Provision Theater Teams Up with Chicago Charity

Provision Theater Company has announced that in these difficult financial times, it has teamed up with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to raise money for hunger relief.  Provision Theater Company will donate $5 to the food depository for every ticket purchased using promotional code GCFD2 for it’s upcoming production of Harry Chapin’s Cotton Patch Gospel which starts Sep 12th.

“We chose to support the Greater Chicago Food Depository with this show because Harry Chapin was such an amazing humanitarian and he worked so tirelessly to help those in need,” said Managing Director Mike Schuppe.  “His fans will be able to enjoy this great show he wrote and also contribute to a cause he cared so strongly about.

Provision Theater Company opens their 2009-10 season September 12th with a bigger and bolder version of their 2004 hit production of Harry Chapin’s COTTON PATCH GOSPEL.  The season will be the first produced in their brand new theater home, located at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road in Chicago .  To celebrate the space, the theater company will host a gala reception, highlighted with a champagne toast, on Saturday, September 12; a date that also marks the official opening of the production which previews September 10 and runs through November 8.  Lou Contey will direct the production.

In March 2004, Provision Theater Company produced a Jeff nominated, critically acclaimed production of Harry Chapin’s off-Broadway smash hit COTTON PATCH GOSPEL.  The production played to packed houses and unanimous critical praise from the Chicagoland media.  The production features the reverential retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and John in a contemporary southern setting, set to bluegrass music.  The award winning musical is based on the book “The Cotton Patch Gospels of Matthew and John” by Clarence Jordan, a Bible scholar and Civil Rights activist.  Tom Key and Russel Trevz adapted Jordan ’s writings and worked with the late Harry Chapin to create this musical stage version.

Critics have raved that the show is “Tuneful, zesty and good-hearted!,” (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune), “…this clever reworking offers a simple interpretation of familiar Bible stories and does so with a heartfelt passion laced with humor and enhanced by some darn good music!” (Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times), “Provision’s breezy, bright inaugural production offers a welcome alternative to Mel Gibson’s controversial film!” (Jen Goddu, The Chicago Reader).

People can order tickets at www.provisiontheater.org or by calling 866.811.4111.  Please use promotional code GCFD2 when ordering.  The performance schedule is as follows:  Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($28) and Sundays at 3 p.m. ($25).  Select Wednesday and Thursday preview performances will be held at 8 p.m. ($22).  Ticket prices include free parking.

Provision Theater Company is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose.

In addition to the 2004 hit COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, Provision Theater Company has celebrated two more Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for their critically-acclaimed production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  Other highly praised and Joseph Jefferson nominated productions include: C.S. LEWIS ON STAGE, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY & THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, THE SPITFIRE GRILL, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN and BEAST ON THE MOON.