Janus Theatre's 'King of Shadows' gets high praise
The Janus Theatre Company opened the Chicago-area premiere of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's "King of Shadows" to positive reviews last weekend.
The play runs through Sunday, Nov. 22, at the Elgin Art Showcase inside the Professional Building, 164 Division St., eighth floor, in downtown Elgin.
The production will be 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased at www.janusplays.com or www.kingofshadows.eventbrite.com.
The Elgin Review praised Janus Theatre's production for providing "an intimate theater experience, with superb production and great acting." To read the full review penned by Jeff Pierce, visit theelginreview.blogspot.com
The review from Pahl's Pen highlighted the "impassioned performances by a vigorous, youthful ensemble" which drives the action of the play. The full review is currently online at www.janusplays.com.
Both reviews cited a strong story that mixes elements of the supernatural with a mystery that is supported by excellent lighting, sound, and artistic elements.
The "King of Shadows" is a thriller loosely inspired by "A Midsummer Night's Dream," where a 15-year-old runaway named Nihar is living on the streets, hustling to survive. When he meets a well-intentioned (and well-off) graduate student named Jessica, he tells her an unbelievable story - there is a mythical world beneath our world, ruled by the King of Shadows. Nihar claims the terrifying, demonlike creature is hunting San Francisco's homeless population, trying to find him. Can Jessica protect Nihar? Will she? And could the boy somehow … possibly … be telling the truth? The answers in this unsettling play have frightening repercussions for both Jessica and Nihar, as well as for Jessica's boyfriend, Eric, and her sister, Sarah.
"King of Shadows" is directed by artistic director Sean Hargadon with stage manager Tara Schuman, design elements by Bobby Roland, and technical elements by Rob Switzer. The cast includes Jaime Patriarca of Chicago, Christopher Sylvie of Lombard, Melody Jefferies of Carol Stream and Joe Cattoggio of Chicago.
To learn more about King of Shadows and purchase tickets, go to www.janusplays.com. Or purchase tickets directly at www.kingofshadows.eventbrite.com.
The Janus Theatre Company is sponsored, in part, by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, City of Elgin and the Elgin Art Showcase.