The Sweeter Option
Strawdog celebrates our 100th production with a World Premiere by Ensemble Member John Henry Roberts. A low-rent investigator named Tucker tracks a stolen rent-a-car and stumbles neck-deep into an embezzlement scheme gone sour. There’s enough cash up for grabs to finance a whole new life, but the only way to it is through Irene Pike, a suburban housewife who is clearly more than she lets on. But what, exactly? A fast-paced and darkly funny psychological thriller set in 1971 Chicagoland, directed by Lookingglass Theatre’s Marti Lyons, who helmed Haven Theatre’s hit production of Seminar and The Gift Theatre’s Mine.
“The Sweeter Option … will be thrilling to all. At 80 minutes with no intermission the production flies by …”
— Chicago Stage Standard
“Strawdog’s 100th production is a fun, sexy noir ride …”
— Time Out Chicago
“… grabs our attention and keeps us riveted in anticipation of each sudden reversal.”
— Windy City Times
“Playwright John Henry Roberts instantly hooks me to his pulpy noir. And for the next tight eighty minutes, he reels me in hook, line and sinker. … razor-sharp dialogue … Lyons masterfully keeps the story edgy and stylized … The Sweeter Option is riveting from lights up and way past black out. If I had to sum up the experience in one word, I’d go with “Whoa!””
— The Fourth Walsh
Cast
Matt Farrabee
as Cyril
Rudy Galvan
as Pete
Sam Guinan-Nyhart
as Tucker
Michaela Petro*
as Irene
Sarah Price
as Joy
Emily Tate
as Carolyn
Jamie Vann*
as Mac
Jonathan Beal
as u/s Tucker and Mac
Matthew Dealy
as u/s Pete and Cyril
Amy Geist
as u/s Irene and Carolyn
Jill Karrenbrock
as u/s Joy
Creative Team
John Henry Roberts*
Author
Marti Lyons
Director
Cody Spellman
Assistant Director
Joanna Iwanicka
Set Design
Jordan Kardasz*
Light Design
Kristy Hall
Costume Design
Amanda Herrmann
Props Design
Heath Hays*
Sound Design
Ryan Borque
Fight Choreographer
Carmine Grisolia*
Technical Direction
Joseph E. M. Pindelski
Dramaturge
Lindsey Miller
Stage Manager
Kristof Janezic
Master Electrician
Ellen Willett
Production Manager
* Strawdog Theatre ensemble member