Your Chicago Guide’s tickets for two to the press viewing of brother sister cyborg space courtesy of Raven Theatre.
In the too-close-for-comfort future, an environmental justice organizer named Giselle and her billionaire baby brother Elon are (unsurprisingly) at odds. She believes the earth and her people are worth saving; he marvels at the potential in starting over somewhere new. Meanwhile, his virtual assistant Ava has some very nuanced opinions of her own. (Who programmed her to talk so much?!) Set against the backdrop of a rapidly-accelerating climate crisis, brother sister cyborg space explores political divisions within families, an expanding definition of humanity and what we’ll do when time runs out.
Starring Matt Bowdren as “Elon,” Brittney Brown as his sister “Giselle,” and Charence Higgins as the voice of AI virtual assistant “Ava,” the production marks the second show in Raven’s 41st season. Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Through its plays, as well as its educational programming, Raven is committed to serving our communities’ needs through the arts.
Terry Guest, an acclaimed director, brings his extensive experience and artistic vision to this groundbreaking production. As a three-time Jeff Award winner, Terry’s contributions to the theater world have been recognized and celebrated. His passion for storytelling and ability to create deeply engaging theatrical experiences have garnered him critical acclaim.
“Collaborating with Raven Theatre and Paul Michael Thomson on the world premiere of this funny, frightening, and ferocious play is an honor,” said director Terry Guest. “Paul’s writing is both highly theatrical and incredibly grounded, and I cannot wait for Chicago to take a peek inside his mind.”
“With Terry Guest at the helm of brother sister cyborg space, audiences are in for something special in this world premiere work, and we eagerly anticipate the magic he will bring to this one-of-a-kind production,” said Raven Theatre’s Artistic Director, Sarah Slight. “The play asks audiences to examine two of the biggest challenges facing our society today–the impending climate crisis and artificial intelligence–and promises to take them on a thrilling journey into the unknown.”
“To be commissioned to write a play for a theatre of Raven’s caliber is an honor; to get to see that commission come to life as a world-premiere production directed by one of the greatest directors working in Chicago is the gift of a lifetime,” said brother sister cyborg space playwright Paul Michael Thomson. “Led by Terry Guest, the dynamic cast of Matt Bowdren, Brittney Brown, and Charence Higgins gets to ask many of the questions we are all dealing with today: Who gets to define humanity during the climate crisis? How do we stay in relationship with family members when our politics are so out of alignment? And what will we do when our time runs out?”
brother sister cyborg space runs through March 17th, 2024, on the Johnson Stage at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark Street, in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Tickets are available at www.raventheatre.com.