Displaying items by tag: Chicagoland Theatre

BrightSide Theatre has announced the full cast and artistic team for its production of PRIVATE LIVES, the third mainstage production of the company's 14th season. BrightSide Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass will direct Noël Coward's sharp, sophisticated comedy of passion and wit. When former lovers Elyot and Amanda unexpectedly reunite during their honeymoons with new spouses, sparks fly in this timeless exploration of love, desire, and chaos. PRIVATE LIVES is one of the most popular comedies ever, having been revived numerous times on Broadway and in London's West End ever since its 1930 premiere. Additionally, it has been adapted many times for films, TV and radio. PRIVATE LIVES will play from April 10-26 in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall of North Central College, at 31 S. Ellsworth in Naperville. 
 
Cass's cast will include Jon Cunningham of Schaumburg as Elyot Chase. Cunningham is a veteran of many musicals and plays across the Chicagoland area and has been leading man in BrightSide's SHE LOVES ME and  A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. His most recent BrightSide appearances have been in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and the Summer in the Parks concerts. Jamie Marie Paolo of Bensenville, who is remembered by BrightSide audiences for her performance as Petra in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, will be Elyot's ex-wife, Amanda. Cast as Elyot and Amanda's new spouses are Emily Sherman of Chicago as Sybil Chase, and Matt Hellyer of Algonquin as Victor Prynne. Sherman appeared with BrightSide in 2025's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and Hellyer has performed throughout the Fox Valley with companies including the Albright Theatre in Batavia and the Elgin Theatre Company. Completing the cast is Bev Coscarelli of Chicago, who will play Amanda's maid, Louise. Coscarelli is known to BrightSide audiences for her role in MOON OVER BUFFALO. Rick Berggreen of Naperville will understudy both male roles, while Sydnee Howes of Chicago will understudy all female roles.

The production team, in addition to Cass as director, includes Bill Delmonico (Scenic Design/ Technical Director), Cheryl Newman (Costume Designer), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Designer), Delaney Kosar (Prop Designer), and Kristin Ripoli (Stage Manager).
 
PRIVATE LIVES will be performed in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).  The April 11 performance will be ASL interpreted, thanks to the generous support of Naperville Lions Club. Special seating for this performance may be reserved with the code ASL.

There is an economic theory centered around shoes. The theory, in short, says that one should spend more money on the best pair of boots that will last you ten years, as opposed to buying cheap shoes that will need to be replaced every six months. The latter path inevitably leads to more expenditure but the higher up front cost for the better pair is a barrier to those who cannot afford it. The theory is a perfect commentary on economics, poverty, and accessibility among many other factors, and this very same theory is one of the prevailing themes of one of the newest plays to come to Chicagoland; Kinky Boots.

Based on the 2005 British film Kinky Boots, written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth and mostly inspired by true events, the musical tells the story of Charlie Price. Having inherited a shoe factory from his father, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer and drag queen Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business. In the process, Charlie and Lola discover that they are not so different after all. Kinky Boots is the big-hearted musical extravaganza that won six Tonys including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album and London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical. Kinky Boots features a joyous, Tony-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein.

The Highland Park Players performed Kinky Boots amongst the immaculate Loyola Academy McGrath Family Performing Arts Center in Wilmette. This production of Kinky Boots, like a good pair of boots, has an incredibly solid foundation. Headlined by the burgeoning talent of Anania Williams playing Lola, and Ben Frankart as Charlie, the two lead an ensemble cast of shoemakers and drag queens bouncing between London and Southampton. Williams was captivating as the incomparable Lola, bringing the tenderness and vulnerability to the role that demanded attention whenever on stage. Frankart was an endearing and charming Charlie, displaying the tenacity of the character in the wake of his father’s death and rallying to save his people’s jobs. At times the actors fell out of their English accents or delivered a key line or zinger without the right force or timing of delivery though the latter could have been caused due to some technical issues with their mics which also cut in and out on several actors. Despite some earlier issues, as the play progressed, the underlying themes of appreciation, respect of differences, and overcoming obstacles with help and support prevailed. There is real talent in the Highland Park Players ensemble cast, couple that with great set design and staging, and Kinky Boots has all the makings of great production off Broadway in Chicago.

If this Kinky Boots production were a shoe, it would have an incredibly solid foundation and be quite comfortable, and could be worn by many different people, old and young, and have the added benefit of being worn for multiple occasions. With a good scrubbing a bit of polish it will be a performance with lasting stay power. Kinky Boots tickets can be purchased at: www.highlandparkplayers.com. The production runs from August 18-27th