U.S. Premiere
September 21 - December 18, 2016
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Kate Hennig Playwright
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Nick Bowling ~ + Director
Cast
Production Team
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Jared Bellot ^ Dramaturg
- Dina Spoerl Lobby Display Designer
- Regina García # Scenic Designer
- Mike Durst # Lighting Designer
- Melissa Torchia # Costume Designer
- Victoria Deiorio # Original Music and Sound Designer
- Vivian Knouse Properties Design
- Richard Lundy * Stage Manager
- Sydney Chatman Associate Director
- Matt Hawkins Fight Choreographer
- Jill Perez Assistant Director
- Lucy Schuh Production Assistant, Wardrobe Supervisor
- Adrienne Bader Young Performer Supervisor
Understudies
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Rochelle Therrien * Mary
* Member of Actors Equity Association
# Member of United Scenic Artists
~ Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society
+ TimeLine Company Member
^ TimeLine Associate Artist
§ TimeLine Playwrights Collective
Reviews
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Chicago on the Aisle
October 15, 2016
5 STARS. Hennig’s dazzling play, supremely acted under the regal hand of director Nick Bowling … is a theatrical experience not to be missed.
—Lawrence B. Johnson
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Chicago Sun-Times
October 12, 2016
The TimeLine production, directed by Nick Bowling (and cast with notable diversity) is vividly acted, with the power couple at its center capable of true fireworks. … it might just be a perfect reflection of the temper of our times.”
—Hedy Weiss
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Buzz News Chicago
October 1, 2016
Director Nick Bowling’s cast teases out the nuances of Hennig’s complex script, creating a surprisingly compassionate image of a court known mainly for its beheadings. … For fans of the Tudor era, as well as people who enjoy intimate studies of ambitious families, The Last Wife is highly recommended.”
—Jacob Davis
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Chicago Tribune
October 4, 2016
“The Last Wife” is certainly a fresh take on this bloody stretch of English history, and a very smart piece of writing.
—Chris Jones
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Chicago Reader
October 3, 2016
RECOMMENDED. Hennig imagines a smart, funny screwball-style relationship between Parr and Henry, with a grim frisson: one lover can have the other executed at any moment. Steve Pickering is the perfect charming thug as Henry, while AnJi White pushes Parr to white-knuckle levels of nerve, always arrogant, always overreaching.
—Tony Adler
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Stage and Cinema
October 3, 2016
Ending Catherine’s centuries-long silence over her superiority to the men in her world, Hennig provides a fine actress with a role well worth the wait.
—Lawrence Bommer
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Newcity
September 30, 2016
RECOMMENDED. With its modern aesthetic, “The Last Wife” is more “House of Cards” than “A Man for All Seasons” and as a production takes some inspired risks. … A play of palpable intelligence.
—Kevin Greene
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Third Coast Review
September 30, 2016
RECOMMENDED. Bowling succeeds in directing this family drama with awareness of its power. The entire cast is excellent. [Steve] Pickering is as always a delight to watch and [AnJi] White is a powerful protofeminist woman. The two youngest actors are both a revelation.
—Nancy Bishop
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Around the Town Chicago
September 30, 2016
4 STARS. The king is played to perfection by Steve Pickering, and when I say, perfection, I mean with a capital P—He is dynamite in this powerful cat and mouse game … This is a powerful show.
—Alan Bresloff
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Chicago Theatre Review
October 18, 2016
The production, directed with salience, style and spirit by Nick Bowling, floats through a fluid, impressionistic modern-day setting … Anji White is simply unforgettable. … Pickering’s performance is the stuff for which awards and accolades are created. … this production truly speaks to today’s audiences.
—Colin Douglas
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Arts and About
November 8, 2016
A fascinating modern take on the House of Tudor … There’s no better way to get your English History refresher than to see 'The Last Wife'
—Tom Mullaney
Features
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Rebellious Magazine
October 12, 2016
[A] first-rate production … The production couldn’t be any more relevant unless one of Hillary Clinton’s signature pantsuits was thrown into the mix.
—Janet Arvia
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WBEZ Worldview
October 28, 2016
“In the English-speaking world, women have had to imagine their history, because history was written by men.” Nari Safavi discusses The Last Wife with playwright Kate Hennig and director Nick Bowling in this WBEZ radio feature.
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Chicago On the Aisle
December 8, 2016
“That is when you think to yourself, ‘I’m a queen. I’m going to survive this.’” Lawrence B. Johnson of Chicago On the Aisle sat down with THE LAST WIFE actor AnJi White to discuss her role as Kate, life in the rehearsal room, and “where history intersects the modern perspective.”
Discussions & Events
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Open Captioned Performance
Saturday, October 22 at 4pm Read More -
PRE-Show Discussions
Various dates Read More -
Post-Show Discussions
Various dates Read More -
Sunday Scholars Series
Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 4:30 pm Read More -
Company Member Discussion
Sunday, November 20 Read More -
Belmont Theater District Theatre Night
Thursday, December 8 at 6:45 pm Read More -
THE LAST WIFE Closing
Sunday, December 18 at 2pm Read More
Photo by Joe Mazza / Brave Lux Inc.
Photo by Joe Mazza / Brave Lux Inc.
Photo by Joe Mazza / Brave Lux Inc.
Photo by Joe Mazza / Brave Lux Inc.
Photo by Lara Goetsch
Photo by Lara Goetsch
Audience Reactions
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I am still thinking about the play. It has stayed with me and was a really wonderful experience.
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It was a joy to watch. … Thank you for choosing this play and really digging into it. Every beat was fascinating.