Lewis University Heritage Theatre Company to Stage BOX OFFICE, A HISTORY

For two performances only, Lewis University Heritage Theatre Company (HTC) will present "Box Office, A History" in the Studio Theatre on Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Playwright Steve Ackerman fashioned a madcap vaudevillian look at life in the ticket window with "Box Office, A History." This zany one-act was written in 2009 and is based on the playwright's experiences as manager of the McLeod Theater Box Office on the campus of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Today, Steve Ackerman resides in Minneapolis, MN and is a playwright and puppet artist with a focus on quick, high-energy art making.

High-energy is exactly what the four performers require on this fantastical odyssey from the birth of theatre and beyond. Climb aboard as the Captain (Matthew Carlson '15 of Lockport) and his First Mate (Jake Dorencz '16 of Romeoville) greet you at the box office for this wacky journey. Set sail with the customers who are as hilarious as they are demanding. Actors Jordin Richards '16 of Tinley Park and Katy Papineau '16 of Kankakee play the myriad of patrons from senior citizens to children. Lewis senior, Tyler Senjanin of Evergreen Park will provide the narrative for the 60-minute farcical excursion.

Lewis University Philip Lynch Theatre Manager and HTC president, Jo Slowik of Joliet directs the show. Assisting her as stage manager is Zackary Abu-Shanab of Plainfield and Bradford Bingham of Chicago as the assistant stage manager. Designing lights is Sean Gallagher of Mokena; operating the light board is Jacob Rodriguez of Chicago. Michael Palermo of Westchester is designing and operating sound. Noah Slowik of Woodridge is the properties manager and Eric Redmon of Yorkville is designing projections. Front of house staff includes Brianna Peoples of Melrose Park, and Conrad Sipiora of Chicago.

The production is recommended for patrons 13 years old and up. The evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. Advanced tickets purchases are strongly encouraged. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission seating, first come; first servE. Lewis students, faculty and staff tickets are $2. Tickets are non-refundable. For more information, patrons can call the box office (815) 836-5500, Monday through Friday, 1-4:30 p.m. Patrons can also email boxoffice@lewisu.edu. The theatre is located on the Lewis University main campus in the Oremus Fine Arts Center on Route 53 in Romeoville.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

Pictured: (clockwise) Matthew Carlson, Jordin Richards, Jake Dorencz, Katy Papineau, and Tyler Senjanin in the fantastical one-act farce, "Box Office, A History".