No set. No props. No shoes. In twenty-three year old Cliff Chamberlain’s one-person play paper dreams and plastic promises, (which Colin Covert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune called “A must-see”) imagination takes center stage. Dressed simply in white shirt and black pants, Chamberlain recreates his childhood using a unique blend of mime, stand-up comedy, and perspective storytelling. It is this combination of devices (along with the fact that there is nothing else to distract the audience’s attention) that encourages the active and imaginative participation of theatre-goers while watching paper dreams and plastic promises. Through exploring and defining what it is that Chamberlain lives to do, he reminds the audience of their dreams, their imagination, and their sense of play. paper dreams and plastic promises has entertained audiences and garnered critical praise across the U.S. for over two years, playing to sold-out houses in California, Vermont, Virginia, and Minnesota. Don’t miss this fun, exciting, and unforgettable trip down memory lane!

This four week run is the Chicago premiere of Chamberlain’s new play, as well as the inaugural production of Chicago’s newest theatre company, Sandbox Theatre Project. STP, comprised of artists located in (but not originally from) Chicago, is a company that “exists to make an emotional impact by illuminating those situations, questions, and varied points of view that are significant to our generation. By embracing the relationship between actor, audience, and space as a forum for artistic risk, Sandbox Theatre Project seeks to create a new kind of theatre for a new generation of theatre-goers.” Chicago: Sandbox is now open for playing.

WHEN: Performance dates are June 5th - 29th, Thursday-Saturday at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM

TICKETS: For tickets visit www.ticketmaster.com, call (312) 902-1500, or buy them at the door. Prices are $12 general, $9 students, and $10 for seniors

from Cities prior to Chicago run

Minneapolis Star Tribune
Monday August 5, 2002
'Paper Dreams' unfolds as a must-see by Colin Covert

"Get ready for a wild ride. Cliff Chamberlain's autobiographical show, "Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises" traces his life from conception to early adulthood with frenetic energy and uproarious humor. The opening sketch, in which a nervous sperm cell applies for the inseminator position, sets the tone for a 90-minute roller coaster of dead-on observations about crazy families and painfully accurate recollections of childhood anxieties and collegiate growing pains. There is even a dramatic thread of suspense in the performance. The vignettes are linked by a sort of electronic heartbeat that suggests a life-support system-it turns out to be something quit like that but unexpectedly different. A must-see."

Audience Reviews from the
Minnesota Fringe Festival
August, 2002

"***MUST SEE***: Hilarious pop culture references abound while we vicariously peer into the life of a growing child. Though it's a specifically detailed illustration of Cliff's life, every name, place, song, game, cookie, and bad fashion choice rings familiar in every listening ear.

Cliff's boundless mix of playfully surreal energy, raw depth, and unapologetically realistic accounts cleverly intertwine through over-the-top slapstick and profound prose. His performance touches, astounds, amuses, and attempts to demystify aspects of the often awkward, bizarre, and heart breaking absurdity that is adolescence. I'm personally blown away by this first-time Fringer, and can't wait to see what he'll come up with next."
-Sarah S. (Posted on Aug. 8)

"Rivetting presentation of so much in so little time!: This is an amazing actor, talented in many realms, and delivering it all with punch, drive and incredible dynamics that will rivet your wide eyed attention to his. It is a not to miss! Cliff has a great future in front of him, beginning with such playful and thoughtful force. His performance is fun. And amazing!"
-Lisa G. (Posted on Aug. 6)

"Pure magic and magically pure: Honestly, it was fantastic! While very fun and lighthearted at times, this show was a truly uplifting and even an inspirational experience. Mr. Chamberlain's ... I mean, Cliff's performance shines with diversity and incredible commitment and energy. The writing sparkles with sudden bursts of absolute genius. Please - see this show and tell him to come back again. And again, and again..."
-Mikhail F. (Posted on Aug. 6)

"An absolute sensation: I entered the venue not knowing what to expect, the flyers and program description made the show sound somewhat more childish than I would usually prefer to sit through. But I was enticed to attend regardless, and I was as far from disappointed as a human being can be. Very physical, very VERY clever (you WON'T understand exactly what's going on until the end), and very, very well done. Cliff is an amazing character -- rather, series of characters. I don't think I so much as blinked the entire time I was there -- an hour of just watching him bound across the stage could be marketed as a weight loss aid. He's an out-of-towner, so catch this one while you can. Highly, highly recommended."
-Curt L. (Posted on Aug. 5)

"Cliff Chamberlain is going to be famous someday SOON.: Again, as I was after "Attack of the Killer What Ifs", I am nearly speechless. I am agog at Cliff Chamberlain, who, at the ridiculously prodigal age of 22, has written a one-man show so clever, honest, smart, ebullient and energetic it rivals anything I could imagine seeing on a $50-ticket New York stage. Cliff's energy and radiance and obvious delight at performing could fuel a jet engine, which is all fantastic in itself...combined with the fact that his material (90 minutes of it!!!) is truly original and his wit is brilliantly smart, mature (not a poop or fart joke to be found) and non-pandering...the result is just, well, superlative after superlative. I realize that as I write this, Cliff is already peforming at the Virginia fringe festival, but please -- watch for this man's career to skyrocket. He has it all -- brains, creativity, movement skills, writing talent, and, yes, a pretty darn irresistable physical container for it all...he'll be back."
-Amy S. (Posted on Aug. 10)

"This Show Blew Me AWAY!!!: 'Paper dreams and Plastic Promises' was such a remarkable experience. Cliff Chamberlain not only captivated me for 90 minutes, but he made me laugh, he made me tear up a bit, and most of all he inspired me. I was not surprised that Cliff was a good physical performer, but what did surprise me was how wonderfully the show was written and how much passion Cliff had for the message behind the play. I'll I can say is --I'm jumping in the next puddle I see! If you can, see this play! Cliff Chamberlain is a true up and coming talent."
-Rick R. (Posted on Aug. 8)

"Let the Good Times Roll!!!: I had a blast at this show- I could really really relate to the comedy here. It is all about growing up with a brother- Oh brother, do I know what that's like! So, for anyone with siblings and a heart, please go see this show and laugh yourself silly..."
-michael k. (Posted on Aug. 10)

Modesto Bee
February, 2003
Enthusiasm Steals One-man Show
by Lisa Millegan

"STOCKTON -- I'm usually skeptical about one-man shows. It's hard to make them entertaining unless the performer is wildly charismatic, like Robin Williams. Manteca native Cliff Chamberlain isn't quite that manic, but he is funny and his hilarious autobiographical show, "paper dreams and plastic promises," now playing at the Actors Lab, proves that the format can work.

Moving at a frantic pace, Chamberlain, 23, re-enacts scenes of his life from his conception to his 21st birthday. He sets the tone right from the beginning by throwing himself on the ground, impersonating a spermatozoon. Over the next two hours, he does cartwheels, bicycle sit-ups and push-ups, performs Michael Jackson dance moves and speaks in Massachusetts, California and English accents. And that's just for starters. He talks about the simple pleasures of childhood (Peter Pan peanut butter, fort building, Nintendo) and the pains of growing up (striving for girls' attention, trying to be cool). He jokes about his rivalry with his better-looking, more athletic younger brother Travis and offers a priceless description of Chamberlain Thanksgiving celebrations: the family is divided into eccentrics, "hippie-trippy" people from San Francisco, Mormons ("to spice things up") and athletes.

Chamberlain uses no costumes, sets, props or special lighting and performs the entire show barefoot, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and gray pants. But his live-wire energy is so infectious that it immediately draws you in. His self-effacing, earnest demeanor is charming, and his jokes are smart and insightful. The show runs a little too long and is hard to follow in parts. Some of Chamberlain's mimes and vocal sound effects are difficult to decipher. But his enthusiasm makes up for the deficiencies. Chamberlain wrote "paper dreams" for an honors project at the University of California at Santa Barbara and has since performed it at the Minneapolis Fringe Festival, the Virginia Commonwealth Festival, St. Michael's College in Vermont and Manteca High School. Next month, he will perform the show at the Single File Solo Festival in Chicago. Older audience members should be warned that "paper dreams" is heavy on 1990s pop-culture references. At least one senior citizen in Saturday night's audience was lost. But this show will hit the mark for others interested in seeing something fresh from a bright, young talent.

Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan can be reached at 578-2313 or lmillegan@modbee.com"

The Stockton Record
February 21, 2003
Going it Alone
by Brian McCoy

Cliff Chamberlain is quick to note he's not particularly fond of one-actor shows. He hasn't seen too many himself, but as a theatre professional Chamberlain knows most fall into one of three categories-the historical figure drama, the glorified stand-up routine, or the 'pity me' confessional.
So, Chamberlain acknowledged it might seem odd that he's not only written a one-man show but that it's become the prime feature in his budding stage career.

Adding to the paradox is the fact that the autobiographical 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' follows the outlines of an admittedly uneventful existence. 'I would be the first person to say my life is not interesting.' Said Chamberlain, 23. 'Yet, I have the attitude to think that I can hold your attention for an hour and a half.' Chamberlain has received some affirmation by performing the show before audiences in Vermont, Virginia, and Minnesota, as well as his native Manteca. 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' opens a two-weekend run tonight at the Actor's Lab in Stockton. With a slight dramatic arc to provide structure, 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' finds Chamberlain-clad in black and alone on a bare stage-recalling his life's most vivid memories and experiences. From inception to graduation, childhood Thanksgivings to adolescent awkwardness, Chamberlain re-creates the images and attitudes of youth with humor and poignancy. 'I felt that what I had to say was best said by telling stories about me.' Chamberlain said. 'I wanted to share memories and I wanted to share stories. That's just what I wanted to talk about.'

The show is a far cry from Chamberlain's most recent endeavor, portraying Chris Keller in Stockton Civic Theatre's production of 'All My Sons.' His appearance in the Arthur Miller drama introduced Chamberlain to local audiences and, he hopes, will generate interest in 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises.' The show grew out of Chamberlain's senior honors project at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The inspiration, however, came from the years he and his brother Travis shared in Manteca. As a family, the Chamberlains weren't particularly interested in the arts. Chamberlain's father ran a sporting goods company and his mother was teacher. They sometimes took their children to the theatre, but it was the annual trips to Massachusetts to visit their mother's family that really opened the boys' eyes. 'It was just knowing there was life outside Manteca,' Chamberlain said. Chamberlain first appeared on stage in grade school but theatre didn't really captivate him until he began writing. His first project, completed in his junior year at Manteca High School, was a monologue based on the film '12 Monkeys.' 'I didn't really know, but I thought this is what I really like to do,' Chamberlain said. 'Since then, it's all been uphill.' After graduating in 1997, Chamberlain enrolled in UC Santa Barbara's theatre program. A junior year movement course introduced him to the potential of bringing the past to life through his body and words. In the fall of his senior year, he decided to write a play showcasing that.

Chamberlain premiered 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' at UCSB in April of 2001, earning an A ands the admiration of family members who attended. Bolstered by the reception and encouraged by his professors, Chamberlain decided to fine-tune the show. Then, he immediately put the project on hold. In June 2001, he was hired by the Shenandoah Shakespeare Co. and spent the next 10 months with the troupe, touring from Canada to the Carolinas and starring in productions of 'The Winter's Tale' and 'As You Like It.' When he finally returned to 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises,' Chamberlain discovered the time away had been a blessing. 'That needed to happen,' he said. 'I was able to step away from the show and take a fresh look at it.' Chamberlain revised the script, cutting its length and sharpening its perspective. Through contacts made while with the Shakespeare company, he premiered 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' before a paying audience last April at St. Michael's College in Vermont. There followed a hometown engagement at Manteca High School and a date at the Fringe Festival in Minneapolis. Most recently, Chamberlain brought the show to Santa Barbara, renting a theatre off State Street and publicizing the production in the student community. 'I talked to maybe 15 different classes trying to get students excited about the show,' he said. 'That was the first time I had worked on publicity. I made $1500 on three performances.' Chamberlain has followed a similar pattern this week, performing excerpts from the show at Delta College. There's more than marketing behind the strategy, however, as Chamberlain speaks passionately about building a new twenty-something audience for theatre.

That ambition figures into the next phase of his professional development. Chamberlain is off to Chicago in March to perform 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' at the city's Single File Festival. He then plans to stay there to start the Sandbox Theatre Project with five Santa Barbara buddies. 'It's a theatre geared specifically for young people,' Chamberlain said. 'It's that situation of, 'How do we get young people into the seats?' '
The answer lies in making theater more relevant to Chamberlain's peers. In that regard, 'Paper Dreams and Plastic Promises' represents an essential first step. 'But if one person likes the show, that's enough,' Chamberlain said.