EverGreen Theatre Ensemble Opens Season with BILL W. AND DR. BOB Tonight

The EverGreen Theatre Ensemble, an engagement theater company based in Naperville, will present a radio-style version of "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" by Dr. Samuel Shem and Dr. Janet Surrey, opening tonight, Oct. 10 at the Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave. Suite 143 in Naperville.

The show runs Oct. 10-11 & 17 at 8:00 p.m. and Oct. 12 & 19 at 3:00 p.m. There is no performance on Saturday, October 18. Tickets for "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" are $20 for adults, $15 for students and $10 for children under 12. To purchase tickets online, visit evergreentheatreensemble.org or call 630.697-3790.

The ensemble cast features local actors Jeff Jones from North Aurora, Carol Townsend from West Chicago, Lori Rohr from Palatine, Tracey Powers from Geneva, Frank Menolascino from Melrose Park, Jason Taylor from Hoffman Estates, Martin Dean from Downers Grove.

"Since the show takes place in the golden age of radio, we thought it might be a nice twist on a traditional production," said Craig Berger, Director of the show. "We use improv to transition from a modern day Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to the past where the story takes place."

This production of "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" marks the 75th anniversary of the "Alcoholics Anonymous" book, which has been so instrumental in helping thousands manage their alcoholism. The award-winning, bittersweet story chronicles the true story of the friendship between Bill Wilson, an alcoholic New York stockbroker who loses it all in the 1920's and becomes a hopeless drunk; and Dr. Bob Smith, a surgeon and pillar of the community from Akron, OH who has been a secret drinker for years. Through a series of fateful events, the pair forms a relationship that keeps each other sober and leads to the development of a treatment plan for alcoholics and the format for Alcoholics Anonymous. The show is the first in the Theatre Ensemble's 2014-2015 season that will also feature "A Christmas Carol", Dec. 5-7, 12-14, and "Time Stands Still" in the spring.

About Evergreen Theatre Ensemble: EverGreen Theatre Ensemble is a Naperville, IL-based, professional company of actors and artists dedicated to the presentation of "engagement theater", which offers thought-provoking stories meant to impact the audience long after the show ends. The ensemble was founded by Craig Berger, formerly of the Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, who now directs "engaging stories of dreams, lost and found". For more information visit evergreentheatreensemble.org or our Facebook page.