the Sunday, April 27 performance, Dylan Thomas’ daughter, Aeronwy Thomas, and Peter Thalbit Jones, director of the Dylan Thomas/Swansea Center (Wales) will present their poetry as part of their 2008 international tour.

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As Artistic Director of Vitalist Theatre since 1997, Elizabeth Carlin-Metz draws upon years of experience (Los Angeles, Great Britain, Chicago) in both traditional and experimental theatre. Under her direction, Vitalist Theatre, with its distinctive fusion of physical theatre, psychological dynamism, and magical-realism, has received an impressive array of critical accolades:

Mother Courage and Her Children

“Under Elizabeth Carlin-Metz’s inspired direction, this grand spectacle emerges as one of the most engrossing, best-articulated shows this year.” Barbara Vitello, Daily Herald

“…invariably smart, original and bold…Highly Recommended” Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

“…a combustible mix… eclectic, stylized, and riveting… Seldom have eight actors created a world so full. Highly Recommended.” Larry Bommer, Chicago Reader

“…Carlin-Metz shows a deft hand…Vitalist hits the mark…Critic’s Pick…Four Stars.” Christopher Piatt, Time Out Chicago

"Every serious theatre patron needs to see this worthy production." Tom Williams, Chicagoritic.com

Anna Karenina

“A play this good should be written across the sky—the greatest production of Anna Karenina I have ever seen.” Yevgeny Yevtushenko

King Lear

“Then there are the shows that seem re-felt from start to finish, offered up as if there was no precedent for their discoveries. Such revelations are even more wonderful when the source is as deceptively familiar as King Lear, happily not so familiar when Vitalist Theatre reinvented the ultimate dysfunctional clan." Larry Bommer, Performink Top Ten Plays

The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol:

“Fascinating work…inventive….a beautifully wrought tale…told in a disarmingly boisterous and supple fashion. For Metz’s directorial acumen alone, I hope the Vitalists find a well-deserved niche in this city’s artistic life.” Michael Philips, Chicago Tribune, Critics Choice and Raves Sections, Annual Top Twenty

Floating Rhoda and the Glue Man

“The best production of any of my plays I have ever seen anywhere” Eve Ensler, Obie Award Winning playwright

The Mill on the Floss

“Wildly impassioned and imaginative … an ambitious and grand production” Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune.

“Vitalist Theatre’s [Mill] is enlivened by dead-on, impassioned performances, so clear in their depths and shallows you can sense the consummate theatricality… It’s an exciting match, Elizabeth Carlin Metz’s kinetic staging and Helen Edmundson’s vibrant adaptation…” Larry Bommer, Chicago Reader, Top Ten Plays