What Happens:
Chicago, 1934: As the Century of Progress Exposition takes the city by storm, Charles Lang searches for a patent for his revolutionary engine, which runs only on water. Lang’s engine would be a death blow to industrial America, but his desperate quest to see it made reveals a Chicago far less romantic than the one portrayed by the Fair. Written as a radio play with live sound effects, David Mamet’s forgotten American classic uses nine actors as the voices of an entire city and unveils the tragedy at the intersection of science, faith and progress.
David Mamet Playwright
T7 Credits: The Water Engine: An American Fable; Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Writer)
David Mamet is an internationally recognized playwright, director, and screenwriter. In 1973 he founded the St. Nicholas Theatre Co. in Chicago. He won wide notice with Sexual Perversity in Chicago (1974) and followed it with plays such as American Buffalo (1977) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1983, Pulitzer Prize). He became known for rapid-fire dialogue studded with obscenities and for his preoccupation with power relationships and corporate corruption. Mamet used the rhythms and rhetoric of everyday speech to delineate character, describe intricate relationships, and drive dramatic development. His later plays include Speed-the-Plow (1987), Oleanna (1992), and The Cryptogram (1994); his screenplays include The Verdict (1980) and The Untouchables (1986). He also wrote and directed films such as House of Games (1987) and State and Main (2000).
updated september 2012
Brian Golden Director
T7 Credits: Is Chicago, Killing Women, The Sand Castle, Diversey Harbor, Hunting and Gathering, The Water Engine: An American Fable, In the Heart of America, American Storm (Director); Yes This Really Happened to Me, We Live Here, Cooperstown (Writer), Mimesophobia (Man Who Speaks...), Boys & Girls (Frank - Never Swim Alone), The Chicago Landmark Project (Co-Coordinator; Writer - 63rd & Woodlawn: Robust Coffee Lounge; Director - 63rd & Kedzie: Arab American Community Center)
Brian Golden is the Managing Artistic Director and a founding member of Theatre Seven of Chicago. During his leadership, Theatre Seven’s work has been seen by 12,000+ patrons and the company has been nominated for three Jeff Awards, two Black Theatre Alliance Awards, been a three-time finalist and the 2012 winner of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theatre Award, and paid over 200 artists for their work. Brian was the Co-Coordinator of Theatre Seven’s 2011 The Chicago Landmark Project, 12 World Premiere short plays about 12 specific Chicago landmarks. His play Cooperstown was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award, and he was one of eight co-authors of We Live Here, which was nominated for 2 Jeff Awards, including Best New Work. Brian works for Catharsis Productions as the company’s Literary Manager, developing new artistic programs with an emphasis on social justice and violence reduction. Brian is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, a two-time winner of the A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Contest, and recipient of the Leota Diesel Ashton Playwriting Prize and John J. Jutkowitz Award.
updated october 2012
Brian Stojak Performer
T7 Credits: Is Chicago (Dennis/Danny), Killing Women (Everybody Else), Boys & Girls (Bill - Never Swim Alone), Election Day (Assistant Director), Diversey Harbor (Dennis), Lies & Liars (Michael), Cooperstown (Director), Mimesophobia (Aaron), The Water Engine: An American Fable (Ensemble/Foley), The Chicago Landmark Project (Director - Ohio & The Lake: Navy Pier)
Brian Stojak is a founding company member of Theatre Seven of Chicago and spent four years as its Director of Marketing. He has worked as an actor and director in Chicago for Theatre Seven of Chicago, Pavement Group, 2nd Story/Serendipity Theatre Collective, Briar Street Productions, the Abbie Hoffman Festival, Columbia College and The Side Project's Children's Theatre.
updated september 2012
Cassy Sanders Performer
T7 Credits: Yes, This Really Happened to Me; We Live Here (Co-Director); Lies & Liars (Co-Director/Conceiver); Mimesophobia (Jessica); The Water Engine: An American Fable (Ensemble); The Chicago Landmark Project (Co-Coordinator, Co-Dramaturg); Exit, Pursued by a Bear; BlackTop Sky (Director)
Cassy is the Associate Artistic Director of Theatre Seven. She is also a Company Member of Theatre Seven, and a member of Theatre Seven's 7P Literary Circle. Cassy is a director, dramaturg, writer, and performer. Recent projects include Co-Directing Theatre Seven of Chicago’s We Live Here and directing Pavement Group’s MilkMilkLemonade. She is a company member of Theatre Seven of Chicago where she co-conceived / co- directed Lies & Liars and co-directed the 2008 summer hit Yes, This Really Happened to Me. Other Chicago directing credits include: The Pigeons (Walkabout Theater), Case of You (The Ruckus Theatre), 2nd Story (Serendipity Theatre Collective), My Future Ex-Boyfriend (Pavement Group), and Love, Valour and Technology (Live Bait’s Fillet of Solo). Cassy co-dramaturged for The Wooden Breeks, and Around the World in 80 Days at Lookinglass Theatre. Her short plays Lesson One and Chicago Summer premiered at The Steppenwolf Garage as part of the 7th and 8th Annual SKETCHBOOK Festivals with Collaboraction. At Collaboraction, Cassy served as Assistant Artistic Director for from 2007 - 2009. In February 2013, Cassy will direct BlackTop Sky for Theatre Seven as part of the Steppenwolf Garage Rep. Cassy holds a BFA in Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts.
Website: www.cassysanders.com
updated december 2012
Dan McArdle Performer
T7 Credits: Yes, This Really Happened to Me; Diversey Harbor; Lies & Liars; The Chicago Landmark Project (Stage Manager); Hunting and Gathering (Assistant Stage Manager); The Water Engine: An American Fable (Ensemble, Foley Artist)
Dan McArdle is a proud Theatre Seven of Chicago company member emeritus. T7 credits include stage managing Yes, This Really Happened to Me, Diversey Harbor, Lies & Liars and substitute stage managing single performances of Hunting and Gathering (1st preview) and The Chicago Landmark Project (closing night). Other artistic credits include writing/directing Time and Success Has A Thousand Fathers (Penny Dreadful Players). Dan is the Managing Director for The Neo-Futurists, a quintessential Chicago theatre ensemble in Andersonville. He is a graduate of the DePaul Theatre School’s MFA/Arts Leadership Program and also holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois. Dan previously served as Theatre Seven’s General Manager, and has held arts management positions with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse and the Penny Dreadful Players.
updated september 2012
George Zerante Performer
T7 Credits: Yes, This Really Happened to Me (Ensemble), The Water Engine (Ensemble), The Chicago Landmark Project (Bruck - 63rd & Woodlawn: Robust Coffee Lounge), We Live Here (Ensemble), In the Heart of America (Boxler)
George Zerante is a company member of Theatre Seven of Chicago. He graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Acting, where he acted in numerous productions. He now resides in his home town of Chicago, where he has acted both on stage and on camera. George is a presenter/educator with Catharsis Productions and travels the world performing Sex Signals.
updated september 2012
Travis Williams Performer
T7 Credits: Shikaakwa, The Water Engine (Actor)
updated september 2012
Jessica Thigpen Performer
T7 Credits: The Chicago Landmark Project (Kristin- Honore & Milwaukee), Mimesophobia (Woman Who Speaks), The Water Engine (Ensemble)
Jessica Thigpen's recent Chicago credits include Orpheus Descending (Shattered Globe), Gray Girl (Factory Theatre), the acclaimed Chicago premiere of Frost/Nixon (TimeLine Theatre), Theatre Uncut (Reclaim and MP Productions), as well as projects with Redmoon Theatre, and GreatWorks. Jessica is a member of Gray Talent and a graduate of The Conservatory at Act One.
updated september 2012
Alina Taber Performer
Alina Taber is a Theatre Seven Artistic Associate. She has appeared in The Chicago Landmark Project, and is a proud member of the Red Orchid Theatre Youth Ensemble. Her first production with Theatre Seven was The Water Engine: An American Fable. She participates in many school productions and play readings. She is thrilled to be a part of the Theatre Seven family.
T7 Credits: Shikaakwa: The Devil May Take You (Girl); The Chicago Landmark Project (Ensemble - Lincoln &Webster: Oz Park); The Water Engine (Ensemble)
updated october 2012
Cody Proctor Performer
T7 Credits: The Water Engine: An American Fable (Ensemble), We Live Here (Doug, Ensemble)
Cody Proctor has worked with Red Tape, Lifeline Theatre, Infamous Commonwealth, Redmoon Theatre, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and will soon be in Crowded House with The State Theatre. Cody recently finished filming a TV miniseries set to air on Discovery 3Net about the Civil War.
Website: www.codyproctor.com
updated september 2012
Lindsey Pearlman Performer
T7 Credits: The Water Engine: An American Fable (Ensemble)
Lindsey has worked with Mary-Arrchie Theatre, Ouroboros Theatre Company, The Gift Theatre Company, Theater Wit (Two For The Show, Jeff Nomination for Best New Musical/After Dark Award for Best New Musical), Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Northlight, and others. She also tours the U.S. with Sex Signals, a play that uses improv and sketch comedy to address the difficult topic of sexual assault. Lindsey is a proud graduate of Second City's Conservatory Program, which was followed by a summer teaching improv in New Orleans. Commercial credits include Marriott, CVS Pharmacy, Boeing Airlines, Pepsi, and the American Dental Association.
updated september 2012
Brett Lee Performer
T7 Credits: Diversey Harbor (James- Understudy), The Water Engine: An American Fable (Ensemble)
Brett Lee hails from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He has been performing in Chicago for three and a half years. In the Summer of 2009, Brett performed in SiNNERMAN's Days of Late, and (a)Symmetry Cycle’s Numbfeel.
updated october 2012
John Wilson Scenic Designer
T7 Credits: Exit, Pursued By A Bear, Killing Women, Mimesophobia, The Water Engine (Scenic Design)
John Wilson's most recent designs are Sketchbook 12 (Collaboraction) the Theatre on the Lake remount of Sweet Confinement (Sinnerman) Ren Faire! A Fistfull of Ducats (Factory) and The Life of Death (WildClaw). John is a company member with Collaboraction and The Mammals, a teacher with Steppenwolf, American Theater Company, and Lifeline. He is also a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf.
updated september 2012
Justin Wardell Lighting Designer
T7 Credits: American Storm, ls Chicago, Killing Women, Cooperstown, Boys & Girls, Diversey Harbor, Lies and Liars, The Water Engine: An American Fable, The Chicago Landmark Project (Lighting Design); Yes, This Really Happened to Me, Election Day, The Sand Castle (Lighting Design & Technical Director)
Justin Wardell is a company member at Theatre Seven and is a member of 7P, Theatre Seven's Literary Circle. Justin has been designing lighting for theatre, dance, and special events for over 10 years. He has had the opportunity to work in many Chicago Landmarks, including the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Union Station, and many more. Justin was an early addition to Theatre Seven of Chicago, and has been the resident lighting designer since its inception. In his role as an Account Executive for Intelligent Lighting Creations, Justin now has the opportunity to design lighting for trade shows, galas, corporate events, and permanent installations. In addition to design work, Justin has had the honor of guest-lecturing on lighting design and lighting technology for several colleges, universities, and professional organizations. Other theatrical credits include work at the Springfield Municipal Opera, the Building Stage, Flamenco Sin Limites, Porchlight Music Theatre, and many other talented companies.
updated september 2012
Brenda Winstead Costume Designer
T7 Credits: BlackTop Sky, American Storm, Killing Women, The Water Engine, Boys & Girls, The Sand Castle, Diversey Harbor, Cooperstown, Hunting & Gathering, We Live Here, In the Heart of America, Exit, Pursued by a Bear (Costume Designer), The Chicago Landmark Project (Supervising Costume Designer)
Brenda Winstead loves Theatre Seven! She is a company member with T7 and has designed numerous shows there. Other Chicago area design credits include Making God Laugh, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Man of La Mancha, Crazy for You, Leading Ladies, The Producers, Hello Dolly and Fiddler on the Roof (Theatre at the Center); Ragtime (Drury Lane); It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play (Noble Fool); Kingsville (Stage Left); and The Price (Shattered Globe). Regional Credits include Born Yesterday, Rumors and Mousetrap (Peninsula Players); All Shook Up, High School Musical (Forestburgh Playhouse). Brenda holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut.
updated october 2012
Mike Przygoda Sound Designer
T7 Credits: The Water Engine: An American Fable (Sound Designer)
Mike Przygoda is a freelance composer and multi-instrumentalist. As a composer he has written an opera, several musicals, numerous chamber works (that include performances at Orchestra Hall), rock and jazz songs, and reguarly writes music for dance classes at the Joffrey Ballet and Columbia College. As a multi-instrumentalist he has contributed to performances by many ensembles from classical to rock to hip hop to country to "other" across the United States in both live and recorded situations.
updated september 2012
Jeri Frederickson Stage Manager
T7 Credits: The Water Engine: An American Fable, The Chicago Landmark Project (Stage Manager)
Jeri Frederickson is a Stage Manager and Production Manager in and around the Chicago area. She has worked with Lookingglass Theatre, First Folio, Barrington Stage Company, Theatre Seven of Chicago and she is one of the newest company members at Seanachai Theatre Company.
updated september 2012
"…a beautifully nuanced production by Theatre Seven of Chicago"
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Theatre Seven took on a feat of virtuosity when they mounted this play-within-a-radio-play, with 10 actors taking on 40 roles, in a exploration of a Depression Era inventor’s quest to implement his creation, an engine that runs on pure water. The cast impressed with its uncommon professionalism, working together “like a well-oiled machine,” and Director Brian Golden “effectively blends radio-style performance with more animated action in imaginative ways.” Leah A. Zeldes called the production “beautifully nuanced” and while Mamet’s plot “is stridently black and white, it’s also edge-of-the-seat suspenseful . . .
Set in Chicago in 1934, David Mamet's rarely mounted 1977 drama, The Water Engine: An American Fable, currently in a beautifully nuanced production by Theatre Seven, takes us back in time to the Century of Progress World’s Fair. Charles Lang, a punch-press operator in a factory by day, dreamy inventor by night, has created an engine that runs on pure water. He dreams it will put an end to factories and bring him a peaceful life in the country with his unworldly sister.
Chicago history buffs, alternate-history fans and anyone who enjoys great, intimate theater should take this show in. While it’s set too late to be steampunk, this arguably science-fictional play has a similar feel. Brenda Windstead’s 1930s costumes and John Wilson’s sound-stage set transport us to another time, one that almost-but-not-quite existed.
But "autres temps, autres moeurs" does not apply here. In fact, it’s business very much as usual. In his effort to patent his invention, Lang runs afoul of a scheming shyster who tries to sell him and his creation into nefarious corporate hands. I don’t doubt that many would-be world-shaking discoveries meet similar fates today.
Although the plot is stridently black and white, it’s also edge-of-the-seat suspenseful, and Mamet brings in all sorts of fascinating sidelines, such as a recurring theme about a chain letter, period-style advertising and the world’s fair itself. The action cris-crosses Chicago, from the fairgrounds to still-extant spots such as the Aragon Ballroom and Bughouse Square.
Mamet originally wrote this short script, which runs about 80 minutes without intermission, as a radio play, and Director Brian Golden’s exciting staging effectively blends radio-style performance with more animated action in imaginative ways. His cast includes Theatre Seven company members Dan McArdle, Cassy Sanders, Brian Stojak and George Zerante, as well as Brett Lee, Lindsey Pearlman, Cody Proctor,Alina Tabor, Jessica Thigpen and Travis Williams.
Each cast member plays multiple roles in this play within a radio play. In fact, the 10 cast members portray over 40 parts, skillfully depicting radio actors, principals in the radio play and random Chicagoans in wonderful character sketches.
In the longest role, Proctor plays Lang with well-executed, nervous nerdiness. Zerante smarms as the crooked lawyer, and Williams menaces as the corporation muscle. Pearlman delightfully segues from refined actress to ranging street-corner orator to gruff storekeeper. Newcomer Tabor adds wide-eyed youthful charm.
The whole ensemble works together like a well-oiled machine.