“Attention Venture Shoppers, the time is now 9:25 and your Venture store will be closing in 5 minutes.” Becky and Billy hear that several times a week. This time is different. The Store has to be ready for a big inspection, there’s a huge party happening after work, and they just might have to figure out their future! Can this be done while facing end caps of Speed Stick?!?! Oh, and let’s get those carts collected!
Info
$ 99
Per MonthPerformed at The Factory Theater (1623 W Howard St., Rogers Park, Chicago)
Written By: Len Foote and Scott OKen
Directed By: Scott OKen
Previews: Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11
Press Opening: Friday, June 16 at 8pm
Performance Schedule: June 9 – July 22, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm. Thursday performances on July 13 and 20 at 8pm.
Understudy Performance: Sunday, July 9 at 3pm
Tickets: $25
Run Time: 90 min
Cast
$ 99
Per MonthBilly Bibby – Alex Poe+Vince – Danny Mulae+
Becky – Katy Campbell*
Diana – Allison Cain***
Remi – Garrett Wiegel+
Lisa – Lizzy Mosher*
Todd the SMA trainee – Ryan Hake+^
Glynn Coppins/Bob the Pharmacist – Ian Saderholm+
Gladys – Abbi Bryson*
Paul – Matt Chester+
Greg Gerstenberger/Customers – Timothy C. Amos+∽
Val Tangora/Customers – Theresa Liebhart*
Billy U/S – Ryan Cason+
Vince U/S – Frank Menolascino+
Becky U/S – Haley Peters*
Diana U/S – Hanna Beth Mitchell*
Remi U/S – David Wiesenhahn+
Lisa U/S – Heather Bohan*
Todd U/S – Austin Millard+
Paul/Greg U/S – Eric Frederickson+∽
Glynn/Bob U/S – Sean Price+
Crew
$ 99
Per MonthPlaywright – Len Foote and Scott OKen**Director – Scott OKen**
Assistant Director – Jennifer Betancourt∽
Stage Manager – Lindsey Chidester
Production Manager – Bradford Stevens∽
Technical Director – Evan Sposato
Set Design – Rose Johnson
Light Design – Ellie Humphrys✝
Sound Design – Sebby Woldt
Props Design – Henry Bender
Costume Consultant – Rachel Sypniewski**
Master Electrician – CW Van Baale~
∽ denotes Factory Ensemble
✝ denotes Artistic Associate
** denotes Emeritus
Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs). = (any with respect)
Foote Notes (Playwright)
SmOKen Notes (Playwright and Director)
I met Scott OKen at Venture in 1984 and I immediately thought I’m going to write a play about this experience 35 years later. Actually, I don’t remember exactly when we decided to write this, but once we did, the ideas came quickly. Work long enough in one place and you’ll find some interesting characters and stories for sure. Not everything is true, it’s a mix of fact and fiction and it was a lot of fun getting it on paper (or computer). I think everyone can identify with being in your early twenties and having that tug between getting on with your life and having fun. We tried to put enough real life struggle in it to ground the comedy. Hope everyone enjoys it!
Ten Years working at various Venture stores, but most of this comes from the days at Norridge Venture Store 25. I met most of the people I know today either through Venture or tangentially through the store. Len and I worked our asses off but we have a lot of memories. Thank you for taking a walk back in time, to a period where you didn’t scan items and had to ticket everything individually! It’s a fun time. Hope you have some fun too!
