Colonial Chorus Players Presents Dark Satire The Pillowman

Martin McDonagh’s play exploring the line between art and reality runs October 2–11 at Reading’s Old Hose House Theater

AJ Lyman (left) and Ryan March (right) play two brothers being interrogated by police in a totalitarian state in Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman at Colonial Chorus Players October 2–11. Photo courtesy of Colonial Chorus Players.

Reading, MA — Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? That’s the question at the heart of Martin McDonagh’s dark, twisty satire The Pillowman, presented by Colonial Chorus Players October 2–11 at the Old Hose House Theater, 1249 Main Street, Reading. 

The Pillowman is set in a police interrogation room in an unnamed totalitarian state where a young writer, Katurian, is under suspicion for inciting horrific violent acts through his short stories. As Katurian attempts to defend his artistic freedom, his stories come to life on the stage through creative staging, and the audience is left to decipher their true meaning and impact.

Martin McDonagh is an award-winning Irish playwright and filmmaker known for provocative works such as The Banshees of Inisherin and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The Pillowman is recommended for mature audiences only and contains adult language, child abuse, suicide, physical violence, ableist slurs, and other mature content.

The cast features AJ Lyman, Casey Preston, Mark Damon, Ryan March, Nick Bennett-Zendzian, Addie Pates, and Mia Imparato under the direction of Corey Cadigan. 

Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors/students. In honor of CCP’s 65th anniversary this year, a special $65 ticket is available for “sapphire supporters.” Tickets at the door are $33 for adults and $25 for seniors/students, available 30 minutes before showtime, payable in cash or via Venmo. For tickets and information, visit ccp1961.org.

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