Fillet of Solo Festival topics cover a lot of ground
July 20, 2011 4:58PM
Julie Ganey wrote and stars in her ode to Rogers Park, “Love Thy Neighbor ... Till It Hurts.”
FILLET OF SOLO FESTIVAL
Through Aug. 7
Tickets, $10; festival pass, $30
Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood; Heartland Studio Theatre, 7016 N. Glenwood; Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse
For a complete schedule and show times, call (773) 761-4477;
lifelinetheatre.com
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Updated: October 20, 2011 12:26AM
Julie Ganey felt an unexpected pressure when she began writing “Love Thy Neighbor ... Till It Hurts,” a solo piece that offers observations about her Rogers Park neighborhood, where she has lived for the last 12 years.
“It was daunting at first,” Ganey explained. “I felt the need to write the definitive piece about Rogers Park, and it became overwhelming and unwieldy until I realized I had to tell my story, my journey in a way that it will have value for others.”
Ganey lives in a single-family home next to an 18-unit apartment building. There have been lots of opportunities to interact with her many neighbors.
“It’s a very unique place and challenges me,” Ganey said. “I’ve struggled with the questions: Who are we responsible for? What makes a good neighbor? What can you control and what can’t you control?”
Ganey, a member of 2nd Story, a storytelling collective, has for many years worked as an actress at local theaters. Solo work offers her something different.
“I feel connected to the audience in a new way,” she said. “There a commitment and trust between performer and audience that is palpable and immediate.”
† “Love Thy Neighbor ... Till It Hurts” will be performed July 31 and Aug. 5 at Lifeline Theatre.
The Fillet of Solo Festival also features:
“Expect Detours”: Two storytellers, Kim Morris and Scott Whitehair, explore the resilience of the human spirit and the process of learning life’s lessons. July 23-Aug. 4 at Heartland Studio Theatre.
“Ferocious Love” and “We’ve Got a Badge for That”: Deb R. Lewis serves up ferocious love stories. Kelli Strickland offers stories from time spent in the Girl Scouts. Aug. 4-6 at Heartland Studio Theatre.
“Free Beer”: Stories from the Generation Y gang that makes up the Lifeline Storytelling Project. July 22-Aug. 5 at Heartland Studio Theatre.
“Holy Sweat!”: The Sweat Girls dig into their collective psyche for tales of loss and resurrection. July 23-Aug. 6 at Lifeline Theatre.
“Life in a Marital Institution”: New York performer James Braly’s darkly humorous autobiographical comedy explores marriage, infidelity and other high-stakes adventures. Aug. 7 at Mayne Stage. (Tickets for this show are $20.)
“The Man Who Never Was, or the Man of Your Choice”: Eric Warner teaches us about masculinity. July 22-31 at Heartland Studio Theatre.
“Must Be Nice”: Cranky Second City alumnus Jimmy Doyle brings home his experience living in Hollywood. July 23-Aug. 6 at Lifeline Theatre.
“Two Good Stories”: Matt Miller recounts a very, very bad day in New York City. The second story is a surprise. July 24-Aug. 6 at Heartland Studio Theatre.
“You Only Shoot the Ones You Love”: Playwright Jeffrey Sweet looks back on 30 years of dealing with Del Close, Paul Sills and the pioneers of Chicago improv. July 22-29 at Lifeline Theatre.
Mary Houlihan
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