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Athenaeum Center Theatre presents

Dante 360

It’s Heaven. It’s Hell. It’s Worth the Trip.
November 8-10, 2024
 
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About the Show

Dante 360 takes you on a journey through Dante’s Divine Comedy in an immersive, multi-dimensional experience. Blending theater, visual art, and music, Dante 360 brings to life on stage the epic journey Dante takes through Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory, inviting audiences to explore themes of human and divine love, redemption, and the afterlife.

With new faces and innovative design, our fourth production of the show promises to bring new energy and depth to this beloved Athenaeum Center original. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of The Divine Comedy or experiencing it for the first time, Dante 360 invites you to journey with Dante in a captivating, multi-sensory performance, and encounter one of literature’s greatest stories in a whole new way.

This whirlwind journey is a feast for the eyes and ears, the heart and the soul—a true immersion in the unchanging Beauty of the world.

The path to Paradise begins in Hell. Save your seat today and experience this timeless story on stage this November.

Show Trailer

Why Dante?

“I was sitting one day in our Historic Main Stage looking up at the top of the proscenium arch, where Dante and Beatrice, as depicted in the Divine Comedy, are on full display.  Immediately it it occurred to me that we needed to bring Dante Alighieri's work to the world. The Italian Redemptorists brought him center stage when constructing the theatre in 1911 and it was now our turn to continue with that legacy, as a patron to our beloved Center. November is a significant time for Catholics to remember those who came before us and this November we celebrate 112 years of our historical building and three years of our organization's founding. We hope you join us on a journey through this epic tale.” —Lawrence Daufenbach, show creator and executive director of the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture.

Featuring

Elizabeth Lev

Elizabeth Lev

Art Historian / Guide

Katie Wasserman

Katie Wasserman

Francesca

Curtis Powell

Curtis Powell

Narrator

Josh Leeper

Josh Leeper

Dante

Sierra Buffum

Sierra Buffum

Beatrice

Mike Rogalski

Mike Rogalski

Virgil / St. Peter

Jerome Marzullo

Jerome Marzullo

St. Bernard

Chris Anthony

Chris Anthony

Bonconte / Paolo

Rachel Herriges

Rachel Herriges

Piccarda

Jennifer Hessel

Jennifer Hessel

Pia

Jared Goudsmit

Jared Goudsmit

Omberto

Philip J. Macaluso

Philip J. Macaluso

Oderisi

Benjamin Jouras

Benjamin Jouras

Count Ugolino

Schola Antiqua

Schola Antiqua

Chorus

Production Team

Lawrence DaufenbachPlaywright / Creator / Co-Director
Peggy GarveyCo-Director
Elizabeth LevPlaywright / Art Historian
Rachel HenneberryStage Manager
Naava Ofri-AkmanAssistant Stage Manager
Mike GoebelProduction Manager / Technical Director
Angela KvitekLighting Designer
Rosalie ArendsCostumer
Steve LabedzSound Designer
Sarah HensleyChoreographer
Kevin HaganScenic Designer
Sarah KnokeLighting Board Operator
Florence BorowskiAudio Head
Emmett WickershamA2
Kieran O’ConnorMaster Carpenter
Malia HunterRail Operator
Grace ReynoldsProps

Critical Praise

Audience Reaction

“Dante 360 had all the flavors of art you expect to see at the Athenaeum Center for the upcoming years. The blend of music and art, along with Elizabeth Lev’s scholarly words was the perfect mix of artistic mediums.”
— Taylor L.
“It really struck a cord, this is what has been missing in the Chicago arts atmosphere. Bringing back the classics.”
— Todd V.
“It was excellent, hauntingly beautiful and thought provoking.”
— Stephanie T.
“Brilliant, perfect, set, acting, implementation & effects!”
— Julia P.
“Well done! Captures the spirit and artistry of The Divine Comedy.”
— John T.
“The show was magnificent—the writing, the actors, the performance, everything.”
— Lisette A.

You might like this if you like...

  • Stories that take you on a journey like The Illiad and The Odyssey
  • Dramatic historical fiction series like Lord of the Rings, The Medici or The Tudors
  • Books that explore themes of morality like The Confessions of St. Augustine
  • The works of Italian Renaissance artists like Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci

Showtimes

This production has ended

Event Details

Doors Open: 45 minutes before show begins
Running Time: ~160 minutes including intermission
Ages: All ages
Performance Space: Historic Main Stage
Address: 2936 N Southport Ave
Parking: Free parking behind the building on Oakdale, and South of the building on Southport
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Dante 360 opening this weekend!

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Our ticketing system is undergoing a scheduled maintenance October 7, 5:00AM–12:00PM. We regret to inform you that you will be unable to purchase tickets during this time.

We look forward to serving you better with this update!

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An Evening with Dennis Quaid

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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

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