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New play to debut about Stu Levine

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Illinois

* From a press release…

During the federal investigation of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, one of the biggest stories became the unsavory life of political insider and star government witness, Stuart Levine. As the judge said at Levine’s sentencing: “you are certainly one of the most corrupt individuals this district has ever seen.”

The tawdry and salacious headlines about Levine - bribes, kickbacks, sex, drugs, and E-cigarettes - grabbed the attention of actor and writer Tim Touhy, a native Chicagoan and lifelong political junkie. Touhy also worked as a senior communications staffer for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and a former Governor of Illinois (Republican Jim Edgar). Using court transcripts, news articles and group devising techniques, Touhy and The Agency’s Artistic Director, Andrew Gallant, put together this ground-breaking work.

“This is not the story of how the feds caught up with Rod Blagojevich; frankly, who cares anymore,” said Touhy. “This is a story of how one man yanked the business-as-usual politics of Chicago and Illinois out from behind the curtain and put them on display for the world to see.”

“I Wish to Apologize to the People of Illinois” is the name of the play. It premieres at Collaboraction’s Pentagon Theatre in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee…

Previews Oct. 31 - Nov. 3; press opening Nov 7; runs Nov. 8 - Dec. 8. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM; Sunday matinees at 3 PM.

Maybe we should do a group outing? Some of you may remember that I once held a party at the “How the Blagojegrinch Stole Christmas” play a few years back.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:36 am

Comments

Levine will probably sue for royalties. If he hasn’t already.

Comment by Keep Calm and Carry On Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:39 am
You propose this on the day the Purple Hotel finally meets the wrecking ball? I have had enough “ehwww” moments already the last few days with all the news coverage reminding us of Stu and past.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:40 am
Just want to give credit where it’s due. The play is by The Agency Theater Collective: http://www.wearetheagency.org/shows/iwishtoapologize/

Comment by Joan P. Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:49 am
Who will play Bruce Rauner?

Comment by northshorecynic Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:49 am
Only in IL would we make entertainment out of someone fleecing taxpayers for years, all the while his friends, cronies, and accomplices are still running the real show a.k.a. the IL government.

Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:49 am
I am “all in”…

Love to see this play on a stage.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:51 am
‘Only in IL would we make entertainment out of someone fleecing taxpayers for years, all the while his friends, cronies, and accomplices are still running the real show a.k.a. the IL government.’

Yea, Hollywood really hasn’t caught onto the crime genre yet.

Comment by Chi Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:55 am
Who will play John Kass?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:56 am
–Only in IL would we make entertainment out of someone fleecing taxpayers for years, all the while his friends, cronies, and accomplices are still running the real show a.k.a. the IL government.–

C’mon, man. I think Sophocles and Shakespeare beat him to it on the whole studies of corruption thing.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 11:20 am
=“I Wish to Apologize to the People of Illinois”=

Is this the name of the play or Pat Quinn’s campaign slogan?

Comment by Knome Sane Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 11:32 am
Many Republicans like to point partisan fingers when it comes to corruption. It would be useful for them to see this play to be reminded about the bipartisan nature of corruption. And how “one of the most corrupt individuals this district has ever seen” is a Republican.

Comment by reformer Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 11:38 am
Rod & Patti Blagojevich ruined so many lives of good, honest and hard working Illinoians. 14 years in the slammer is not enough.

Comment by Just sayin' Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 11:52 am
Who will play ERV?
Who will play those who first bought Stouie to IL government?

This could be a great group event
Maybe we could bring the plan to the Hogland Center

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 11:54 am
Mr/Ms JustSayin
Stu Levine was flyin’ high long before Blagoof came on the scene

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 12:17 pm
How the Blagojegrinch Stole Christmas was a lot of fun. This sounds even better- I’d be in.

Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 12:50 pm
Milwaukee? Why not show it in Chicago or Springfield, IL?

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 1:19 pm
===Milwaukee?===

It’s a street in Chicago. Wow, you must be a confirmed Downstater.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 1:22 pm
I’ll take two tickets Rich

Comment by LaySale Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 3:41 pm
“Yes, I read your script…No, I liked it … No, I wanted to call …yes, its interesting … Oh I liked that …yes, the casting list … got that …no …

…the reason I am calling is that I wanted to thank you for sending it in, but its just not believeable …yes, not believeable.

(pause)

No. Way.

Verbatim?

(pause)

Let me call you back …”

True stories are NEVER believable ….Its harder to write about actual events, then to make them up. This play being based on transcripts …I am all about it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 3:56 pm
Rich: call it. I’ll be there for sure.

Comment by walkinfool Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 5:02 pm
This thread reminded me that we haven’t had a “who would play….” in a while. I always liked those.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 27, 13 @ 10:14 pm