ART and [TITLE OF SHOW] Close Out Williams Street Rep's TheatreFEST

Don't miss out on the final weekends of Williams Street Repertory's inaugural theatre festival at Raue Center For The Arts! The new summer theatre festival, produced by WSR, features two hilarious comedy productions and offers exciting deals for McHenry County's only professional theatre company.

"Raue Center has expanded its summer programming for the last few years with great success. This year we decided to take a different approach and offer multiple shows at the same time, following the old rep model of theatre production" says Melissa Thomfohrda, director of marketing for Raue Center and WSR. "We are excited to continue to grow TheatreFEST over the next few years into a true destination summer event for Crystal Lake."

WSR's TheatreFEST features Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning comedy "ART." The show finishes its run at Raue Center with performances the weekend of July 30-31. "ART" features WSR ensemble member Ivan Ewert, Tod Kent* and James Turano.

This biting comedy follows three men whose longtime friendships are tested in hilarious ways when one of them buys an expensive piece of modern art. This intelligent, rapid-fire comedy, sparkling with verbal wit, explores the power of art to engage the imagination and enflame the emotions.

"I enjoy stories where seemingly mundane events cause these tremendous explosions between people," explains director and WSR ensemble member Michele Vazquez*, "I find it very true to life."

The final weekends of the rotating TheatreFEST lineup also include "[title of show]." The hit musical continues its run with a performance on July 30, as well the weekend of August 5-6. "[title of show]" features the musical talents of WSR ensemble member Amanda Flahive*, Joel Bennett, Sarah Jordan and Billy Seger.

"[title of show]" - yes that is the title - is Broadway's surprise hit musical about 4 friends who have 3 weeks to write 1 award-winning musical! "[title of show]" is, above all, a love letter to musical theatre - a uniquely American art for - and to the joy of collaboration.

"I'm excited to be directing this musical trajectory of creative expression. It's irreverent, funny, unique, and most of all, it's about dreams coming true," says director and WSR ensemble member Regina Belt-Daniels, "And as the four characters discover, to quote Sondheim, 'art isn't easy!'"

Tickets can be purchased through the Box Office at 26 North Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake or at 815.356.9212. Tickets are also available online at rauecenter.org.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 15 years, they have provided quality programming - striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional Showcase Theatre named for its benefactor-Lucile Raue-Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic, downtown Crystal Lake, is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination.

Williams Street Repertory is a non-profit theatre company located in the wonderful town of Crystal Lake, Illinois. Over the past 6 years, WSR has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of Illinois' leading producing theatres. WSR is dedicated to sustaining an artistic process of innovative and emotionally charged work, telling diverse stories, and creating an in-house Production Company of well-respected artists. Since opening, WSR has presented more than 18 productions with a wide range of appeal: from Chicago premieres to international debuts to holiday favorites. In 2016, WSR entered into a contract with Actors Equity Association, making WSR the only professional theater company in McHenry County. Williams Street Rep is dedicated to its mission of producing diverse and emotionally charged stories that deepen the cultural richness of our community and our region. WSR was made possible through support provided by Susen Håakansson Berg and James C. Berg, the City of Crystal Lake, ComEd, McHenry County Community Foundation and Epic Repertory Theater Company. For additional information, visit wsrep.org.