Smartphones by Emilio Williams

Be prepared for the Absurd and the Ridiculous, as well as moments of thoughtful reflection, in Emilio Williams’s quirky pocket-size farce ‘Smartphones’.
This modern surreal play deconstructs relations between four egocentric individuals addicted to social media and self-gratification. Two couples and their precarious worlds get too close for comfort stuck in a house of their elusive friend, who may never arrive. While waiting for Fede and pestering their smartphones to “death,” the group begin to lose their cool. The lies are exposed, masks dropped, secret desires revealed in this fast paced comedy too ridiculous to be true, or is it?
About Emilio Williams
Emilio Williams’ plays have been produced in Spain, Argentina, France, Estonia, the United Kingdom and the United States (including productions and performances in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles).
His most recent comedy, Your Problem with Men, was produced by Teatro Luna in Chicago, and has traveled to New York City, Los Angeles and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2012, his one woman show, Medea’s Got Some Issues, received “Best International Show” at United Solo Festival, Off Broadway, New York City. That same year, his comedy Smartphones – a pocket-size farce, received its world premiere at Trap Door Theatre in Chicago. The book was published as part of the anthology New Plays from Spain by Siegel Center. In 2010, his “dramedy,” Tables and Beds, an unromantic comedy, was selected among 80 plays from 12 countries as the winner of the 4th Premio El Espectáculo Teatral.
Emilio has degrees in journalism and in film and video. In the 1990’s, he worked for CNN in Atlanta and Washington. He worked for The Johns Hopkins University between 2001 and 2011. In 2011, he moved permanently to Chicago, the city where his father was born. He currently works for The University of Chicago developing the international business of its healthcare enterprise.
Smartphones by Emilio Williams
Cast:
- Amelia – Ariana Almajan
- Barnaby – Tekle Ghebremeschel
- Dagobert – Shravan Amin
- Chantal – Moriah Whiteman
- Maid – Hanna Bondarewska
Production:
- Production Manager – Shawn Lyles
- Music/Sound – Gabriel Dib
- Set Designer – David Ghatan
- Costume Designer – Lynly Saunders
- Literary Director – Eliza Anna Falk
- Stage Manager – Michelle Taylor
Opening reception on October 22 at 8 pm. Special Q&A after the show with author Emilio Williams, director Joe Banno and actors on October 24 at 8 pm.