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opprairie.com Life & Arts
The orland park prairie | November 2, 2017 | 23
‘Lady Vadula - Spellbound’ enchants Orland Park
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
The memory of a mute
temptress who can only
communicate through the
beautiful music of her flute
has haunted a hardened London
investigator since he
first heard her siren song.
This is where theatregoers
found Detective Jack
O’Mally at the top of “Lady
Vadula – Spellbound,” the
latest production presented
by the Village of Orland
Park Arts Commission.
The Saturday, Oct. 28 performance,
held at the Cultural
Center, was a draw for
many reasons, including its
artistry, storytelling, music
and the cast, which was led
by one of Orland Park’s residents,
Michele McGovern.
“Michele is a master of
the flute,” Arts Commissioner
Laimdota Ansmits said.
“She plays solos with symphonies.
She’s so creative,
and she’s also a filmmaker.”
McGovern — who was
born in Orland Park and still
resides in the community today
— created the music for
“Lady Vadula – Spellbound”
along with Tiko Lasola and
Chris Kukla. The show is
based on a story by Dave
Apps, who also served as the
production’s director.
Along with McGovern,
the cast featured several actors,
dancers and musicians,
including Peter Mastne (as
Detective Jack O’Mally),
Len Wcislo (as Victor Vadula)
and cellist Patti Garvey.
“Lady Vadula – Spellbound”
was previously performed
as a full musical in Chicago
and was adapted to best suit
the Cultural Center space for
the Oct. 28 show.
“‘Lady Vadula’ is something
different for the Arts
Commission,” Ansmits said.
“We’ve had opera. We’ve
had Dance Chicago several
Victoria Vadula/Lady Vadula (played by Michele McGovern)
takes center stage during ‘Lady Vadula – Spellbound’
Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Orland Park Cultural Center.
Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
times. We’ve had quartets,
strings, prodigies, and this is
a combination of everything.
I’m excited because this is
so unique.”
Orland Park residents
Robert and Nancy Carlson
picked up tickets to see the
production based on the
recommendation of their
daughter, who is a member
of the Arts Commission.
“She told us that Michele
McGovern is a wonderful
performer, and we should
take advantage of the opportunity
to see her, so here we
are,” Nancy said. “We love
music and dance, so we usually
come out for anything
that’s available here.”
Gail Nonaka, of Orland
Park, frequently volunteers
for Arts Commission events
— she was selling McGovern’s
albums at this show —
because she loves to support
the arts locally.
“We put a lot of emphasis
on sports and sports bars in
this town, and we don’t put
a whole lot of emphasis on
the arts,” she said. “I spend
so much time driving downtown
to theater events that
it’s nice to be able to have
Detective Jack O’Mally (played by Peter Mastne) gets a moment in the spotlight during
“Lady Vadula – Spellbound.”
Village of Orland Park Arts Commissioner Laimdota Ansmits welcomes everyone to the
performance.
something in my own backyard.
And it’s great when
local artists like Michele
McGovern come back to
perform in Orland. I can’t
wait to see the show.”
When the lights went up
on the stage at the top of the
first act, McGovern emerged
to perform “Nocturne,”
which appears on her album
“Falling Leaves,” and the effect
of “Lady Vadula” could
be felt immediately. The
packed house became transfixed
with the multifaceted
production, highlighted by
the flutist’s phrases. Dancers,
performing the bewitching
choreography of Ela
Olarte, added to the show’s
unique allure.
The Orland Park Arts
Commission hosts four
shows every season. Next
up is a free concert by the
Southwest Community Band
slated for Feb. 11, to be held
at the Cultural Center.
More information on the
Village of Orland Park Arts
Commission can be found
at orlandpark.org, and more
information on Michele Mc-
Govern’s music and art can
be found at fluteroom.com.