The Idle Musings of Sherlock Holmes:
The Boscombe Valley Mystery
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Idle Muse Theatre Company presents The Idle Musings of Sherlock Holmes, with its third episode in the series, The Boscombe Valley Mystery, by Michael Dalberg! Join IMTC for an evening of Sherlock Holmes, live radio performance, and delectable drinks as we rejoin the inimitable duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in another baffling mystery with friends and foes both old and new. Watch the wheels spin rapidly off the wagon as the world’s greatest detective takes on a classic and compelling murder mystery with new twists in this original adaptation voiced by IMTC ensemble members, live to broadcast with onstage foley artist sound effects presented live at The Edge Off Broadway Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood!
Idle Muse Theatre Company at The Edge Off Broadway 1133 W Catalpa Ave Chicago, IL 60640 For tickets: P 773-340-9438 E boxoffice@idlemustheatre.org www.idlemuse.org |
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Michael Dalberg is the resident playwright/adapter for the Idle Musings of Sherlock Holmes radio play series.
"Equivocation", Idle Muse Theatre Company, as Cecil/Nate
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In the aftermath of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 to assassinate King James I and destroy the British Parliament, playwright William Shagspeare is commissioned by the powerful Lord Robert Cecil to write the "true historie" of the plot...to the particular specifications of His Majesty. As they work to unravel the truth behind the conspiracy, navigating clandestine meetings, betrayals, and brawls, the King’s Men acting company tests just how far they’re willing to go for each other and to speak truth to power. When duty to country and pursuit of the truth collide, the Globe Theatre becomes the stage for Shag’s darkest play yet - and the battle for a nation’s soul. Fact, fiction, politics and comedy all vie for control in this critically acclaimed dramatic account of an historical national crisis!
FeaturingBrendan Hutt (Shag)
Michael Dalberg* (Cecil/Nate) Jake Baker (Richard) Emerson Elias (Armin) Kade Cox (Sharpe) Kali Skatchke (Judith) Production TeamEvan Jackson*, Director
Becky Warner, Stage Manager Libby Beyreis, Violen Design Milo Bue, Scenic Design William Sidney Parker*, Consultant Jen Mickelson, Intimacy Design Laura Wiley*, Lighting & Projection Design LJ Luthringer, Music & Sound Design Joshua D. Allard*, Costume Design / Marketing Director Tristan Brandon*, Properties Design/Literary Manager/Dramaturg Carrie Hardin, Speech and Dialect Coach Shellie DiSalvo*, Production Manager / Makeup Designer Mara Kovacevic*, Treasurer & House Management *IMTC Company Member
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Sep 23 - October 20, 2019
The Edge Theater Off-Broadway | 1133 W. Catalpa, Chicago, IL 60640 8pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 3pm Sundays Special Wednesday night performance 8pm, 10/9/2019 Runtime: 2 hour 45 minutes with a 10 minute intermission |
Supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation |
Moments
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Some fleeting, others infinite, this evening of one-act plays explores the space and time existing between people who are merely doorways--or sometimes lifetimes--apart.
The PlaysClouds 8 & 10 - by Anne Walaszek (class of 2012)
It’s opening night and six freshman theatre students are backstage preparing for the quickest quick change of their lives. A memory play, Clouds 8 & 10 reflects and refracts the formation of friendship, identity—and one show-stopping dress—in the moments that transpire when one young woman looks within to see what’s passed and welcome what’s to come. All to Ourselves - by Karl Gfall (class of 2011) What is “happily ever after” really like? Is it the manifestation of a beautiful ideal—or just an existential hell in which playwrights and audiences alike have trapped famous couples from the greatest love stories ever told? All to Ourselves is a meta-dramatic exploration of the moments that follow just after the curtain drops and the lights come up. Taking the Stairs - by Michael P. Dalberg (class of 2013) From inside your apartment, you can believe you're completely and entirely alone—and better off for it. That is, until you walk back into the stairwell. Caught within the confines of this somewhat unconventional locale,Taking the Stairs asks us to consider what it means to live together and discover a bit of ourselves in the neighbors that are just beyond our walls. |
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"Best for Winter, being a short Shakespeare adapted from The Winter's Tale and other works", Idle Muse Theatre Company, as Autolycus
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The ensemble of Idle Muse Theatre Company explores this classical fantasy with an impossible ending. Shakespeare’s story of human beings living in a world broken by the unforgivable acts of a man in power is the basis for this new adaptation focused on feelings and actions and as recognizable in 2019 as they were in the Bard’s time.
When forgiveness is impossible, can something else be found to take it’s place? Maybe something more important - something like hope? FeaturedBrian Bengtson* (Leontes), Mara Kovacevic* (Hermione), Erik Schnitger (Polixenes), Laura Jones Macknin* (Camilla), Elizabeth MacDougald* (Paulina), Brian Healy (Florizel), Kristen Alesia, (Perdita), Michael Dalberg* (Autolycus), Sara Robinson* (Antigonis), Paula Hlava (Mamillias), Eric Duhon (Shepherd), Joel Thompson*, (Clown)
Watson Swift, (Cleomenes), Morgan Manasa (Time), Lauren Grace Thompson, (U/S Perdita/Cleomenes) |
Photo by Steven Townshend. Costumes by Joshua Allard.
Supported by The MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
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Production TeamEvan Jackson* (director), Heather Zink (calling stage manager), Shellie DiSalvo*, (production manager and rehearsal stage manager), Laura Wiley* (technical director, lighting design and projection design), Milo Bue (scenic design), Joshua Allard (costume design), Tristan Brandon* (dramaturgy and prop design), L. J. Luthringer (sound and music design), William Sidney Parker* (consultant), Kati Lechner (vocal coach), Sarah Scanlon (intimacy design)
*IMTC Company Member
March 22 - April 20, 2019
The Edge Theater Off-Broadway | 1133 W. Catalpa, Chicago, IL 60640 Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes with a 10 minute intermission |
Resident Playwright, Three Brothers Theatre
In 2018, Michael was selected for the first playwright residency in Waukegan with Three Brothers Theatre! A total of 13 playwrights were selected, with opportunity for our work to be staged in readings and full production! Our plays will be featured in the annual Waukegan Theatre Festival (WTF), and at Stage 115.
See a press release announcing the opportunity here, through the Dramatists Guild website.
A League of Identity - Idle Muse Theatre Company
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Join Idle Muse Theatre Company once again as we continue to play upon our audience’s love of Sherlock Holmes, old-time radio performance, and drinking during live theatre! The characters of Doyle’s canon have never been so close, so extemporaneous, so occasionally feckless as in this the second in our series of Sherlock Holmes Radio Dramas, A League of Identity by Michael Dalberg, coming to you once again from the friendly and acoustically-lovely heart of the Edgewater Theatre District, the Edge. We’ll rejoin the inimitable duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they go up against baffling mystery and friends and foes both old and new, most of whom are not who they seem, and all of whom are voiced by the players of Idle Muse, live to broadcast with onstage foley. You’re invited to watch the wheels come rapidly off the wagon as the world’s greatest detective takes on two capers at once in this original adaptation, and what starts out as a staged reading will hopefully end up with a minimum of personal injury, a medium amount of hurt feelings, and a maximum of laughter.
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The cast of A League of Identity features: Elizabeth MacDougald*; Erin Gallagher*; Shellie DiSalvo*, Joel Thompson; Laura Jones Macknin*; William Sidney Parker*; and Michael Dalberg* as the announcer.
The Production Team for A League of Identity is: Tristan Brandon*, director; Mara Kovacevic*, stage manager and Laura Wiley*, technical director/lighting, live foley and projections design.
Idle Muse Theatre Company proudly announces the second radio play in its radio series, A League of Identity, written by Michael Dalberg and directed by Tristan Brandon, playing for one night only Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m., at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway St. Ticket prices for A League of Identity are $15 if purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at idlemuse.org or by calling 773.340.9438.
The Production Team for A League of Identity is: Tristan Brandon*, director; Mara Kovacevic*, stage manager and Laura Wiley*, technical director/lighting, live foley and projections design.
Idle Muse Theatre Company proudly announces the second radio play in its radio series, A League of Identity, written by Michael Dalberg and directed by Tristan Brandon, playing for one night only Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m., at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway St. Ticket prices for A League of Identity are $15 if purchased in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at idlemuse.org or by calling 773.340.9438.
POE - The Raven
Michael portrayed The Raven, guiding audiences through the most popular works of Edgar Allen Poe!
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October 19 - November 11, 2018
Welcome to the Mystic Moon, a cabaret bar where the denizens of Edgar Allen Poe's most frightful and delightful tales gather night after night. Let the lost Lenore and her cast of ghouls lead you through four of Poe's classic stories, including "Fall of the House of Usher," "Masque of the Red Death," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and of course "The Raven" as they are transported onto the stage in an evening of creepy comedy. |
The Chicago Premiere by Christina Lepri
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Ten Minute Play: Bereaved for Better
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Director Becca Holloway came to me with an idea for a ten-minute play that she wanted to direct for Skokie Theatre's annual short play festival. And when Becca asks me for something, I don't say no.
Working with Becca, I created a brand new play: BEREAVED FOR THE BETTER, in which two sisters come together to hash out the terms of their late mother's estate. To my delight, the play was a huge hit with audiences, and Becca's direction couldn't have been more on point! Kudos to her actors, Marisa Lerman and Lauren Deaton, for two knockout portrayals! |
MAYERLING - Theatre Evolve, Director
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Theatre Evolve, now in their 2nd season, is hosting a weekend of new plays! September 6 and 7 will each be evenings of full length plays, with a ten minute festival on their heels the 8 and 9! The reading was at Berger Park, in the Cultural Center. I directed a staged reading of MAYERLING, by Alexandra Ranieri. This new play follows Hungarian royalty after King Ludwig was forced to abdicate the throne, and murdered. Now his ghost haunts the Crown Prince Rudolf, seeking revenge on those who killed him. |
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Scott Dolan in God Loves a Terrier: A Best in Show Live Reading, Ghostlight Ensemble
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Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its ongoing live movie reading series: God Loves A Terrier: A Best In Show Live Reading.
Join us at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at My Buddy's (4416 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640), and make sure you bring your Busy Bee! "Best In Show" is a 2000 American mockumentary comedy film co-written by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy. The film follows five entrants in the prestigious Mayflower Dog Show, and focuses on the slightly surreal interactions among the various owners and handlers, as they travel to the show and compete, as well as the aftermath of the competition. There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its upcoming season, AND an additional donation for New Leash On Life - Chicago, a North Center-based non-profit that is committed to finding loving homes for shelter dogs who might otherwise be euthanized. |
A Scandal in Bohemia, Part One - a Sherlock Holmes Radio Play
Michael was lucky enough to join Idle Muse in their fundraiser radio play as a 1930s Radio Announcer / Host. See the full details below!
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One night only!
The company that brought you The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Final Adventure returned to the stage with one of literature's most beloved characters. Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, A Scandal in Bohemia, Part One was presented live at The Edge Theatre in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood with drinks and small eats. In this first installment of a new series based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Idle Muse took audiences back to the glory days of radio, feature a cast of Idle Muse Ensemble members, period costumes, and live foley sound effects! The sequel, A Scandal in Bohemia, Part Two, will be presented this coming winter as a follow-up performance. |
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An Adaptation: Cyrano
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Working with Artistic Director Tony Lawry, Cyrano got a new look... as a woman.
An original retelling of the French Classic by Edmond Rostand, this romantic comedy follows Cyrano, a female soldier, in a tale of unrequited love. As she vies for the beautiful Roxanne, Cyrano wrestles with self-doubt, body-shaming, and toxic masculinity in a world of "all's fair in love and war," armed with sword-like quips, fair friends, and more than a fair amount of pastries. |
The show opened February 9, the play had undergone a workshop via a free reading on Sunday, December 11, from 5pm to 7pm, complete with a talkback after the reading with the adapter (yours truly), the director, and the reading's cast.
Auditions/Callbacks were held in May, and the cast is set with a group who are sure to make Theatre Above the Law's slogan "Theatre for You" chime true!
BONUS: The show ran as part of Chicago Theatre Week! You could get discounted tickets at only $15 for the first two weeks (February 9 through 18). Thereafter, tickets were $20-25 each (February 23 through March 4).
Michael both wrote the adaptation, and played one of the ensemble characters, Ligniere! See part of the script here.
Auditions/Callbacks were held in May, and the cast is set with a group who are sure to make Theatre Above the Law's slogan "Theatre for You" chime true!
BONUS: The show ran as part of Chicago Theatre Week! You could get discounted tickets at only $15 for the first two weeks (February 9 through 18). Thereafter, tickets were $20-25 each (February 23 through March 4).
Michael both wrote the adaptation, and played one of the ensemble characters, Ligniere! See part of the script here.
Major Hamilton Pike, Jr. in ROCKET CITY, ALABAM' by Mark Saltzman
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"Based on a true story. In the 50's at the dawn of the Cold War, the U.S. Army moves notorious Nazi rocket scientist Wernher Von Braun to Huntsville, Alabama, a cotton town selected to become America's "Rocket City." But Huntsville has a large Jewish community, and emotions ignite when the Jewish fiancée of a local war hero learns of Von Braun's Nazi past. With sensitivity and humor. Rocket City, Alabam' presents the moral dilemmas of idealism vs. practicality, of revenge vs. forgiveness."
Michael portrayed Major Pike, the reason the Germans (and ex-Nazis) have been brought to Huntsville. Major Pike encourages the community to accept the Germans, noting the huge advancements in science their presence offers, as well as the many ways the small town can benefit economically. |
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Michael was interviewed by Myrna Petlicki to get details on the production. Read about the show, and hear Michael's thoughts here.
A Radio Play: So Far
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WIPZ Radio in Kenosha launched a new program, WIPZ RADIO PLAYS. To kick off their new show, based on the talents of current University of Wisconsin - Parkside students and alum, they selected my play SO FAR and Jarrod Langwinski's TODAY. (Personally, I find it fun to think of the combined title SO FAR TODAY.)
The two plays aired Monday, November 20, 2017. In case you missed, you can still hear both one acts in their Radio Play Premiere below! |
3rd Annual Short Play Fest!
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My original ten-minute play Thirst, an absurdist drama, was being produced through the Third Annual Short Play Festival at Skokie Theatre. The play was directed by Anna Rachel Troy, Artistic Director of Theatre Evolve. "Since February, 2014, MadKap Productions has been the resident production company and management company for the Skokie Theatre. They are dedicated to being the premier destination for live entertainment for both city and suburban residents."
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MUGGLED: Episode 13 - Once Upon a Time Turner
Starring Chase Wheaton-Werle Justin Blankenship Written By Chase Wheaton-Werle |
"The web series MUGGLED explores the relationship of non-magical everyman Curtis Baxter and his Hogwarts expelled wizard brother Barry." The finale of MUGGLED aired on YouTube March 5, 2017. Michael played the part of Geralt, a wizard sent to collect Barry Baxter, restoring him to the Wizarding World after being cast out from Hogwarts. See the end to the cult classic by clicking the link above! |
Ghost Light Theatre Group, London
Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016
Promotional trailer from Ghost Light Theatre Group's London preview, 2016.
Written when I was in college, my play FAMILY VALUES was selected by David Gasperetti, old college friend and colleague of mine, to be performed as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016!
Together, we cultivated the hour and a half long script down to fast-paced one hour thriller, earning it top marks from critics in London and Edinburgh! After a month run, it was the talk of the festival, heralded for both it's writing and direction.
Receiving an initial 5 star review in London, and then several subsequent high praises thereafter, more information on this script and a digital copy can be perused here.
Together, we cultivated the hour and a half long script down to fast-paced one hour thriller, earning it top marks from critics in London and Edinburgh! After a month run, it was the talk of the festival, heralded for both it's writing and direction.
Receiving an initial 5 star review in London, and then several subsequent high praises thereafter, more information on this script and a digital copy can be perused here.
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MadKap Productions at
Directing my own ten-minute play That's What She Said, my actors (Rachel Silvert and David Towne) and I took part in the Short Play Festival at Skokie Theatre. The event as a whole was a great success! Several theatre artists came together to showcase original plays, new directors, fresh out-of-college actors, and more. They even held a competition for the "Best of Fest," which was nail-bitingly close.
No, That's What She Said didn't take first place, but I was humbled to have our work stand firmly alongside a long-time Chicago director, Josh Johnson. |
Father of the Bride,
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