This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

The Gift Theatre Presents "Topdog/Underdog," Sept. 12 - Oct. 20

This Darkly Comedic Tale of Two Brothers is Directed by Shanésia Davis and Stars Gift Ensemble Members Martel Manning and Gregory Fenner

(L to R) Gregory Fenner as “Lincoln” and Martel Manning as “Booth”
(L to R) Gregory Fenner as “Lincoln” and Martel Manning as “Booth” (Photo by Joe Mazza | Brave Lux )

CHICAGO – The Gift Theatre, is proud to present Topdog/Underdog, written by Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Shanésia Davis, September 12 - October 20, at Filament Theater, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave.

This darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity tells the story of two brothers, Lincoln and Booth, names given to them as a joke by their father. Haunted by the past and their obsession with the street con game, “three-card monte,” the brothers come to learn the true nature of their history.

The schedule includes preview performances on Thursday, Sept. 12 - Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 19 - Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Sunday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. The regular performance schedule is Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. There will be an audio described performance on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and an understudy performance Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at TheGiftTheatre.org and start at $35 for general admission with $15 tickets for students and $20 for veterans.

Find out what's happening in Chicagowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The cast of Topdog/Underdog includes Martel Manning* (he/him, Lincoln); Gregory Fenner* (he/him, Booth); Stewart Romero (pronouns, U/S Lincoln); and Jermaine Jenkins (pronouns, U/S Booth).

The production team includes Shanésia Davis (She/her, director). Full production team will be announced at a later date.

Find out what's happening in Chicagowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

*Connoted The Gift Theatre ensemble members

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?