the love object
Written By
Justine Gelfman
October 10–November 3, 2024
6157 N Clark St
Directed By
Jasmine B. Gunter
This production of the love object was made possible through the generous production sponsorship of the Michael & Mona Heath Fund.
Synopsis
On the eve of Ramona’s sold-out stadium tour, her best friend and trusted assistant Paula announces she is leaving to pursue her own artistry. Fearing the loss of her closest confidante, Ramona reveals that a sex tape she made is about to be released, tainting her image (and ticket sales) forever. Will Paula stay and clean up Ramona’s mess one more time or finally escape the oppressive celebrity machine for good? A contemporary adaptation of Euripides’ Hippolytus, the love object examines the hyper-sexualization of women celebrities, the power struggles of interracial friendship and the tragedies of late-stage capitalism, all through the bubblegum veneer of an early 2000s pop superstar.
Cast
- Paula — Kaylah Marie Crosby
- Ramona — Emily Holland
- Simon — William Anthony Sebastian Rose II
- Tish — Cat Christmas
- Randy — Spencer Diaz Tootle
- Kylie — Mollyanne Nunn
- Paula u/s — Jordan Marie Ford
- Ramona u/s — Mollyanne Nunn
- Simon/Randy u/s — Freddy Mauricio
- Kylie/Tish u/s — Jacinda Ratcliffe
Creative Team
- Tianxuan Chen — Scenic Design
- Ben Argenta Kress — Costume Design
- Seojung Jang — Lighting Design
- Newt Schottelkotte — Sound Design, Original Composition
- Angelíca Grace — Choreographer
- Racquel Postiglione — Prop Design
- Courtney Abbott — Intimacy & Violence Director
- Stina Taylor — Technical Direction
- Ruby Lowe — Master Electrician
- Ariel Beller — Stage Manager
- Emma Johnson — Assistant Stage Manager
- Lucy Whipp^ — Production Manager
- Brenna DiStasio^ — Producer
- Paul Michael Thomson^ — Producer
- Terry Guest^ — Producer
- Ayanna Bria Bakari^ — Associate Producer
^denotes a member of The Story Governing Ensemble
The Story continued its commitment to Chicago playwrights with the second iteration of its now flagship program, The (W)rites of Summer 2024! This festival featured the work of SIX playwrights and over 30 local artists—including commissions from Mallory Raven Ellen Backstrom, Dillon Chitto, Kaeli Meno, and Gloria Imseih Petrelli. The (W)rites also featured elevated staged readings and workshop productions by Chicago luminaries Tyla Abercrumbie and Omer Abbas Salem. All of these world premieres were accompanied by community partnerships and educational resources!
Production Sponsors
The Iole Foundation
July 25, 2024
Who's Afraid of Deepak Chopra?
Written By
Tyla Abercrumbie
Directed By
Mikael Burke
July 26, 2024
"Reckon Revolt Revise"
A series of commissioned one acts featuring the following Chicago playwrights
Directed By
AmBer D. Montgomery
Blackbird
Written By
Mallory Raven-Ellen Backstrom
SPEECHaLICIOUS
Written By
Gloria Imseih Petrelli
Point of Order
Written By
Kaeli Meno
Tvshka
Written By
Dillon Chitto
July 27–28, 2024
Modern Women
Written By
Omer Abbas Salem
Directed By
Karina Patel
This project is made possible with contributions from 3Arts and individual donors as part of a 3AP (3Arts Projects) campaign.
Explore the archive of The Story Theatre's past shows, including production photos and videos.