Saint Sebastian Players are
Turning 20
BY JONATHAN ABARBANEL
Saint Sebastian Players was launched by two parishioners with a production of Godspell in 1982. The church-sponsored community theatre quickly became part of parish life during a decade of renewal. But St. Sebastian’s was closed in 1990 following a disastrous church fire. The theatre troupe, however, went independent and has flourished as part of the off-Loop Theatre scene, finding a home at St. Bonaventure Church. Saint Sebastian Players now is a resident company with a core membership of about 30 actors, directors, designers, technicians and administrators, although "outsiders" are welcomed as needed. Artistic leadership is collective.
Saint Sebastian Players occasionally offers a world premiere, but the meat-and-potatoes of its four-play season are familiar 20th century comedies, light dramas, and musicals. The company also produces an annual Monologue Match-up for actors, a type of competitive audition before representatives from the Apple Tree, Goodman, Pegasus Players, Ulysses and Victory Gardens theatres, among others, offering a range of professional prizes (such as discounted classes). This year’s Match-up is slated for October 23. Call 773/404-7922 for details. The 20th Anniversary season concludes October 19-November 11 with a revival of the troupe’s most popular production, Elvicula, an original rock 'n’ roll horror musical by company member Jonathan Hagloch.
PerformInk 2001
