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Athenaeum Center presents

Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot

October 13–29, 2023
 
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About the Show

Hamlet famously reminds us:

There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in our Philosophy.

Nobel Prize winning Poet T. S. Eliot had never forgotten.  Drawing on Judeo-Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu imagery, his Four Quartets is a beautiful exploration of the spirit, a blazing journey into time and eternity and the heart of creation written by one of our finest poets at the height of his powers.

T. S. Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature 75 years ago this November.  Come see why.  

Journey with us into the heart of creation.

Advisory: Strobe lighting effects and the sound of sirens and exploding ordnance are used in the show.

Featuring

Mike McShane

Mike McShane

Stage Manager & Lighting Designer

Mike Rogalski

Mike Rogalski

Peggy Garvey

Peggy Garvey

Assistant Director

Critical Praise

“‘Four Quartets,’ Eliot’s late masterpiece, is as thought-provoking and evocative as poetry gets. Written mostly during the dark early years of the Second World War, the poem first brought hope and comfort to soldiers and to a public terrorized by the Blitz. In the uncertain world we inhabit today, Four Quartets is as timely as ever.”
— David E. Chinitz, Professor and Chair of the English Department at Loyola University, Chicago, and author of “T. S. Eliot and the Cultural Divide” (University of Chicago Press, 2003)

Audience Reaction

“I attended last night and was very impressed. ... I admired the great talent of the actor transforming an intellectual poem into a play, with an impressive voice, body language and memory! This show is highly recommended. I sent a link to my Chicago friends and I'm trying to figure out how to bring it to Los Angeles.”
— Maja T.
“What a tour de force! Michael Rogalski's performance was brilliant!”
— Michael L.
“The experience was thrilling!”
— Richard C.

Gallery

A Message of Support from Obie Award winning actor and Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant

Kathleen Chalfant:  Obie Award winner (for Lifetime Achievement, Wit, Talking Heads), Tony Award and Drama Desk nominee (Angels in America), and Narrator in choreographer Pam Tanowitz' celebrated 'Four Quartets' 

You might like this if you like...
  • Shows with existential themes like The Good Place
  • Movies that explore the intricacies of time like Interstellar
  • Any of T.S. Eliot's other works, such as The Waste Land and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Oct 27th

Fri

7:30pm

Oct 28th

Sat

4:00pm

Oct 28th

Sat

7:30pm

Oct 29th

Sun

3:00pm

Event Details

Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission
Ages: All ages
Performance Space: Black Box Studio A
Address: 2936 N Southport Ave.
Parking: behind the building on Oakdale, and south of the building on Southport
Purchase Tickets

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Theatre

2936 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Contact / FAQ

(312) 820-6250
info@athenaeumcenter.org

About Us

The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is registered 501(c)3 non-profit.

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Dante 360

“Midway upon the journey of our life, I found myself within a forest dark, for the straightforward pathway had been lost.” 

And so we all begin—in darkness.

Join Dante on his most famous journey through the depths of hell, levels upon levels of purgatory, finally discovering the light and glory of paradise. You will find terror in the wild beasts he meets along the way; and only moments later great hope at the strong woman, Beatrice, who leads him always upwards.

This contemporary staged performances of one of the most epic stories of the western world is an immersive, multi-dimensional production that leads you into Dante’s universe. Returning to the stage for the 4th year, this year’s production.

It’s heaven. It’s hell. But above all, it’s worth the trip.

November 8–10, 2024

Learn More