Fail/Safe
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY EUGENE BURDICK & HARVEY WHEELER
ADAPTED BY ANDERSON LAWFER & NIKKI KLIX
DIRECTED BY ANDERSON LAWFER
Sep 14, 2014–Oct 14, 2014
Hugen Hall
3829 N. Broadway
A systems failure threatens to trigger World War III in this Cold War thriller, adapted from the book that inspired the acclaimed 1964 film. As time runs out, The President of the United States and his advisors scramble to find a strategy that will save the planet from total annihilation.
“Fail/Safe will grab you—whatever your age or background—and pull you to the edge of your seat…”
— Splash Magazine
“It’s a brainy affair, and a seat-gripping one … Tom Hickey does some particularly fantastic work as the President forced to weigh American lives against nuclear holocaust, as does Conor Burke as a young Russian translator … The production also represents a step forward for Hugen Hall, which has become a noteworthy hub of entertaining and community-driven late night shows and alternative works. With Fail/Safe, Lawfer reminds us how versatile it can be—the intimate space amplifies impactful, white-hot drama.”
— Time Out Chicago
Cast
Brian Amidei
as Groeteschele
Conor Burke
as Buck
Carmine Grisolia*
as Black
Jim Heatherly
as Swenson
Tom Hickey
as President
Joe Mack
as Raskob
Mark Pracht
as Bogan
Stuart Ritter
as Cascio
Lee Russell
as Knapp
Dave Skvarla
as Stark
Creative Team
Nicole Bloomsmith*
Adaptor
Anderson Lawfer*
Director/Adaptor
Mike Mroch
Set Design
Jordan Kardasz*
Light Design
Kyle Hamman*
Video Design
Delia Ridenour
Costume Design
Heath Hays*
Sound Design
Elizabeth Lovelady
Dramaturge
Hilary Surface
Stage Manager
Rebecca Grossman
Production Manager
* Strawdog Theatre ensemble member