Like NASCAR ? Have a Look
Here at Some Great Gifts
WALT DISNEY WORLD IN ORLANDO
AWAITS YOUR VISIT
SeaWorld in Orlando is Fun for
Everyone....World Class Shows
Cabaret Singer
Adopt a Pet, Come for a Visit
Phantom, July 10th - August 17th
Village Players
Theatre
Village Players Performing Arts Center Presents:THE FULL MONTYreview by Ed VincentTHE FULL MONTY, began life as an award winning film in 1998. It was the most successful film in English history. It took place in a working class area, the town of Sheffield in Britain. When the film was brought to the stage in a musical format the American town of Buffalo, New York was chosen for its smaller town working ethos. The play is replete with pathos, humor, irony, and some middle aged butt. The sets are phenomenal and are worked like a caged mandala with precision and art. The choreography is well done and executed finely by the performers. The cast is well chosen to represent a motley gathering of middle class, middle aged men, with middles of their own definitions. The play touches on many of life's travails, as losing a job, a home and a family, can bring many to the brink of emotional disaster -- so what better than to show your ass to others for some needed funds?? It is an edgy plot, but one with hope, hype, and happiness when all is complete. Carl Occhipinti's work is well done and the finished product is a good value for the price of a ticket. Many of those known in the region are in roles here and there, Betty Scott Smith is charming as the piano playing siren of days past. Some may take note of the well known local story teller, teacher, and Farmer's Market plant salesman Kim Hoag, exposed in his underwear. Katherine Condit-Ladd, as Georgie, who we had last seen in a production of Cats in Munster, Indiana, brings energy, strength and beauty to the role. If you are not frightened by semi-naked unattractive men and want to see a very fine performance of an award winning show, get your tickets soon. The audience agreed with us in their applause and approval. A small list of the initial awards won when coming to the stage. 2001 Drama Desk
Award Winner
Best Music -- David Yazbek 2001 Outer Critics Circle Award Winner Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical -- Andre de Shields 2001 Theatre World Award Winner Outstanding New Performer -- Kathleen Freeman 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Director (Musical) -- Jack O'Brien 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Actor (Musical) -- Patrick Wilson 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Choreographer -- Jerry Mitchell 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Orchestrations -- Harold Wheeler 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Actor (Featured Role--Musical) -- André De Shields 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Actress (Featured Role--Musical) -- Kathleen Freeman 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Book (Musical) -- Terrence McNally 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Actor (Featured Role--Musical) -- John Ellison Conlee 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Musical -- Producers: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Lindsay Law, Thomas Hall 2001 Tony® Award Nominee Original Musical Score -- David Yazbek The Full Monty Broadway Production Notes  'The Full
Monty' at Village Players Theatre.
photo by David Turner Village Players Performing Arts Center Presents:THE FULL MONTYThe Award-Winning Broadway MusicalFeaturing a cast of Chicago Favorites!Oak Park, Il – Ever wondered what happens when a group of six unemployed men decide to put on an amateur strip show to raise money? Find out this summer when they go The Full Monty at Village Players! Six unemployed guys, low on both cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of professionals. As they prepare for the show, working through their fears, self-consciousness, and anxieties, they overcome their inner demons and find strength in their camaraderie. "One of the reasons I chose to direct this show is that I saw the movie and thought it was so touching. You really felt for those guys and you found yourself rooting for them at the end to have the courage to do the Full Monty," says director Carl Occhipinti, Artistic Director of Village Players. "The mirror is up for us to look at where in our life we went to some extreme for someone we love." Written by Tony-Award winning playwright Terrence McNally along with Tony and Grammy nominated composer David Yazbek, the production at Village Players features many familiar Chicago faces. Appearing as Georgie is Katherine Condit-Ladd, a Broadway veteran from the original cast of Chess as well as tours of Cats and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Also in the cast is Chuck Sisson as Dave, directly from Bailiwick's Jeff-nominated production of A Man of No Importance and Renardo Johnson as Horse, fresh from Porchlight's Jeff Award-winning production of Ragtime. Newcomer Tyler Dean makes his Village Players debut as Jerry. The rest of the cast includes Laurie Marchese, Kamaran-Alexis Madison, Betty Scott Smith, Sam Buti, Kendal Lester, & Kelsi Karch from Chicago; Kathleen Goggin, ElizaBeth Fahey, Jimmy Sandoval, James Spangler, Patti Roeder, Kim Hoag & Tim Grover from Oak Park, Sean Hurtubise from Arlington Heights; and Guy Klinzing from Woodridge. Working alongside Occhipinti are Music Director Allison Hendrix, Choreographer/Asst. Director Christopher Pazdernik, Lighting Designer Andrew Glasenhardt, Scenic Designer Lee Brasuell, Costume Designer Amanda Scholl, Props Designer Cassie Soliday, Sound Designer & Technical Director John List, and Stage Manager Breanna Smith-Sneed.
'The Full Monty' previews June 6 & 7 and runs from June 8 – July 13, 2008. Show times are 8 PM for all Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 PM for all Sundays. *There are no performances the weekend of July 4th.* Tickets for regular performances are $25 for adults and $20 for Students & Seniors. All tickets for previews are $15, and opening night tickets including reception are $30 for adults and $25 for Students & Seniors.
June 14th is a special fundraiser for the Oak Park Lesbian and Gay Association. All Tickets are $40, including a reception with hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer one-hour prior to the performance.
Presented in the Mainstage Theatre of the newly renovated Village Players Performing Arts Center located at 1010 W. Madison, Oak Park, IL. Plenty of parking is available on the street. The theatre is handicap accessible; please call ahead to arrange for special seating. Tickets available at www.village-players.org or by calling 866-764-1010. |
Village Players Theater
1010 West Madison
Oak Park, Illinois
Special Group discounts are available.
Call 866-764-1010
Village
Players Theatre is a non-equity professional
theater
located in Oak Park, IL at 1010 W. Madison St –
North
of 290 and East of Harlem Ave.