A Red Orchid Theatre today announced the crew behind the Chicago Premiere of Dianne Nora’s SIX MEN DRESSED LIKE JOSEPH STALIN, starring Esteban Andres Cruz and David Cerda, and directed by Ensemble Member dado. The play runs May 18 - June 22, 2025 (with previews May 8 - 16) on the theatre’s stage at 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets ($35 - $50) on sale starting today at 12 p.m. at www.aredorchidtheatre.org.
When Soso is left for dead on the Eastern Front, he’s taken in by the Kremlin due to his shocking resemblance to a certain someone. Koba is tasked with training him to perform the role of a lifetime: Stalin’s body double. While Soso is a performer—trained to dance, juggle, and tour the countryside entertaining peasants—Koba is an actor’s actor, a student of Stanislavski himself (maybe you’ve heard of his System?), committed to the pursuit of perezhivanie, or experiencing a character’s reality. Together, the doubles prepare for the Conference at Tehran, when three so-called Great Men (or were they merely players?) decided the fate of the 20th century.
Led by director dado, the production team includes Lauren Lassus (Stage Manager), Patrick Starner (Production Manager), Grant Sabin* (Scenic Designer), Myron Elliott* (Costume Designer), Levi Wilkins (Lighting Designer), Angela Joy Baldasare (Sound Designer), Ab Rieve (Props Designer), Lana Whittington (Violence Choreographer), Tom Daniel (Technical Director), Tanya Palmer (Dramaturg), Tyler Struble (Assistant Director), Sheri Tarrer (Assistant Stage Manager), Nini Bagundo (Script Supervisor), and Duncan Hon (Master Electrician).
FACT SHEET:
SIX MEN DRESSED LIKE JOSEPH STALIN
Title: SIX MEN DRESSED LIKE JOSEPH STALIN
Written By: Dianne Nora
Directed By: dado*
Cast: Esteban Andres Cruz* (Soso), David Cerda (Koba)
Production Team: Lauren Lassus (Stage Manager), Patrick Starner (Production Manager), Grant Sabin* (Scenic Designer), Myron Elliott* (Costume Designer), Levi Wilkins (Lighting Designer), Angela Joy Baldasare (Sound Designer), Ab Rieve (Props Designer), Lana Whittington (Violence Choreographer), Tom Daniel (Technical Director), Tanya Palmer (Dramaturg), Tyler Struble (Assistant Director), Sheri Tarrer (Assistant Stage Manager), Nini Bagundo (Script Supervisor), Duncan Hon (Master Electrician)
* denotes A Red Orchid Theatre Ensemble Member
Dates: May 18 - June 22, 2025
Previews: May 8 - 16, 2025
Press Opening: Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 3 and 7 p.m.
Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m.
Location: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St.
Tickets: $35-$50 regular run. Student, senior, and group discounts available.
Box Office: (312) 943-8722 or online at www.aredorchidtheatre.org
Sponsors: Production Sponsors: Heidi Graham, Andrea Mitchel, and Barbara & Randy Thomas. Developmental Sponsor: Kate Gray.
ABOUT A RED ORCHID THEATRE
A Red Orchid Theatre has served as an artistic focal point in the heart of the Old Town community of Chicago since 1993 and was honored with a 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Over the past 31 years, its Resident Ensemble has welcomed into its fold an impressive array of award-winning actors, playwrights and theatre artists with the firm belief that live theatre is the greatest sustenance for the human spirit. A Red Orchid is well known and highly acclaimed for its fearless approach to performance and design in the service of unflinchingly intimate stories.
A Red Orchid Theatre is: Karen Aldridge, Lance Baker, Kamal Angelo Bolden, Esteban Andres Cruz, Dado, Mike Durst, Sherman Edwards, Myron Elliott, Jennifer Engstrom, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Joseph Fosco, Steve Haggard, Levi Holloway, Mierka Girten, Larry Grimm, John Judd, Karen Kawa, Karen Kessler, Travis A. Knight, Danny McCarthy, Shade Murray, Brett Neveu, Sadieh Rifai, Grant Sabin, Steve Schine, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen, Doug Vickers and Natalie West.
Sponsor Information
A Red Orchid Theatre remains grateful for the support of our board, donors, and loyal audience who continue to champion our ambitious and powerful storytelling. These sponsors help to create a platform for our talented Ensemble to reach new audiences, and ensure that we remain a source for honest, compassionate, and aesthetically rigorous theatre-making.
A Red Orchid Theatre’s 32nd Season is sponsored by Kamehachi, Picnic Wine & Provisions, and Roost Roastery. The Production Sponsors for Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin are Heidi Graham, Andrea Mitchel, and Barbara & Randy Thomas. Developmental Sponsor: Kate Gray.
Interested in sponsoring a production? By partnering with us as a sponsor, you will help to take our work to the next level of artistic excellence, while also receiving deeper access to our artists and the creative process. To learn more, please contact Development Director Stephanie Shum at stephanie@aredorchidtheatre.org or 312-943-8722.