ORPHANS
by Lyle Kessler
directed by Richard Dominick
NY Times described Orphans as theater for the senses and emotions. Steppenwolf Theater's 1985 production, directed by Gary Sinese, first in Chicago, and then off-broadway, cemented its status as a darkly comic drama--a shrewd pastiche that grows steadily in passion and tension. A 2013 Broadway revival starring Alec Baldwin furthered its renown. Now, Parker Players Theater Co. takes its turn in presenting this play which, at its heart, is about fathers and sons searching each other out — creating these roles for themselves, if they must — because neither can survive without the other.
Director: Richard Dominick
​
Sound/Light Design: Ray Harris
Scenic Design: Emily Douville, Dan McHugh
Costume Design: Chris Baustert
Properties Design: Jack Myers
​
​
CAST
​
TREAT: Jose Cervantes
PHILLIP: James Knapp
HAROLD: Guy Sullivan
Graphic Design: Kristine Keegan
Original Illustration: Pryor McHugh
synopsis
Two grown orphan brothers live in an old dilapidated row house in North Philadelphia - deserted in childhood by an unfaithful father and by the death of their mother. Phillip, sensitive, reclusive, never venturing out of his North Philly home, trapped in a world of Star Kist tuna sandwiches and jars of Hellman’s mayonnaise. Treat, the older brother, a violent pickpocket and thief, unprepared to be Phillip’s protector, suffers from a severe fear of abandonment, mistrust and isolation. Together they live in a world of illiteracy, innocence, violence, loneliness, and the need of a human touch. And then one night, Treat kidnaps a mysteriously wealthy businessman who turns the table on the two brothers and in a strange, hilarious, frightening and moving way puts himself into the role of teacher, healer and surrogate parent. The Chicago gangster, an orphan himself, becomes their long lost father figure
Orphans is presented at The Barrington:
540 W Northwest Highway
Barrington, IL 60010
​
Bars and Doors open one hour prior to showtime
​
Please note that there are NO EXCHANGES OR REFUNDS allowed once ticket is purchased.
​
General Seating.
​
Orphans is intended for mature audiences. ​Please email info@parkerplayerstheater.org with questions.