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On this day in 1858. Our American Cousin had its Broadway premiere.

Of course, a few years later, a more historical production would take place, not in New York City, but at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC.

Flash forward 146 years and in a small rehearsal room at Loyola University, Project 891 Theatre Company is in rehearsals for a comedy that tries to re-create that fateful night.

Our Leading Lady is a difficult play to categorize.  Of course, it’s a backstage comedy.  Charles Busch has outdone himself with this play and has truly shown his love for both theatre and history.  Yet there is also a strong dramatic undertone.  As Act One ends and the fateful  performance at Ford’s theatre is abruptly cut short, the actors, and the nation as a whole, must decide how to move forward.

I think thats is what initially drew me to this play.  In September, 2011 I was in rehearsals for the David Ives comedy All in the Timing.  I remember arriving at rehearsal that night stunned as we all were.  Why were we doing this?  How could we even think about performing in a play when no one knew what tomorrow would bring?  All these thought and feelings came rushing back to me as I read Our Leading Lady. 

Theatrical people are extremely adaptable, I feel, and, at the risk of sounding pretentious, are usually able to help others see the world around them and move forward.  Even if the theatre is used as pure escapism, it serves a point and can be a tremendously healing influence on an audience.

So a few weeks ago, I attended a rehearsal and was blown away.  Project 891 Theatre Company started three years ago, which was about the time I read the play.  We all knew it was something we wanted to do but also realized that we needed some time to grow.  Judging by what I saw at rehearsal, we were right! 

Michael Rashid (who has directed several productions in Chicago such as Never the Sinner, Gross Indecency and Terre Haute) has assembled an amazingly talented group of people who can play the show's rhythms brilliantly.  Costume Designer Liz Hoffman has hand made dozens of 1860's era hoop dresses, robes, girdles, dressing gowns….and on top of that has also thrown herself into her onstage role as Verbena.

It is due to this fact that I feel confident in saying that a donation (however large or small) will be money well spent.    Our Kickstarter fundraiser is going in full force!  We currently have $1,726 pledged and, if we hit the $2000 mark by Friday Oct 28, a donor has agreed to donate $500. 

As a rule, Project 891 does not actively seek donations.  Most of our fundraising comes from trivia nights and shows.  However, the monolithic items needed to stage this show have led us to this necessity. 

You have my word, however, that you will not regret it.  This show is something to be proud of.

Please click here and make a donation.  Any amount helps!

Thank you

Ron Popp

Artistic Director
Project 891 Theatre Company

 


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