“TRUST AND CONFIDENCE: A SECRET SERVICE MUSICAL” PREVIEWS JUNE 13 AND 20 AND OPENS JUNE 27 AT ANNOYANCE THEATRE

“TRUST AND CONFIDENCE: A SECRET SERVICE MUSICAL” PREVIEWS JUNE 13 AND 20 AND OPENS JUNE 27 AT ANNOYANCE THEATRE
Musical Comedy Explores Quirky Mix of Agents’ Uniformity And Uniqueness

“Trust and Confidence: A Secret Service Musical,” is a new comedy that unveils the hush-hush world of agents charged with protecting the President of the United States. It previews Thursday, June 13 and 20, and opens June 27, 2013 at the Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Created and directed by Julie Pearson, the show presents a day in the life of a group of Secret Service agents as they stand guard at parade entrances and study crowds for suspicious faces, while at the same time, trying to appear invisible. In the play, which was developed by the cast through improv, the word “Secret” not only applies to the job, but also to the bizarre hidden stories each agent carries within.

The original music for “Trust...” was written by Charlie Worth with song concepts and lyrics contributed by the cast. Along with this show, Worth has been musical director for several Annoyance productions, including “My So-Called Afterlife.”

Pearson promises, “This team has a bunch of secrets of their own, including a spicy bromance, delusions of grandeur, and a sensual lust for murder. But they’ll spend all day trying to prove that they are, as the Secret Service’s official motto says, ‘Worthy of Trust and Confidence.’”

Cast members, who will be clad in the somber suits, sunglasses, and earpieces of Secret Service agents are: Marc D'Amico (“Closing Time” at the Annoyance), Brian Biancardi, David Blum,  Leah Frires (“My So-Called Afterlife” and “Burlesque is More”), Jillian Mueller, Jeff Quintana, and Elizabeth Trepkowski.

“I think it’s funny to explore a profession so serious, diligent, and detail-oriented, especially using the broad strokes of musical comedy,” Pearson added. “Yet, with all of the rigidity required of the job, we found it important to make the characters come alive as individuals with their own plights and passions.”

“Trust and Confidence: A Secret Service Musical”  previews Thursday, June 13 and 20 and opens June 27, 2013, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, view the Annoyance website, www.annoyanceproductions.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. 60640.


CONTACT: JENNIFER ESTLIN
P: 773.561.4664
F: 773.561.3999
jennifer@annoyanceproductions.com

"THE AWKWARD PHASE", FINALIST IN GREAT TUMBLR BOOK SEARCH PREMIERES FOR ONE NIGHT AT ANNOYANCE THEATRE

Storytelling Will Reveal Teen Traumas And Celebrate Uniqueness

"The Awkward Phase," a night of storytelling featuring eight performers who will reveal their most embarrassing episodes and gawky feelings, and who will encourage audience members to embrace their different-ness, plays one night only, Monday, May 13, 8:00 p.m. at The Annoyance Theatre.

Created by Claire Meyer and Tyler Gillespie, "The Awkward Phase" features performers who have made a name for themselves in other venues. They are: Brianna Baker ("The TomKat Project"), Caitlin Bergh ("Chunks"), Tim "TinTim" Jones-Yelvingtion (author and drag queen), Wes Perry ("Making Out with Wes Perry and Friends"), Patrick Rowland ("Barack All Night"), Shaun Sperling (featured on BuzzFeed LGBT and Gawker.com ), and Ted Tremper ("25 People Who Should Get Their Own TV Show"). Additionally, one volunteer will be chosen from the audience to perform.

"The 'braces- and-scrunchy' night is dedicated to making our 14-year-old-selves proud," said Meyer, of the improv troupe Lethal Action Force. "It's important to share our stories with others; a way to connect and learn from one another. Feeling awkward is universal; even though, at the time, it can be a very lonely experience."

Gillespie, who is a writer for "Gapers Block" and "Time Out Chicago," added, "We're often too hard on our former selves. We're conditioned to hate the times in our life when we weren't 'all that,' when we've felt pressured to be like everyone else. But, what if we were having fun and living in that moment? In our mind, it's about time to celebrate these awkward phases and gain peace."

"The Awkward Phase" was recently chosen as a runner-up in Chronicle Books "Great Tumblr Book Search." The production at the Annoyance is the first on-stage, live performance of stories generated by the photo- and essay-sharing website. "We've included a mix of performers," Gillespie said. "Authors, comedians, and storytellers; and we hope future performances will mix in hairstylists, tattoo artists, and an opera singer. I really want an opera singer."

"The Awkward Phase" plays one night only, Monday 13, 2013, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $7. For more information, view the Annoyance website www.theannoyance.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. 60640.

CONTACT: JENNIFER ESTLIN

P: 773.561.4664

F: 77s.561.3999

jennifer@annoyanceproductions.com 

Postpartum Disorders Author Susan Benjamin Feingold and Storyteller Nili Yelin at Book Cellar May 24

Susan Benjamin Feingold, PsyD., author of “Happy Endings, New Beginnings: Navigating Postpartum Disorders,” will appear at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Friday, May 24, 2013, 7 p.m. Joining the author will be Nili Yelin, an award-winning children’s storyteller who will read a true-life account by a patient who emerged from “postpartum darkness” changed forever.

At the reading and signing event, Dr. Feingold will discuss the condition which affects 800,000 to 900,000 Americans each year.  “It’s the major reason some women are unable to find joy in becoming a mother,” she said. “But personal transformation can often follow our darkest times. This difficult experience is the ultimate challenge for change.”

Storyteller Yelin will be part of the program, Dr. Feingold said, “because I think it vital to share true stories of women who have emerged from postpartum disorders and who have learned to take control of their new lives.” While “Happy Endings, New Beginnings” includes many of these stories, Dr. Feingold said the appearance of Yelin, and her interpretation of the patient’s story, “will add interest and truth to the event.”

“Anna’s Story,” which Yelin will read, “is likely to be familiar to many women,” Dr. Feingold said. “She was successful and so busy that she never experienced the joy of the present moment. As we worked to reduce her symptoms of depression, anxiety, and sadness, we concentrated on ways to strike a balance in her life between work, family, and leisure.”

For her part, Yelin, who is known as The Storybook Mom, and is also Program Director of Terrific Tales, a literacy program for Companies That Care, said, “Anna’s story resonated with me. I experienced postpartum depression in my own life and I have workaholic tendencies. Her story is particularly meaningful.”

Dr. Feingold is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders. In addition to her book, which was published by New Horizon Press in February of this year, she also writes a blog: www.post-partumdepressionblog.com.

For more information about the reading and signing, call The Book Cellar at 773-294-2665, or go to its website, thebookcellar.com.

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