Former Beverly Resident Returns to Appear at Greenhouse Theater

Former Beverly resident Marie McGee, who now resides in Tennessee, is returning to Chicago as one of seven cast members sharing their stories in Tellin’ Tales Theatre presents Divercity: Refocusing Disabilities. The show runs June 9-11, 2023 - at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago.

Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. The Sunday matinee will include sign language interpretation, audio description and an after show talk back. Tickets are $20 for General Admission and $15 for Students/Disabled. Go to Greenhousetheater.org or call 773-404-7336.

Stories were developed and directed in a seven-week Master Class taught by Tellin' Tales Artistic Director Tekki Lomnicki, assisted by Ben Saylor. All of the performers are writers, actors and advocates with disabilities, from Chicago, Oak Park, Cicero and Tennessee. They are Janet Anne., Joel Margolis, Marie McGee, Mark Peloquin, Ben Saylor, Kruti Shah and Hugo Trevino. Stories include a day in the adventurous life of a wheelchair user, the evils of masks for a hard-of-hearing pregnant mother, coming out as gay with a disability and more.

About Marie McGee:
Marie McGee was born in Mississippi and raised in Los Angeles and Chicago. She currently resides in Córdova Tennessee but is thrilled to be back in Chicago for this production and to see her many family and friends in Beverly.

McGee is a writer and entrepreneur who loves to ski, write, read history, to listen to live music and to model. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, and loves to laugh and to inspire kids about their future. McGee's professional career has evolved from being an accountant, business manager, human resources director, insurance agent and now an elementary teacher. Her educational achievements include a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in teaching.

“Throw away any preconceived notions you have about disability because these performers demonstrate that whether their disability is visible or hidden, they show how alike we all are when we share our stories,” says Artistic Director Tekki Lomnicki.

The mission of Tellin' Tales Theatre is to shatter barriers between the disabled and non-disabled worlds through the transformative power of personal story. We bring together children and adults from both communities to share their stories in theatrically innovative productions and programs to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance.

Divercity is partially supported by grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation and the Seabury Foundation.