Debra Silverstein has been a lightning rod for criticism for her support of Israel and campaigns against antisemitism. See all my Chicago Magazine interviews here.
Reading of new comedy, The Pardoned, at Red Theater in Chicago Oct. 27
In person, at its monthly Readings at Red series.
At 7 PM at the Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 Bryn Mawr, the Kenmore Street side entrance.
About The Pardoned: A Punk-Rock Evolution:
Timely, reflecting current headlines of J.D. Vance’s former friends from back in the day being mystified of where he went wrong — with him now sacrificing his cool for the superior commodity of power.
This comedy explores the explosive effect on a group of old friends from the ‘90s underground Chicago music scene, when the former center of their world, Brad, sells out to be a MAGA operative. His close artist friend Madge, the main character, struggles to make sense of this puzzling evolution, stay loyal to Brad, and preserve his lucrative advertising connections, such as using her old Riot Grrrl street cred to sell hormone pills to aging Gen X Women via Madison Avenue.
Nothing has more rules than punk rock, and Brad is breaking every one of them.
Zoom reading of new comedy on June 24 at 7 pm CST
The Pardoned: A Punk-Rock Evolution, directed by Iris Sowlat. To be read as a part of Chicago Dramatists’ First Draft online series.
Starring Chloe Gracias, Erik Schiller, Matt Walsh, & Matt Schutz
If before that, emall Paula for link. If after, email Paula for recording.
Interview of Micki from Jane (and actor playing her)
Podcast interviewing the real Marie Leaner, 83, aka Micki in the play, the only Black member of Jane, and legal team representative for Bobby Seale during the 1969 Chicago Conspiracy Trial.
With my interview monologues from Jane play performed by actor Cat Evans, from 2013 Jeff-nominated production, playing Micki. On the Patreon page of Venus Theater Company, which will publish the two monologues in an anthology later this year.
Jane monologues to be published in anthology later in 2024
Two monologues of Micki, a Jane member who also was on legal staff for the Chicago Conspiracy Trial, will be featured in Frozen Women: Flowing Thoughts. Published by the Venus Theatre company, the longest-running regional feminist theater company in the the U.S. Jane had readings with Venus in Dc in 2005 and 2006.
Chicago Jane production nominated for 2024 Jeff award
Summary of rave reviews of Jane production in Chicago fall 2023
Jane play profiled in Forward
A nice summary of a 30-year odyssey.
Chicago Reader calls Jane "gripping"
Jane reviewed by Katie Powers in Chicago Reader
Virtual panel on memoir writing with chronic stuff August 16
Sponsored by Nicole Zelniker and Knee Brace Press. At 7 pm central time. See event signup.
With Paula, authors Mugabi Byenkya (joining in from Kampala!) and Teona Studemire
Jane coming to Chicago in fall
Jane play to have full production at gjd Idle Muse Theatre at the Edge Theater in Chicago, September 16 to October 15. More info to come…..
New play Dionne's House a 2022 O'Neill finalist & Ranks highly as comedy in Hollywood competition
Dionne’s House now has a project page on Coverfly, the result of making the first cut in the ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition, ranking in the top tier of comedies submitted.
First post-Roe production of Jane in state with near-total abortion ban on Jan. 29
Village Repertory Company presents a reading to benefit Planned Parenthood and South Carolina WREN (Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network). Directed by Keely Enright at the Charleston Music Farm.
Jane play full production at UCLA December 3
Two performances at the Northwest Auditorium at 1 and 7 pm. See Instagram for more details about Color Box student production company and directed by Kennedy Harris. Co-producer Janelle Soriano wrote Paula about her experience with the play: “It’s amazing how much your play has truly opened the eyes of everyone who is involved to the ongoing social narrative of abortion and women's reproductive rights. I think I speak on behalf of everyone involved that your play has truly changed our lives and impacted all of us deeply. We hope we can do the same for our audiences.
Jane at Temple University and UCLA in fall
Reading in Philadelphia at Temple University’s Being Heard festival November 16-17, and a full production at UCLA by the Color Box student company December 3 in the Northwest Theater on campus.
JANE streaming nationally starting in November
A unique filmed and edited performance by Bloomington, IL’s Coalescence Theater Project and Chicago’s Cat’s Cradle Theatre. Directed by Kristen L Schoenback. To benefit the nation’s largest abortion fund, WRRAP, based in California. More info on streaming here.