LAKE FOREST, IL – Citadel Theatre Company, an Equity-affiliated professional company performing in Lake Forest, IL, has announced its 16th season. The four-show subscription season will include the Lillian Hellman classic THE LITTLE FOXES, a holiday production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, a contemporary American comedy-drama to be announced, and the world premiere of Ross Lehman’s SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a one-man musical remembrance about his parents and their WWII era romance.
THE LITTLE FOXES first premiered on Broadway in 1939 and has been a classic ever since. This drama by Lillian Hellman – arguably the most influential female American playwright of the 20th Century – explores a power struggle between members of a wealthy Alabama family in 1900, where the men have all the power and influence. Or at least they think they do – the men of the Hubbard family may have met their match in the brilliantly ruthless matriarch Regina Hubbard Giddens.
The character of Regina is one of the great roles of American theatre and has been played by such iconic actress as Tallulah Bankhead, Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor. Kristina McCloskey (pictured above) will direct Citadel’s production, to open on Friday, September 28.
Citadel’s holiday musical will be Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s ever-popular JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, which tells the Old Testament story of Joseph and his brothers through contemporary eyes with songs like “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” Robert D. Estrin, a frequent Citadel collaborator, who directed Citadel’s A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL in 2016 and THE EXPLORERS CLUB this past spring, will direct.
His cast will include an ensemble of local youth alongside the adult professionals in principal roles. JOSEPH will play throughout the holiday season, opening Friday November 16 and running through Sunday, December 23rd.
Performance rights have been obtained for an exciting new American play that will take the winter slot in Citadel’s subscription season from Friday, February 1 through Sunday March 3. The title will be announced in September, but Citadel promises an entertaining and thought-provoking contemporary play in the spirit of its previous productions of the contemporary plays SEX WITH STRANGERS and UPRIGHT GRAND. The play will be directed by Beth Wolf, Founding Artistic Director of Midsommer Flight.
Citadel will close the season with the world premiere of a “musical remembrance” written and performed by one of Chicago’s best-loved actors, Ross Lehman. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY – a one-man performance piece – is the story of Lehman’s parents. It weaves the romantic history of their courtship, marriage and life together, set against the backdrop of WWII when he was an Air Force bombardier held prisoner by the Germans and she was a sophisticated career woman who waited for his return.
This world premiere includes popular music of the period, such as “We’ll Meet Again,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” and the title song “Sentimental Journey.” The production will open on Friday, April 26 and play through Sunday, May 26. It will be directed by Mark Lococo, Director of Theatre at Loyola University Chicago. Most recently at Citadel, he directed VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. In addition to directing many shows at Loyola, he has also helmed productions at theatres across Chicagoland, including Marriott Theatre (A CHORUS LINE), Porchlight (THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND), Northlight (THE MISER) and Citadel (OTHER DESERT CITIES, EDUCATING RITA).
Season subscriptions are available for the full season at $120.00 or as flex passes that can be used for the patron’s choice of two shows for $65.00 or three shows for $95.00. Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale at www.citadeltheatre.org.
CITADEL’S THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCE LAUNCHES
The company will also launch a new Theatre for Young Audiences program in the fall. Its inaugural production will be ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!,” which will be performed at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd. Lake Forest. The musical is based on Mo Willems’ beloved and award-winning best-selling children’s books, with book and lyrics by Willems and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. Favorite characters Gerald and Piggie will take to the stage in a rollicking adventure that is perfect for young audiences. There will be eight performances over two weekends – Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30; and Saturday and Sunday October 6 and 7, with performances at 11 am and 1 pm each day.
ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!” will be directed by Joe Lehman, who has directed recently at Williams Street Repertory Theatre (SYLVIA, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE), Metropolis (BOEING BOEING), and Greenbrier Valley Theatre (Co-director OLIVER!).
LISTING INFORMATION
THE LITTLE FOXES
by Lillian Hellman
Directed by Kristina McCloskey
Friday, September 28 – Sunday, October 28, 2018
(Previews September 25-27 @ 7:30 pm)
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. Additional matinees Wednesdays October 3 and 17 at 1 pm. No performance Friday, October 5.
Preview ticket prices – $20.00. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40.00; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and student.
Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
Lillian Hellman’s searing tale of family betrayal and corruption, set in Alabama in the year 1900. In it, Regina Hubbard Giddens connives against her brothers and husband for wealth and freedom within the confines of an early 20th-century society where fathers considered only sons as their legal heirs. This milestone in American theatre is a riveting unsentimental portrait of a bygone era that still holds timely resonance even today.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Book and Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Robert D. Estrin
Ryan Brewster, Musical Director
Jake Ganzer, Choreographer
Friday, November 16 – Sunday, December 23, 2018
(Previews November 14-15 @7:30 pm)
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. Additional matinees Performance days/times November 16 – December 16:
Wednesdays November 28 and December 5 at 1 pm. No performance Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22.
Performance days/times December 18-23:
Tuesday-Sunday at 7:00 pm, matinees Saturday 12/22 and Sunday 12/23 at 1 pm
Preview ticket prices – $20.00. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40.00; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and student.
Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son! One of the most enduring shows of all time, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors.
TO BE ANNOUNCED (Title to be announced in September)
Directed by Beth Wolf
Friday, February 1, 2019 – Sunday, Mar 3, 2019
(Previews January 29-31 @ 7:30 pm)
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. Additional matinees Wednesdays February 6 and 20 at 1 pm.
Preview ticket prices – $20.00. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40.00; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and student.
Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY: A STORY OF LOVE AND WAR
By Ross Lehman
Directed by Mark Lococo
Friday April 26, 2019 – Sunday May 26, 2019
(Previews April 23-25 @ 7:30 pm)
Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. Additional matinees Wednesdays May 1 and 15 at 1 pm.
Preview ticket prices – $20.00. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40.00; Saturdays and Sundays $45.00. Discounts available for groups, seniors and student.
Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
This is the story of Ross and Katey Lehman, told by their son, Chicago actor Ross (Robby) Lehman. It weaves the romantic history of their courtship, marriage and life together, set against the backdrop of WWII, when he was an Air Force bombardier held prisoner by the Germans, and she was a sophisticated career woman who waited for his return. This world premiere includes popular music of the period, such as “We’ll Meet Again,” “Don’t Fence Me In,” and the title song “Sentimental Journey.”
THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!”
Book and Lyrics by Mo Willems, Music by Deborah Wicks LaPuma
Directed by Joe Lehman
David Zizic, Musical Director
Brenda Good, Choreographer
Saturday, September 29 – Sunday, October 7, 2018
Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am and 1 pm
Gorton Community Center, 400 E Illinois Rd. Lake Forest IL
All seats $10.00
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
An elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggie are best, best, “bestus” (a word Gerald and Piggie made up that means “very best”) friends, but Gerald worries that something could go wrong that would end their friendship. Piggie is not worried at all. She’s even happier and more excited than usual. That’s because she and Gerald are invited to a party hosted by the Squirrelles, three singing squirrels who love to have a good time. And so begins a day when anything is possible.
BIOS
Kristina McCloskey (Director, THE LITTLE FOXES). Kristina is a freelance director based in Chicago, and an associate artistic with Dandelion Theatre. Her Chicago directing debut was ELECTION SEASON as part of THE HOT DOG STAND for Dandelion in 2016. Since then for Dandelion she has directed the development and staged reading of INFATUATION by Hallie Palladino, and assistant directed OHIO STATE MURDERS. Equally obsessed with new works and Shakespeare, Kristina has also had the pleasure of working with Midsommer Flight, No Stakes Theater Project, Tarleton/Dawn Productions, and Griffin Theatre, and will be making her producing debut with The Bloody Bathory Project through Barrens Theatre Co. Kristina is a graduate of the theatre program at the University of Virginia.
Robert D. Estrin (Director, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT) Robert’s directing credits include A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER, CABARET, OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY, LEND ME A TENOR (Citadel); THE SUM OF US (1027 Productions). Director/Designer: SUCH A PRETTY FACE (Off Broadway Equity Showcase production, New York City). Designer: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, LITTLE WOMEN, THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, THE BOARDING HOUSE, SOMETHING’S AFOOT (Citadel); CORPUS DELICTI, MR. SHAW GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE (MadKap Productions). Retired in 2005 from New Trier High School after thirty-four years of teaching theatre. Visit Bob on his Facebook page. Education: Northern Illinois University (B.A.); University of Illinois (M.A.)
Beth Wolf (Director, Play to be announced), is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Midsommer Flight, a company dedicated to providing free Shakespeare productions in Chicago parks. Beth’s directing credits include TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, HAMLET, AS YOU LIKE IT, TWELFTH NIGHT, MACBETH, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, ROMEO AND JULIET and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with Midsommer Flight; LIAR!, which won first place in the 2012 City Lit Art of Adaptation Festival; ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, BLACK MAGIC: AN EVENING OF SHAKESPEARE, SEASCAPE WITH SHARKS AND DANCER, BURY THE DEAD, THE FANTASTICKS, and SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDEN (Promethean Theatre Ensemble). Additionally, she has directed for festivals, staged readings, and assistant directed with companies all around Chicago, including Remy Bumppo, Idle Muse, the side project, City Lit Theater, Polarity Ensemble Theatre, and more. Beth is also a co-founder and the former Artistic Director of Promethean Theatre Ensemble. She is a proud Northwestern University graduate with a double major in theatre and gender studies.
Ross Lehman (Writer/performer SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY) has Broadway credits including A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, THE TEMPEST, and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST and many credits on Chicago’s professional stages. At Chicago Shakespeare Theater he has been seen most recently as the Fool in KING LEAR and Cerimon in PERICLES. Among his other CST roles have been Jacques/AS YOU LIKE IT, Feste/TWELFTH NIGHT, Dudley Marsh and Dromio of Syracuse/THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. He has performed at Steppenwolf in THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST; At the Goodman Theatre: WAITING FOR GODOT, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Jeff Award), THE ROVER, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and STAGE KISS. At Apple Tree Theatre: A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (Jeff Award), THE DRESSER (After Dark Award), WHERE’S CHARLEY (Jeff Award) At Writers Theatre: AS YOU LIKE IT, and BACH AT LEIPZIG. His reprise of his role as Koko in THE HOT MIKADO in London’s West End production earned him a Laurence Olivier Award nomination.
Mark Lococo (Director, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY) Mark is Director of Theatre at Loyola University Chicago. Most recently at Citadel, he directed VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. In addition to directing many shows at Loyola, he has also helmed productions at theatres across Chicagoland, including Marriott Theatre (A CHORUS LINE), Porchlight (THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND), Northlight (THE MISER) and Citadel (OTHER DESERT CITIES, EDUCATING RITA).
Joe Lehman (Director, ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!”) is thrilled to be working with Citadel Theatre for the first time and helping to launch their Theatre for Young Audiences programming. He is a long time Chicago area actor and director. Some recent directing credits include work at Williams Street Repertory Theatre (SYLVIA, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE), Metropolis (BOEING BOEING), and Greenbrier Valley Theatre (Co-director OLIVER!). He served as Artistic Director for Inconceivable Theatre for three seasons producing, directing and writing several new shows in that time. His acting credits include work at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Marriott Theatre, First Folio, Shaw Chicago, Shakespeare Project, Greenbrier Valley Theatre (WV), Meadow Brook Theatre (MI), Fireside Theatre (WI), Springer Opera House (GA), Stage One (KY), Classical Kids Live! (touring), Creede Repertory Theatre (CO) and many others.
Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for over 15 years. Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps in 2002, Citadel Theatre is comprised of its Main Stage performances, its On Tour programs, and its theatre acting classes for children. A proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff ArtsLink, Citadel Theatre offers a unique intimate theatre experience that transports you to another setting and leaves you feeling exhilarated and wanting more. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Citadel can accept tax-deductible donations. For more information, ticketing, and to make a donation, please visit Citadel online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.
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