Your Chicago Guide’s tickets for two to the press viewing of American Psycho: The Musical courtesy of Kokandy Productions.
It’s spooky season! And it is high time to spend and evening with Patrick Bateman. Indulge in ‘80s excess and pure, decadent pleasure as Kokandy Productions concludes its 2023 season with the Chicago premiere of American Psycho: The Musical. Directed by Producing Artistic Director Derek Van Barham, with music direction by Heidi Joosten and choreography by Breon Arzell, this excellent production has landed at The Chopin Studio Theatre just in time for Halloween. The space is dressed to kill for this carnal carnival of song and dance. And the audience will feel like part of the action.
The cast is anchored by Kyle Patrick as Patrick Bateman, the stylish and sadistic center of American Psycho. Mr. Patrick is a triple threat, and channels the cult classic flawlessly. He is supported by an excellent cast of characters, portraying the world of executives, fashionistas, waiters, bartenders, club kids, trainers, and neighbors that frequent the tables at Dorsia, the dance floor at Tunnel and the late-night streets of NYC.
American Psycho is a ruthless and daring musical from Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale, The Picture of Dorian Gray). Based on the electrifying novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the musical tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and handsome Wall Street banker with impeccable taste and unquenchable desires. Patrick and his elite group of friends spend their days in chic restaurants, exclusive clubs and designer labels. But at night, Patrick takes part in a darker indulgence, and his mask of sanity is starting to slip.
Director Derek Van Barham says: “American Psycho is slick and sexy. It’s also highly disturbing and sickeningly upbeat, so… let’s get into it! Set against a backdrop of cinematic ‘80s excess, the show fills our ears with a throbbing EDM-fueled sound unlike any musical I’ve heard before. It’s horror, it’s satire, it goes for the guts and gets into your head. And it’s all tinged with that David Lynchian unease of ‘What is actually happening?’ Extending that question of uncertainty into the live experience, we’re playing with what we show vs. what we don’t show, what you see vs. what you think you saw. A lot is going to be left up to the audience, and I can’t wait to have those conversations.”
Kokandy Productions American Psycho: The Musical is currently on stage through November 26th, 2023. It is hosted by The Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 West Division Street, in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are now on sale at bit.ly/AmericanPsychoChicago.