Someone You Should Know: Playwright For The Homeless
(CBS) -- It's a true story that looks at the life of a Chicago man who lived much of his adult life on a park bench.
His son has now written a poignant play about his dad. CBS 2's Harry Porterfield says Rick Roberts is someone you should know.
At the Athenaeum Theatre, the many facets of homelessness are explored in the play "The Bench Mark."
To Roberts, it's very personal. He wrote the play about his late father, who would sleep on a bench in what is now Millennium Park.
Chicago's world-famous Bean now sits on the spot near the place where Roberts' father used to sleep on a bench.
"He was an alcoholic," the author says.
His father did have a home.
"As soon as he would get a few bucks in his pocket he would take off again," Roberts says.
His father had an impact on his own career choice. He has been involved with homeless-service programs and addiction treatment.
Performances of the play are taking place at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, through Sunday.
