Dear Elizabeth
by Sarah Ruhl
directed by Creative Producer Christina Casano
October 17 – November 17, 2024
In 1947, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell’s first letters sparked a friendship that spanned 30 years, crossing continents and filling countless pages. Their correspondence, a blend of poetry and personal musings, became the anchor of their tumultuous lives. Despite rare meetings, their connection transcended the bounds of a traditional love story, evolving into a profound friendship.
Dear Elizabeth peeks into the private lives of two literary giants, revealing their vulnerabilities, insecurities, and the intimacy of their bond. Sarah Ruhl creates a poignant narrative by weaving the poets’ letters together, providing a window into their extraordinary connection, the enduring power of their words, and, ultimately, the transformative power of language and art.
Reviews
“I promise you that you will see a love story that is not like anything you have ever experienced before.”
– Alan Bresloff, Around the Town Chicago
“In director Christina Casano’s quite beautiful little Remy Bumppo Theatre Company production, this one is never boring for a second.”
– Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
“This play will certainly tickle classic literature enthusiasts. The 90-minute play is crackling with trivia and humorous hot takes.”
– John Accrocco, Buzz Center Stage
“This play is beautiful, moving, and perfectly human…Whether you like poetry or not, these are two fascinating people who are even more fascinating together. If you choose to spend an hour and a half with them, you won’t regret it.”
– Karen Topham, Chicago on Stage
Rehearsal Photos
Production Photos
Cast
Elizabeth Bishop – Leah Karpel* (she/her)
Robert Lowell – Christopher Sheard* (he/him)
U/S Elizabeth Bishop – Morgan Burkey (she/her)
U/S Robert Lowell – JT Nagle (he/him)
* Denotes member of Actors Equity Association
** Denotes USA Designer
^ Denotes Core Ensemble Member
^^ Denotes Associate Artist
Production
Director – Christina Casano (she/her)
Assistant Director – Eduardo Xavier^ (he/him)
Scenic Designer: Catalina Niño (she/her)
Lighting Designer: Max Grano De Oro (he/him)
Costume Designer: Kotryna Hilko^^ (she/her)
Sound Designer: Chris Kriz** (he/him)
Projections Designer: John Boesche (he/him)
Props Designer: Isa Noe (she/her)
Movement/Intimacy Designer: Micah Figueroa (he/him)
Dramaturg: Devon Hayakawa (any with respect)
Assistant Costume Designer: Janelle Smith (they/them/she/her)
Technical Director: Nick Peebles (he/him)
Stage Manager: Jean Compton* (she/her)
Assistant Stage Manager: Sophie Goddard (they/them)
About the Cast
LEAH KARPEL (Elizabeth)
Leah Karpel’s (she/her) Chicago credits include: Appropriate, The Whale, We Are Proud to Present… (Victory Gardens); Landladies, The Commons Of Pensacola (Northlight); Buena Vista, The Glass Menagerie, The Hot L Baltimore (Steppenwolf); The Diary Of Anne Frank (Writers); Punk Rock (Griffin). NYC/regional credits include: Lewiston/Clarkston (Rattlestick), The Harvest (LCT3), Pocatello (Playwrights Horizons), Porto (Women’s Project). Regional: Miller, Mississippi (Dallas Theatre Center, Longwharf Theatre); Residence (Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival); 4000 Miles (Long Wharf Theatre); Ten Chimneys (Milwaukee Repertory). Film/TV: Chicago Med, Patriot, Olympia.
CHRISTOPHER SHEARD (Robert)
Chris Sheard (he/him) is thrilled to return to Remy Bumppo where he was last seen in Puff: Believe it or Not. Chris is an ensemble member with Definition Theatre (An Octoroon, A Doll’s House) and has performed in Chicago theatres such as: Goodman Theatre (A Christmas Carol – 4 seasons, The Winter’s Tale), Writer’s Theatre (The Last Match, Arcadia), Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Remy Bumppo, A Red Orchid Theatre, Steppenwolf, American Blues, TimeLine and Windy City Playhouse. Regional credits include five seasons with American Player’s Theatre (Romeo and Juliet, The Seagull, A Phoenix Too Frequent), Third Avenue Playhouse and Great River Shakespeare. He is represented by Grossman and Jack Talent. He received his MFA from University of Illinois, his BA from Florida State and recently received his Master’s in Social Work and works full-time in a private practice.
About the Director
CHRISTINA CASANO (Director)
Christina Casano (she/her) is a theatre artist based in Chicago. Her training includes a BA in Theatre from Miami University, Victory Gardens Theater’s Director’s Inclusion Initiative, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Summer Professional Training Program. Selected directing credits: I Build Giants and Poison (The Plagiarists), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stone Soup Shakespeare), Socks & Co. (workshop, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), Work in Progress (workshop, The Plagiarists) How To Murder… (workshop, Bramble Theatre), Blood of My Mother’s (workshop reading, Wayward Sisters), Plaid As Hell (Babes With Blades), Deep Shadows (audio drama, EFCT), Fame Heaux (staged reading, Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival). Other favorite projects: Short Shakes! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Some Like It Red and The Epic of Gilgamesh, etc. (The Plagiarists), How To Defend Yourself (Victory Gardens), Bury Me (Dandelion Theatre), The Light Fantastic (Jackalope Theatre). www.cmrcasano.com
About the Playwright
SARAH RUHL (Playwright)
Administrative Office
3759 N. Ravenswood Avenue
Suite 124
Chicago, IL 60613
773.244.8119
Performance Venue
Theater Wit
1229 W. Belmont Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60657
Box Office: 773.975.8150
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