vex news 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

"THE DESIGNATED MOURNER" OPENS JUNE 4

April 21, 2005

Chicago, IL - Vex Theatre Company announces the opening of the play "The Designated Mourner" by Wallace Shawn. The play will be performed June 4, 5, 10, and 11 at Crossroads Theater, 22 E. Chicago Avenue in downtown
Naperville.

"The Designated Mourner" is a dark tale of love, politics, and the value of art in dangerous times. The playwright, Wallace Shawn, was described by Salon magazine as "one of the most creative and confrontational American playwrights of our time." Shawn is well known for such plays as "Aunt Dan and Lemon" and "The Fever," as well as the movie "My Dinner with Andre." Like much of Shawn's work, "The Designated Mourner" is by turns funny,
moving, and disturbing. 

"The Designated Mourner" tells the story of three people: Howard, a famous poet, intellectual, and political dissident; Judy, his quiet and loyal daughter; and Jack, his son-in-law, who never quite fit in with the privileged class to which Howard and Judy belong. As the government begins to crack down even on quiet dissenters like Judy and Howard, the issue of what sort of books people like to read and how they choose to amuse themselves becomes unexpectedly entangled with questions of survival. 

Performance dates:
Saturday, June 4, 8 pm
Sunday, June 5, 4 pm
Friday, June 10, 8 pm
Saturday, June 11, 8 pm
Location: 22 E. Chicago Avenue, Naperville, Illinois
Ticket Price: $15
Box Office: 630-428-4730

CAST: Daniel J. Dudych, Harold LeBoyer, Cathleen Ann
CREW: Richard Geiger, director

PHOTOS FROM THIS PRODUCTION ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT WWW.VEXTHEATRE.ORG (or via request)

About Vex Theatre Company
Vex Theatre Company is an itinerant professional theatre company producing in the suburbs of Chicago. Vex was incorporated in 2004 by Palatine residents Cathleen Ann and Rich Geiger, and Michael Rios of Oswego.

NEXT AT VEX!
Vex's inaugural year continues this September with two shows by David Mamet, performed in rotating rep. "American Buffalo" and "Boston Marriage" will be performed September 16 - 25, 2005 at Crossroads Theater in Naperville. See the all-male cast of "American Buffalo" and the all-female cast of "Boston Marriage" in an event we like to call "Mamet Pink and Blue." Make a note on your calendars and look for more details in the coming months!