Pictured (center, l to r): Erik Pearson and Bridget Adams-King with (l to r) Sarah Beth Tanner, T.J. Anderson, Mike Mazzocca, Kelan M. Smith, Josiah Robinson, Amanda Giles, Joey Harbert and Melanie Vitaterna. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

Following a five-week run at The Den Theatre’s Heath Main Stage, Underscore Theatre Company, in association with Theater Wit has announced a transfer and extension of the musical HAYMARKET, the true story of Chicago’s infamous Haymarket Riot.

“Haymarket is a story of the power of people working together to change the world,” said Laura Stratford, Underscore’s Artistic Director, “I’m thrilled that, through the hard work of our staff and ensemble, we are able to partner with Theater Wit to bring this story to a larger audience. The timing is especially meaningful to Underscore because this extension is a fitting send-off to our Founding Artistic Director Alex Higgin-Houser, the production’s book writer and lyricist, who begins his MFA in Musical Theatre Writing at NYU Tisch in the fall. Since our founding, Alex has encouraged Underscore to think big, work hard and take risks. I can imagine no more appropriate time for our first transfer and extension than right now, and no more fitting project to do it with than his passion project and love song to the Chicago labor movement.”

The full original cast returns for the extension: Bridget Adams-King as Lucy Parsons, Erik Pearson as Albert Parsons, T.J. Anderson as August Spies, Joey Harbert as Louis Lingg, Josiah Robinson as Adolph Fischer, Mike Mazzocca as George Engel, Sarah Beth Tanner as Jane Engel, Amanda Giles as Nina Van Zandt, Melanie Vitaterna as Joanna Fischer and Kelan M. Smith, Eric Loughlin and Elleon Dobias as the Pick Chorus.

The production team includes Eric Luchen (scenic designer), Christina Leinicke (costume designer), Erik Barry (lighting designer), Brandon Reed (sound designer), Kate Cuellar (dramaturg), Jena Sugay (assistant director), Andy Lynn and Ellen Domonkos White (co-production managers) Josh Prishing (technical director) and Kristin Mazzocca (stage manager).

HAYMARKET is a new folk and bluegrass musical, telling the story of the late 1800s labor unrest in Chicago, where striking workers clashed with the police force, resulting in an act of terror, a corrupt trial and the death of five innocent men.

HAYMARKET will play four weeks of performances at Theater Wit, August 3 – September 2. For more information visit underscoretheatre.org.