Short Story Theatre Present 4 STORIES: Stories About A Vacation During The Cuban Revolution

Stories about a Vacation During the Cuban Revolution, A "Decent" Proposal, a Balalaika that Travels the World, and a Dentist Experiencing Three Larry David Moments Short Story Theatre presents an evening of four warm, wise and wonderful true stories on Thursday, July 26th, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. at Miramar Bistro, 301 Waukegan Ave. in Highwood.

Tickets are $10 at the door. For pre-show dinner reservations (mention Short Story Theatre): 847-433-1078. Drinks are available during the show. Marjorie Rissman of Highland Park recalls a family trip that became a nightmare but also a date in history in her story "Cuba Revisited."

Storyteller Larry Glazer of Glenview shares his story about how popped the question. YouTube has documented numerous failed marriage proposals but that didn't deter Larry - TWICE! Dentist Barry Freydberg of Northbrook experiences some moments that put his teeth on edge in his story "Curbing My Enthusiasm." Emma Kowalenko of Highwood traces the history of her Papa's balalaika from Casablanca to Chicago. Short Story Theatre was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to promoting storytelling as a vibrant, contemporary art form.

Co-founder and Producer Donna Lubow says, "Stories are creative non-fiction, based on personal experiences. Our troupe of more than fifty members from Chicago and the northern suburbs melds writing skills and performance skills to entertain and inspire audiences." For more information and for guidelines for submission: www.shortstorytheatre.com.

Marjorie Rissman grew up on Long Island surrounded by duck and potato farms but made her escape at 14 when she went to boarding school, then college, then graduate school. She began writing again after her sister died seven years ago and drowned her grief in poetry. More recently she has begun to write memoirs under the wings of Jennifer Dotson. When she is not writing, Marjorie attempts to sell residential real estate on the North Shore and to complete jigsaw puzzles. She has two sons and four wonderful grandchildren.

Larry Glazer has always found a way to work in entertaining jobs that amuse him and inspire creativity. As a teenager he sold peanuts and cokes at White Sox baseball games, allowing him to make money while watching his favorite team. He bagged groceries at a large neighborhood grocery store, which enabled him to meet girls who shopped with their mothers. In college, Larry was a disc jockey and newscaster at several radio stations. He made a career selling broadcast advertising for over 200 U.S. Radio and TV stations, including Anchorage, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York and Fargo! Retired, Larry now works at a golf course part time and golfs part time. Some of his creative writings have been published in 2 national magazines, the Skokie Northlight Theatre magazine and on The White Sox scoreboard. Larry won $10,000 AND HIS WIFE for something he wrote for Marshall Field's State Street store window.

Barry Freydberg honed his storytelling chairside, while his dental patients couldn't respond. As an international lecturer on several dental subjects, he tells stories in the midst of his teaching to a captive audience; however this time, people can and do respond. Also, a serial joke teller (only good ones), he's stepping out of the safety of his profession to talk about some of his life experiences.

Married with 6 kids, a bunch of grandkids, Barry's a late starter in many of life's activities. His senior hobbies include starting skiing at 45, golf at 58, pickle ball at 70, piano at 73. Always the traveler and photographer, he is finding way too much to do while still practicing and teaching a little more than part time.

Emma Kowalenko (Pen Name Emma Alexandra), poet, visual artist and oral historian, founded Kowalenko Consulting Group, Inc. (KCG) in 1988 in Highland Park. She holds a Master of Arts degree in history from Northeastern Illinois University. At KCG, she integrates her entrepreneurial expertise, strategic planning skills, and multi-cultural proficiency for clients in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. She is on the board and task forces of several professional and nonprofit organizations.

In Highland Park and Highwood these include: East on Central, a Journal of Art and Letters; Sister Cities Foundation of Highland Park, the Modenese Society, the Highwood Bocce Club, and the Highland Park and Highwood Historical Societies. Of Eastern European heritage, she was born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco and is fluent in French, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian. She and her husband Anthony Bilotti, reside in Highwood.