Christopher Wayland and Cassidy Slaughter-Mason in “The Luckiest” at Raven Theatre in Chicago through June 26. (Photo: Michael Brosilow)
The Columbia College Chicago Alumni Relations office hosts a special Columbia College Alumni Network Night at Chicago’s award-winning Raven Theatre on Thursday, June 2, 2022, for a performance of the acclaimed Chicago premiere of The Luckiest, directed by Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department alum Cody Estle ’11. The evening includes special discount tickets to the production, as well as a post-show talkback with Estle and social gathering for Columbia College Alumni Network members. For Columbia College Alumni Network tickets to the June 2 performance, click here – and use the promo code provided to members of the Alumni Network!
Not a member of the Columbia College Alumni Network? Click here to join! And for information about Columbia College Theatre Alumni and Friends activities, click here.
The performance of the 90-minute play begins at 7:30 PM. Raven Theatre is located at 6157 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Raven Theatre is part of the Edgewater Andersonville Theatre District.
Melissa Ross’ play The Luckiest, full of heartbreak and hilarity, focuses on Lissette and Peter, best friends living their best lives. But when an out-of-nowhere diagnosis shatters Lissette’s world, Peter is left trying to pick up the pieces. This tender, funny, and keenly-observed play explores the uncertain and sometimes heartbreaking territory of how we choose to take ownership of our lives. The production has received positive reviews from critics for the Chicago Tribune, NewCity, and the Chicago Reader, whose critic noted: “When everyone on the stage is excellent, it shows a director fully in command of the material.”
Cody Estle (Photo: Joe Mazza)
“I’m thrilled to share the exciting work we’re doing with my fellow Columbia alums,” says Estle, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Directing program. “This play is a funny and warm portrait of the journey of life that we take with our friends.”
“The Luckiest is a humorously moving portrait of an independent young woman diagnosed with a serious illness,” adds Estle. “Having lived life on her own terms, she continues to do so after her diagnosis as she navigates the constraints of her new life. The writing is a gift to actors – the characters are well defined, the language specific and nuanced.”
As previously reported in this blog, Estle was appointed artistic director of Raven Theatre in 2017 after joining the company as associate artistic director in 2014. He has also directed shows at Northlight, Shattered Globe, Haven, Strawdog, Mary-Arrchie, and other Chicago-area theatres.
Jesse Klug
Sam Hubbard (Photo: Ian McLaren)
Ashley Keys
Besides Estle, Columbia College alums on the production team for The Luckiest include lighting designer Jesse Klug ’05, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Design Program; movement coach Sam Hubbard ’12, a graduate of the Theatre Department’s BFA Program in Acting; and assistant director Ashley Keys ’22, also a graduate of the Theatre Department’s Theatre Directing program.
For Columbia College Alumni Network tickets to the June 2 performance of The Luckiest and the post-show social gathering and talkback, click here and use the promo code provided to Alumni Network members for $10 off!
