A Number
Written by Caryl Churchill
Directed by Robin Witt
About the Play
Featuring two tour-de-force performances, this ingenious and illuminating twist on a family drama examines the idea of individuality and the very nature of identity. Staged in WT’s Gillian Theatre by Chicago director Robin Witt, the WT production will have you on the edge of your seat, revealing the emotional core of this gripping play and drawing audiences into its intriguing dystopia as it asks fascinating questions about the morality of actions that might just be taking place tomorrow…
Advisory: This production contains strong language and discussion of violence and self-harm.
Want to dive deeper into the world of A Number? Enrich your experience by:
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unlocking key discussion points
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reading an extended plot summary
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uncovering spoilers here (ALERT: discussion questions and synopsis reveal significant plot points).
Showtimes
Evenings
Tuesdays – Saturdays 7:30pm
select Sundays at 6pm
Matinees
Saturdays 3pm
select Sundays at 2pm
select Wednesdays at 3pm
- This is a reserved seat venue. Doors to the performance space will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance.
- There is no late seating or readmittance.
- For performances listed as “Sold Out,” contact the Box Office for more information about our standby and wait list options as well as for assistance locating currently available dates and times.
Meet the Artists
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William Brown* (Salter) |
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Nate Burger* (Bernard) |
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John Lister* (u/s Salter) |
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Joel Reitsma* (u/s Bernard) |
Caryl Churchill (Playwright)
Robin Witt (Director)
Courtney O’Neill (Scenic Designer)
Mieka van der Ploeg (Costume Designer)
Brandon Wardell (Lighting Designer)
Thomas Dixon (Sound Designer)
Rachel Watson (Properties Master)
Bobby Kennedy (Dramaturg)
Danielle Roos (Assistant Director)
Rachel Lockett (Assistant Stage Manager)
David Castellanos* (Production Stage Manager)
*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
Reviews
“Like...Black Mirror or... The Twilight Zone!”
“You are in excellent hands here!"
“A pitch perfect production!”
“A captivating blend of mystery and...family drama!”
“A production that will good and truly mess with your mind!”
“A superb production!”
“A... sci-fi thrill ride!”
Special Events
Save the dates for these special events!
Accessible Performances
Open-Captioned performance: Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 7:30pm
From Page to Stage
YOU'RE BEING RIDICULOUS: THE FUTURE!
The popular Live Lit event comes to WT! At You’re Being Ridiculous, real people tell true stories about their lives. Each performer is linked by a rotating theme, and by the desire to make you laugh—and once in awhile, cry. In honor of the Writers Theatre production of A Number, the theme for this round will be: The Future!
The You’re Being Ridiculous motto: Good stories are better than good times. “We laugh at ourselves and laugh with each other.”
Scheduled performers: Margaret Benson, Jennie Ellman, Dennis Frymire, Leora Hatchwell, Willy Nast, Jeremy Owens and Nadine Warner. $15 admission.
From Page to Stage
THE ETHICS OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES
Caryl Churchill’s intellectual thriller A Number is set “in a strikingly familiar future,” where certain scientific and technological advances allow people to attempt to fix past mistakes by starting over—in a way. At this timely From Page to Stage event, our guest expert will dive into the ethics of scientific discoveries. As we make great progress in the realm of technology, are scientists stopping to ask the right questions? Just because we can do something, does that necessarily mean that we should? Come tackle these urgent questions and learn about the latest moral dilemmas facing today’s greatest minds.
The Making of... A Number
THE GREAT DEBATE:
NATURE VS. NURTURE
Monday, May 20, 2019 at 6:30pm
Featuring: Professor Emma K. Adam and Professor Vijay Mittal, Northwestern University
It’s a question that has been pondered for ages: does “nature” or “nurture” wield the biggest influence? Join us in the Gillian Theatre as we welcome Professors Emma K. Adam and Vijay Mittal of Northwestern University to tackle the assumption that only one of these factors solely controls our development. Inspired by Writers Theatre’s production of A Number by Caryl Churchill, come listen to case studies that put forth arguments for both sides, analyze the data and draw your own conclusions as we attempt to unpack how both our DNA and our environment impact our lives.
Post-Show Conversation: The Word
Join us after every Tuesday and Thursday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
Post-Show Conversation: The Artist
Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
A NUMBER First Rehearsal
A NUMBER Production Photos
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