Opening Night for BTE DON't DRESS FOR DINNER September 9th

After a three-year hiatus Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE) opens its 2016-2017 "Year of the Phoenix" Season in the McAninch Arts Center's intimate Playhouse Theatre with Marc Camoletti's "Don't Dress for Dinner," directed by BTE Ensemble member Kurt Naebig,* Sept. 8 - Oct. 9. This production marks the return of the professional Equity company as the MAC's resident theater company. There will be a preview performance onThursday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m.; press opening is Friday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Performances run through Sunday, Oct. 9.

Hidden identities and outrageous situations take center stage in this hysterically funny sequel to Camoletti's "Boeing Boeing." The Chicago Tribune has hailed "Don't Dress for Dinner" as "...a comedy of confusion that almost collapses under the weight of duplicity, mistaken identity, and extramarital affairs, but somehow stays in the air like a precarious but well-built soufflé;" and the Guardian lauds,"Hurtling along at the speed of light, this breathtaking farce is a near faultless piece of theatrical invention."

"Don't Dress for Dinner" was a smash hit in Paris, under the title of "Pyjamas Pour Six" where it played for more than two years. After London producer Mark Furness commissioned playwright Robin Hawdon to do a rewrite of the play, it was retitled "Don't Dress for Dinner" and went on to run for six years at the U.K.'s Apollo and Duchess Theatres. It has since played in theaters throughout the English-speaking world and had its Broadway debut in 2012, where it was nominated for two Tony Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and featured Jennifer Tilly in the role of Suzanne.

The cast for "Don't Dress for Dinner" includes Chicago's Robert Jordan Bailey* (Robert); Downers Grove's Connie Canaday Howard* (Jacqueline); Chicago's Nick DuFloth (George); Chicago's Robyn Coffin (Suzette); LaGrange's Laura Leonardo Ownby (Suzanne) and Western Spring's Brad Walker (Bernard).

The design team includes Lombard's Kurt Naebig* (Director); Aurora's Michael Moon* (Set Design); Addison's Kimberly Morris (Costume Design); Glen Ellyn's Jon Gantt* (Lighting Design); Lenox, Iowa's Galen Ramsey* (Sound Design); Chicago's Brad Sauper and Jillian Luce (Properties Design) and Muncie, Ind.'s Jon Tovar (Fight Choreographer).

Tickets are $35. Rush discounted priced tickets (subject to availability) may be purchased in person at the box office from noon - 2 p.m. on the day of the performance. For tickets or more information visit AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.4000.

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