A new play will interpret one of the best well-known literary classics as a modern-day tale set in Chicago.
“Long Way Home” puts a hip-hop spin on Homer’s Odyssey, set in The Windy City’s diverse landscape.
“Long Way Home” is written and directed by widely-acclaimed Q Brothers Collective and produced by Josephine Lee and Chicago Children’s Choir (CCC).
The piece makes its mark in the city it showcases with a limited engagement of five performances.
“Long Way Home” captures the pulse of contemporary life in Chicago.
Though primarily hip-hop, the piece pays homage to the tapestry of cultures in the city through the music genres that were born and cultivated there including blues, punk, and Chicago house music.
CCC singers ages 13-18 perform in the piece, which speaks directly to the heart of the organization: to bridge diverse communities through music.
“This is a love letter to Chicago and a testament to the hope and promise we see in our young leaders,” said Josephine Lee, President and Artistic Director of CCC. “Our singers have been involved in the creative process. It has given them the chance to develop this highly-professional piece and also validates what they are going through at this time.”
Long Way Home is directed by the Q Brothers, whose critically-acclaimed work includes “Othello: The Remix” commissioned by Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
The Q Brothers have been writing plays and musicals for nearly 20 years, taking classic works and translating them into modern contexts.
“When you hear the Chicago Children’s Choir perform, you get goosebumps,” said JQ, Creative Director and Musical Director for Q Brothers. “The juxtaposition of innocent voices on heavy topics is awesome. It really encapsulates the epic nature of this piece.”
“These kids are a part of a piece that they can stand behind,” said Jackson Doran, Creative Associate and Director of Education for Q Brothers. “It is an insanely dope professional piece of art, which is empowering and shows the world the potential of young performers.”
Long Way Home is made possible by the Artistic Initiatives Fund of Chicago Children’s Choir, an IncentOvate Grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and Allstate Insurance Company.
In-kind set design is produced by award-winning Kehoe Designs.
Tickets are available at ccchoir.org/longwayhome for performances:
March 9, 7:30pm
March 10, 3:00pm and 7:00pm
March 11, 2:00pm and 6:00pm
