Polarity Ensemble Books Launches the First Novel of the Chicago Storefront Theatre Scene

The Book Cellar Hosts Book Signing March 22nd

Lincoln Square’s Book Cellar Bookstore at 4736 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago hosts a reading and book signing of GIVE MY REGARDS TO NOWHERE, 7 pm March 22nd, the first day the book goes on sale. The novel is a work of comedic fiction informed by author Richard Engling’s years as an artistic director in one of Chicago’s storefront theatres.

Richard Engling
Richard Engling

“As far as we know, this is the first novel to be set in the contemporary Chicago theatre scene,” Engling says. “The book hasn’t gone on sale yet, but I’m already delighted and grateful for the reception it’s receiving. Chris Jones of the Tribune has hailed it. Mark Larson, author of ENSEMBLE, the wonderful oral history of Chicago theater. Adam Langer, the celebrated author of CYCLORAMA. And a host of others. It’s been very gratifying.”

The Book Cellar Bookstore
The Book Cellar Bookstore

GIVE MY REGARDS TO NOWHERE follows the adventures of struggling Chicago director Dwayne Finnegan who has a long shot at the big time and only two obstacles: himself and everyone he knows. Dwayne has an idea of how to direct Shakespeare’s least-favorite play that could set him on the road to Broadway, with Bob Fosse-style choreography, Jimi Hendrix-style guitars, and the hottest cast in the city of Chicago. But when the show’s producer leaves town with the cash, Dwayne decides to produce the show himself, putting his marriage and his meager finances at risk.

Books will be available for purchase at the Book Cellar event. The bookstore requests that interested attendees visit https://www.bookcellarinc.com/richard-engling-give-my-regards-nowhere to RSVP for the free event.

Give My Regards to Nowhere book cover“Richard Engling knows Chicago’s famously chaotic and glorious storefront theater scene like the back of his hand. It’s the perfect setting for absurd comic hi-jinx.” – Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune and author of RISE UP! and BIGGER, BRIGHTER, LOUDER

“A scrappy, big-hearted backstage comedy layered with mordant wit and full of a deep, abiding love for its characters, which is wholly appropriate for a story set in the scrappy, big-hearted world of Chicago theater.” – Adam Langer, author of CYCLORAMA

“A longtime denizen of Chicago’s famed storefront theater scene, Engling vividly captures the disparity between grand artistic ambition and what reality has to offer in this very funny, briskly written, and often touching book.” – Mark Larson, author of ENSEMBLE, AN ORAL HISTORY OF CHICAGO THEATER