Coming of Age in Chore Boots Opens November 29

Iowa City – "Janet Schlapkohl, writer, director and frequent Walking the Wire performer shares her memories of growing up in the Midwest. Stories both hilarious and poignant emerge—from the local characters of the Waspi Women’s Club, back-to-the-landers and early Lamaze advocates, to Vietnam and the farm crisis. This world premiere is directed by Tim Budd.

Shows run at Riverside Theatre, Thursday – Sunday, November 29 – December 8, 2013. Tickets: Adults, $25-30; Youth/Student Rush, $15. More information at riversidetheatre.org, or by calling the Riverside Theatre Box Office, 319-338-7672. Riverside Theatre is located at 213 N. Gilbert Street, Iowa City, Iowa.

About the Play

“It celebrates the survival of humor and good nature found in the silence and pauses in conversation of the people who experienced the Farm Crisis. People are drawn to these stories like they’re drawn to old photographs of farming. They remember the idiosyncrasies and the effort with a great fondness.” –playwright Janet Schlapkohl

On Directing a One-Woman Show

“Directing a play with only one actor seems more personal than doing so with several cast members. The actor and director are working in tandem to shape the piece, especially when the actress is also the playwright. Janet and I have both performed in several of Riverside's Walking the Wire productions, so I've admired and enjoyed her work for years. It's a wonderful opportunity for both of us to work on a full-length play together.” –director Tim Budd

Janet Schlapkohl- Playwright Biography

Janet Schlapkohl received her M.F.A. in Playwriting from the University of Iowa. She also has an M.S. in Education from the University of Iowa and a B.S. in Biology with minors in English, Chemistry, and Education from Iowa State University. She is the founder of Combined Efforts Theatre, director of Country Camp, LLC and the recipient of the Isabelle Turner Human Rights Award, the Richard Maibaum Award, and the Finkbine Award for Human Rights. She is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Iowa.

Her plays have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Colorado, and across Iowa. She has performed her monologues and one woman shows at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City and at the Looby Theatre in Nashville. She has also worked as a Director, a Dramaturge, a Scenic Artist, and a Costume Designer.

Performance Schedule

Show dates:
Fri/Sat/Sun Nov 29 – Dec 1
Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun Dec 5 – 8
Show times: All Thurs-Sat shows, 7:30PM; Sunday shows at 2:00PM

Post-performance talk back: Sunday, Dec 1"

(Source: Riverside Theatre Press Release)