Hit Comedy ELEMENO PEA to Open This Winter at Citadel Theatre

Citadel Theatre's 2016-17 season continues with Molly Smith Metzler's Elemeno Pea, a comedy about social class and sibling rivalry that premiered at the 2011 Humana Festival of New Plays and has since enjoyed productions across the country in prestigious theaters like South Coast Repertory in southern California, Pittsburgh's City Theatre and Atlanta's Horizon Theatre.

Elemeno Pea is set in a Martha's Vineyard beach estate, where the 29-year-old Simone works as a personal assistant to the trophy wife of a billionaire. When her blue collar social worker sister Devon comes in from Buffalo for an end-of-summer visit, Devon finds her little sister Simone changed beyond recognition. Worlds collide and sisters square off in this keenly-observed comedy about ambition, regret and the choices that shape who we become.

The show runs February 3 - March 5, 2017 at Citadel's West Campus Theatre at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. The Press Opening is Friday, February 3 at 8pm.

Leading the cast are Maggie Kettering (below left) and Sarah Hecht (below right) as sisters Devon and Simone. Kettering, a member of Actor's Equity Association, has appeared in Season on the Line for The House Theatre and My Kind of Town for TimeLine. Hecht recently appeared in Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of Portage Park for Filament Theatre. Also in the cast are Ray Andrecheck (The Odd Couple at Theatre at the Center and The Upstairs Concierge at the Goodman) as Jos-B and Grayson Heyl (City of Conversation at Northlight and The Adding Machine for The Hypocrites) as Michaela. Casting of one additional role will be announced at a later date.

Citadel Theatre co-artistic director Ellen Phelps will direct Elemeno Pea.The creative team also includes Eric Luchen (Set Designer), Sandy Bacon (Scenic Artist), Emma Magrady (Lighting Designer), Katharine Goldberg (Costume Designer) CatHy Jacobson (Props Designer), Bob Boxer (Sound Designer), Samantha Tink (Stage Manager) and Scott Phelps and Kevin Sherman (Production Managers).

Director Ellen Phelps says of Elemeno Pea,"I'm so excited to bring this very funny play to Life at Citadel Theatre. If you have a sister or daughter you will really enjoy this show in which one sister is moving on and the other sister is trying to hold her close. This struggle brings out the worst and best in both of them - and good luck to everyone else who gets in the crossfire! Regardless of all the commotion, it all comes from love."

Elemeno Pea will run February 3 through March 5, 2017 with performances Thursdays at 7:30, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Additional matinees have been scheduled for Wednesdays February 8 and 22 at 11am. Citadel Theatre (300 S. Waukegan Rd) is a 144-seat venue with a thrust stage and comfortable stadium seating. Tickets are available online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or over the phone by calling the Citadel Theatre box office at 847.735.8554. Tickets are $35 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, $38 Saturdays and Sundays. Discounts are available for seniors, students, theatre industry professionals and groups. Three-show subscriptions are available at $80.00 for the season's remaining shows.

Molly Smith Metzler grew up in Kingston, New York. Her plays -- including Elemeno Pea, The May Queen, Close Up Space, Carve, and Training Wisteria -- have been produced across the country and off-Broadway at such theaters as Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC), Actors Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival), South Coast Repertory, Summer Play Festival (SPF), Cherry Lane Mentor Project, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Geva, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, and The Kennedy Center, where she was the recipient of three Kennedy Center National Student Playwrighting awards. Molly is an alum of Ars Nova Play Group and the Primary Stages writers group in New York; she studied playwrighting at Boston University, NYU Tisch, and The Juilliard School. A member of EST and The Dramatists Guild, she is currently under commission at South Coast Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Manhattan Theatre Club. Her new play Cry It Out, commissioned by the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, will receive its world premiere at the 2017 Humana Festival in Louisville, from March 10 - April 9, 2017. She lives in New York.

Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland's premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for over 14 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, visit Citadel online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.

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