Chicago Opera Vanguard makes Opera during Economic Crisis - By Taking it to the People

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How does a young theater company produce a punk opera during an economic recession? Graffiti! by visiting www.chicagovanguard.org, anyone can become an opera patron – and defile an opera set at the same time.

For as little as $1, COV invites anyone and everyone to tag the GREEK Graffiti Wall. Each dollar purchases a 4x4 pixel on the virtual wall, each pixel can be filled with any upload-able image, and every image on the wall will be incorporated the final backdrop and video display of the production. Plus, every dollar contributed to Chicago Opera Vanguard’s production of GREEK constitutes a chance to win an exclusive VIP opening night package, including hotel, dinner and admission to the production.

Chicago Opera Vanguard - the city’s new home for cutting edge musical theater – continues its inaugural Season Ø with the Chicago premier of GREEK by Chicago Symphony Orchestra Mead Composer in Residence Mark-Anthony Turnage.

GREEK sets the ancient Oedipus myth in the economically depressed Britain of the 1980’s, where becoming a violent punk is a working class kid’s means of survival. Thatcher’s London is afflicted by a plague of racism, violence and mass unemployment. The city is overrun with violent policemen, old drunks and football hooligans. Based on Steven Berkoff’s play by the same title, GREEK was an immediate success at its 1988 Munich Biennale premiere.

GREEK performs 8PM Tuesday May 26 [preview], Thursday May 28, Saturday May 30, Wednesday June 3, Friday June 5 and Saturday June 6, at the AV-Aerie, 2000 W. Fulton St. Admission is by reservation only. Suggested General Admission is a donation of $35 Wednesday & Thursday; $40 Friday & Saturday; $20 preview. Suggested Student Admission is a donation of $10 Thursday & Sunday; $15 Friday & Saturday; $5 preview. Tickets are available online at www.chicagovanguard.org.

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