Pirates of Penzance

“Ambitious, risk-taking, self-aware, original-adaptation loving, off-Loop company with a style very much its own.” - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

The Hypocrites was founded in 1997 to ask the audience to take a different look at theater. We strive to create a theatrical experience that remains with the audience and affects the individual’s life. Since the company’s founding, we have produced over 50 mainstage productions securing 23 Jeff Citations and 2 After Dark Awards. We hope you enjoy Pirates of Penzance. For more information about The Hypocrites or to learn about ways to become involved, please e-mail: megan@the-hypocrites.com.

The Hypocrites is supported in part by The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, The Alphawood Foundation, The Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The Boeing Company, The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, The Jordan & Jean Nerenberg Fund for the Future, Peoples Gas and WPB, the Special Service Area for the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods.

Halena Kays, Artistic Director
Megan Wildebour, Managing Director
Sean Graney, Founding Artistic Director

Company Members

Miranda Anderson
Ryan Bollettino
Ryan Bourque
Walter Briggs
Geoff Button
John Byrnes
Maria DeFabo
Tien Doman
Kurt Ehrmann
Maggie Fullilove-Nugent
Lindsey Gavel
Samantha Gleisten
Sean Graney
Greg Hardigan
Matt Kahler
Halena Kays
Donna McGough
Robert McLean
Mechelle Moe
Jim Moore
Justine Palmisano
Alison Siple
Michael Smallwood
Stacy Stoltz
Christine Stulik
Zeke Sulkes
Megan Wildebour
Steven Wilson

Board Members

Bob Webb, President
Deb Oestreicher, Vice President
Jeannie Bernier, Treasurer
Erik Schroeder, Secretary
Odile Compagnon
Esther Grimm
Jason LaBelle
Bart Lazar
Jim Markus
Nancy Needles
Francis Sadac
Alexander Gail Shermansong
Lisa Szkatulski

Artistic Associates

Michael Griggs
Jared Moore
Kevin O’Donnell

Sean Graney is a director, writer, and adapter, and is the Founding Director of The Hypocrites, a Chicago theater company where he was the Artistic Director for 14 years and has helmed over 40 productions. He was a participant in the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors and has won four Joseph Jefferson Awards. His work has been seen at American Repertory Theater, Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman Theatre, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Court Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Steppenwolf for Young Audiences, and Chicago Children’s Theatre.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Kevin is an Artistic Associate with The Hypocrites. His work in Chicago has earned 8 Jeff Awards (20 nominations), and 2 consecutive After Dark Awards (Outstanding Season). He is also a company member with The House Theatre of Chicago, where his original song-cycle Ploughed Under is currently running.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Kevin is an Artistic Associate with The Hypocrites. His work in Chicago has earned 8 Jeff Awards (20 nominations), and 2 consecutive After Dark Awards (Outstanding Season). He is also a company member with The House Theatre of Chicago, where his original song-cycle Ploughed Under is currently running.

Sean Graney is a director, writer, and adapter, and is the Founding Director of The Hypocrites, a Chicago theater company where he was the Artistic Director for 14 years and has helmed over 40 productions. He was a participant in the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors and has won four Joseph Jefferson Awards. His work has been seen at American Repertory Theater, Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman Theatre, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Court Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Steppenwolf for Young Audiences, and Chicago Children’s Theatre.

A.R.T.: Debut. Chicago credits include: Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Court, Northlight. The Hypocrites include: Woyzeck, No Exit, Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses. Tom has received four Jeff nominations (one win), and three After Dark Awards. Additional credits: NYC: Mistakes Were Made, Barrow St. Theatre; St.Louis Repertory, Milwaukee Repertory, Actors Theatre Louisville, Williamstown.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Recent work: The Mystery of Irma Vep (Equity Jeff Award), Court Theatre; Ivywild: The True Tall Tales of Bathhouse John, Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses, Cabaret (Non-Equity Jeff Award), The Hypocrites; Our Town, Huntington Theatre, Broad Stage, Barrow Street, The Hypocrites. Recipient of a 2011 3Arts Grant, company member of The Hypocrites, Artistic Associate with Lookingglass, and Associate Company member of Steep Theatre. 

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Lighting credits: Coriolanus, Fall of the House of Usher, Sophocles: Seven: Sicknesses, No Exit, Oedipus, Mud, True West, Hypocrites; The Hairy Ape, Hypocrites/Goodman Theatre; Carmen.Maquia, 18+1, Walk-In, Presente, Luna Negra Dance Theater; Arcadia, Touch, Curse of the Starving Class, New Leaf Theatre. Awards: seven Joseph Jefferson Award (Non-Equity)—Chicago.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Mrs. Smith Presents... Off-Broadway: Mrs. Smith Presents a Benefit for The Carlyle Foundation Empowerment School for People and Cats With Severe and Persistent Challenges, Ars Nova. Regional: Sugar, Arts Emerson; Memorial, Pulp, The Women, Provincetown; Fully Committed, The Year of Magical Thinking, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Raisin in the Sun, The Oath, 39 Steps, Weston Playhouse.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. The Hypocrites Company Member who is captivated by creating stories through props. In Chicago, Maria is the props designer at Lookingglass Theatre and many other storefront theaters. She would love to talk about how props make the world a better place.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Musical Director for the Theatre Department at Columbia College Chicago. As a music director, vocal coach, arranger and pianist, Andra has worked with dozens of companies in Chicago, productions including: Camino Real, The Iceman Cometh, The Goodman Theatre; The Hundred Dresses, Goodnight Moon, Chicago Children’s Theatre.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Miranda has been with these Pirates from the start. A company member with The Hypocrites, where she stage managed a number of shows, including: Mikado and Sophocles: Seven Sicknesses. Much love and thanks to everyone who has helped her get here (BVA, MP, MG, LK)!

A.R.T.: Debut. Credits include: The Mikado, The Hypocrites; James Joyce’s The Dead, Court Theatre; Idomeneus, Theories of the Sun, SideShow Theatre Company; Fanny Brice, Asolo Repertory; Hair, Paramount Theatre; CPS Romeo and Juliet, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; 48 Hour Musicals, The Music Theatre Company; The Who’s Tommy, Northwestern University.

A.R.T.: Debut. Emerging America Festival: Pirates of Penzance. Musical Director for the Theatre Department at Columbia College Chicago. As a music director, vocal coach, arranger and pianist, Andra has worked with dozens of companies in Chicago, productions including: Camino Real, The Iceman Cometh, The Goodman Theatre; The Hundred Dresses, Goodnight Moon, Chicago Children’s Theatre.