March 29, 2024
News

Berwyn theater to screen hit play 'Methtacular!' March 19 to April 4

BERWYN – Berwyn's 16th Street Theater will stream Steven Strafford's "Methtacular!," directed by Adam Fitzgerald, from March 19 to April 4, showing during the same dates and times of the canceled public run.

Times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29. With extras such as curtain speeches emailed out to all ticket buyers and invitations to live Zoom talk-backs with playwright and performer Steven Strafford, 16th Street sees this as a way to share the work of its artists and keep a feeling of community connectedness during these isolating times, a news release stated.

Streaming tickets cost $12 per person (on your honor) and available at 16thstreettheater.org. The show is recommended for mature audiences.

How it works

• Audiences still buy a ticket for a particular date and time

• Buy one ticket per person/viewer

• Get a password-protected link to the video starting one hour before showtime that will expire at midnight Eastern Standard Time

• Streaming tickets cost $12 each – $10 plus $2 ticket fee

• 100 Club Subscribers may use their subscription ticket for streaming or contribute $12 to Stream Fund

People can make it a social distancing date night while supporting the local community, suggests 16th Street, which is partnering with Berwyn restaurants (Autre Monde, Bodhi Thai, Capri Due, Lavergne’s, to date) who each will offer special discounts and/or menus to "Methtacular!" ticket buyers with curbside, carryout and/or delivery.

The theater reminds people to use caution and stay home if they feel sick in any way, and to wash hands often and not touch their face.

Extras

• Curtain speech video delivered to your in-box with recommendations of how best to enjoy your virtual, communal night

• Zoom talk-backs with Steven Strafford from 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. after Thursday and Friday performances

"Methtacular!" is Strafford’s hilarious and harrowing autobiographical account of his three years as a crystal meth addict in Chicago. Through comedy, songs and honest storytelling, Strafford brings audiences on a journey through the chemical highs, devastating lows, and ultimately, redemption from his drug addled, sex-crazed life.

Rave reviews include “Highly recommended’ from The Village Voice. In a four-star review, Adam Feldman of TimeOut New York writes: "Strafford lays out the highs and lows of that period with remarkable candor, insight and humor … Adam Fitzgerald’s direction keeps everything up to speed, but also carves out spaces for outside perspective … as 'Methtacular!' wends toward a very-special-episode finale, Strafford’s brave cheer and determination to entertain never let it fall into pity-partying."

Strafford's play "Small Jokes About Monsters" was a critically acclaimed hit at 16th Street.

The streaming of "Methtacular!" was recorded at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre and features William TN Hall on piano.

Hundred Club Members choose either "Methtacular!" (March 19 to April 4) or "Palestine" (currently postponed to April 12 to May 10) as part of their subscription to Season Thirteen 2020.

To learn more, visit 16thstreettheater.org.