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20 | April 18, 2019 | the mokena messenger life & arts mokenamessenger.com A stage oddity: Theater guild brings dinner theater to Lincoln-Way with ‘The Odd Couple’ Rochelle McAuliffe Freelance Reporter What happens when you pair two polar opposites as roommates? In the case of the female version of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” it’s sidesplitting comedy, and you can see for yourself at the Lincoln-Way Theater Guild’s dinner theater production of the contemporary classic. The Lincoln-Way Theater Guild is scheduled to present its production of “The Odd Couple” at Trail’s Edge Brewery in Frankfort. Showtimes are April 27-28, and May 3-4 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:15 p.m. and the show beginning at 8 p.m. each evening. As with each LWTG production since the company’s inception in 2017, a portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit a local charity. Proceeds from “The Odd Couple” will be donated to The Cancer Support Center of Mokena in honor of Team Ferrari, and to help Ellie Cuiching and the Cuiching Family. In the past, the LWTG has donated to the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Christ Hospital’s Toy Chest, as well as provided aid for local families and scholarships for Lincoln- Way High School seniors. Under the leadership of director MJ Renzi, the cast had just over one month to stage the show, with rehearsals beginning in mid-March. “We had about two weeks’ time to find a cast, and then rehearsals began around March 10,” Renzi said. “The prep time for 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 TInley Park Convention Center 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park this was pretty short, but I’m confident that we’ve got it.” Rather than presenting the show in the typical “proscenium” theater setup, where the audience faces the stage, the show will be presented “in-theround,” with the audience MAIN STAGE SESSION SCHEDULE Presented by Women’s Healthcare of Illinois 9:10–9:30 a.m. Fit 4 Mom fitness demo 9:30–10 a.m. Yoga with Yoga 360 10–11 a.m. A Musical Floral Experience with George Mitchell, Mitchell’s Flowers & Events 11-11:30 a.m. Small Talk - an inspiring story from Rachel McCurdy, owner of The Talking Shirt 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. “Life Happens Laugh Anyway” with the Laugh Anyway Mom 12–12:30 p.m. The Sky's the Limit - A Conversation with Chicago Sky Assistant Coach Bridget Pettis COOKING DEMO SCHEDULE Presented by Women’s Healthcare of Illinois 9:15–9:45 a.m. Chef Tom Grotovsky, The Unforgettable Chef 9:50–10:20 a.m. Chef Ken Thompson, Joliet Junior College Culinary Arts 10:25–10:55 a.m. Chef Ruben L. Pazmino, Rubi Agave Latin Kitchen, Tequila and Whiskey Bar - Homer Glen 11–11:30 a.m. Chef Linda Aceves, Cacao Cafe 11:35 a.m.–12:05 p.m. Chef Matt Mitchell and Managing Partner Ed Nemec, Dancing Marlin 12:15–12:45 p.m. Chef Reginald Moncur, Tin Fish Restaurant Sponsored by Rosemary Sexton (left to right), Cathleen Drakulich, Katie Arwood and Mimi Pahis chat before rehearsal of “The Odd Couple.”. & LORENZ APPLIANCES, Inc. Get FREE tickets at www.22ndcenturymedia.com/lady Betsey Manzoni (left) and Deb Brunette help each other learn lines by recommending apps that aid memorization during a rehearsal Friday, April 12, for “The Odd Couple.” Photos by Rochelle McAuliffe/22nd Century Media If you’re going… What: Lincoln-Way Theatre Guild’s production of “The Odd Couple” When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:15 p.m. and show starts at 8 p.m. April 27-28 and May 3-4 Where: Trail’s Edge Brewery, 20 Kansas St. in Frankfort Tickets: $40, includes dinner and the show For more information… Phone: (815) 671-1616 surrounding the stage on all four sides. With a 360-degree view of the stage, theater-in-the-round productions allow for a more intimate viewing experience, especially for a dinner theater setting. Additionally, by performing in-the-round, it allows for a more simplistic set with fewer items that requires less movement. While “The Odd Couple” is Renzi’s directorial debut with the Lincoln- Way Theater Guild, he has been involved with theater since 1977 as an actor and director, notably with Chicago Height’s The Drama Group. There, he’s directed more than 20 shows, and even received the 100 Show award with the group back in 2000. After being invited to direct the LWTG’s next production, Renzi wanted to “get their name on the map” by producing a show that would be familiar to audiences. The first show that came to mind? The hilarious hijinks of Simon’s “The Odd Couple.” “[Lead characters] Olive and Florence are complete mismatches trying to get by with one another,” Renzi said. “Olive is a slob and a sports enthusiast, where Florence is an uptight, compulsive neat freak. When Florence is lost after her husband asks for a divorce, Olive invites her to move in, and comedy ensues.” Leading the cast is Deb Brunette as Olive, and Cathleen Drakulich as Florence. The two Park Forest women have both been in theater for more than 25 years and have worked with director MJ Renzi in the past. For the two leads, getting into character wasn’t a challenge, with them both relating to their character personally. “No one in my family was surprised when I was cast in this role,” Drakulich said. “I may not be as much of a neat freak as Florence, but there are times when I can get compared.” Brunette says that she relates to Olive through her relationship with her own sister. “I hope I’m not as messy as Olive, but my sister would definitely be a Florence,” Brunette said. As opening night approaches, both cast and crew are met with nerves and butterflies, but with each rehearsal that passes, everyone gets more excited. “When it comes to opening night, I’m just looking forward to having fun,” Renzi said. “At that point, it’s out of my hands. I have an incredibly experienced cast, and they’re all very talented, so I’m excited.”
mokenamessenger.com mokena the mokena messenger | April 18, 2019 | 21 FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING • FREE TOTE BAGS* 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, April 27 TInley Park Convention Center 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park & LORENZ APPLIANCES, Inc. VENDORS INCLUDE: • 22nd Century Media • 322 West Soap Company • A.J. Specialities, Inc. • Access to Care • Advocare • Aesthetica Day Spa • All Cindy’s Mixes • Art a la Carte • Artistic Medspa • AT&T • Bada Bling • Bath Planet • Bettenhausen Automotive • BNutty • Brannigan Chiropractic Center • Cacao Cafe • Celebrity Cruises • Chakim’s Closet • Chicago Sky • Chiro One • Color Street: Be Fab Nails with Alana • Country Financial • Crafts by Rosemary • Crisis Center for South Suburbia • Cruise Planners • Damsel in Defense • DIY Sign Party • Dream Event Creations • Dress 2 Dazzle • Edward Jones • Essentially 3B’s • Evergreen Senior Living • Fit 4 Mom • Floor Coverings International of Orland Park Get FREE tickets at www.22ndcenturymedia.com/lady • Fred Astaire Dance Studio • Gift Boxes for All Occasions • Glammerish • Glamour Bijoux Paparazzi Consultant • Gorjus Whips Body Butter • Gracie Pie Apothecary • Greenhouse Group • Groovestones Jewelry & Gems • Hawkinson Kia • Health From Within • Heartland CannAssist • Honest Tea • Illinois Foot and Ankle Center, SC • Illinois State Treasurer • Imperfect Produce • Inspire Global • Inspire Studio Gallery, LLC • It Works Global • It’s All About the Dress - Pay It Forward • Jewels2U • Joliet Slammers • Juicy Luzy Sangria • Katherine Laverne Brown, Author • LBRI PURE N’ NATURAL Skin Care • LeafFilter Gutter Protection • LegalShield • Liberty Mutual Insurance Company • Lorenz Appliances • Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria • LOVESS By Neij Naturals & Co. • LuLaRoe Nicole Goodfellow • Make Up Eraser • Marie’s Musings • Mary Kay Cosmetics • Mezzo Spritz • Midwest Vascular Care Center • Miroballi Shoes • Monat/Arbonne • Neat Repeats • New Avon • New York Life • Nimas Float & Spa • Norwex • Nothing Bundt Cakes • NuMark Credit Union • Oily University • Orangetheory Fitness • Orland Park Crossing • Passanante’s Home Food Services • Physicians Immediate Care • Pink Zebra • Power Home Remodeling • Premier Designs Jewelry • Prudential Advisors • Pura Vida Boho Art • Quevos • Resale For Rescues • Rife and Associates Family Health Care • Scentsy • Sew Crochet • Sheets by Karen • Sheila’s Decorative Pens • Sterk Family Law Group P.C. • Stories for My Grandchild • Surprise Parties • Tastefully Simple • The Glam Queen Boutique • The Maria Miller Team @ HomeSmart Realty • The Neill Real Estate Team • The Relief Fairy • The Talking Shirt • Those Fitness Chicks - Heart-Training Studio • Tinley Court Catered Senior Living • Tracy DeGraaf • UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial • Victorian Village Senior Living Community • Virtue Cider • Vitalife • Women’s Healthcare of Illinois • Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc. • Yoga 360 and LK Acupunture • Zilis Ultra Cell Full Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil Sponsored by For more information, call (708) 326-9170 Follow us on Facebook at @22CMevents *guaranteed to the first 500 attendees
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