Colonial Chorus Players presents The Pillowman

Does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? That’s the question at the heart of Martin McDonagh’s dark, twisty satire The Pillowman, presented by Colonial Chorus Players October 2–11 at the Old Hose House Theater, 1249 Main Street, Reading. 

Katurian (AJ Lyman, left) is interrogated by a police officer played by Casey Preston (right) in The Pillowman at Colonial Chorus Players October 2–11. Photo courtesy of Colonial Chorus Players.

The Pillowman is set in a police interrogation room in an unnamed totalitarian state where a young writer, Katurian, is under suspicion for inciting horrific violent acts through his short stories. As Katurian attempts to defend his artistic freedom, his stories come to life on the stage through creative staging, and the audience is left to decipher their true meaning and impact.

Martin McDonagh is an award-winning Irish playwright and filmmaker known for provocative works such as The Banshees of Inisherin and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. The Pillowman is recommended for mature audiences only and contains adult language, child abuse, suicide, physical violence, ableist slurs, and other mature content.

The cast features AJ Lyman, Casey Preston, Mark Damon, Ryan March, Nick Bennett-Zendzian, Addie Pates, and Mia Imparato under the direction of Corey Cadigan. 

Advance tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors/students. In honor of CCP’s 65th anniversary this year, a special $65 ticket is available for “sapphire supporters.” Tickets at the door are $33 for adults and $25 for seniors/students and are available 30 minutes before showtime with cash or Venmo. For tickets and information, visit www.ccp1961.org.