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Noble Fool Theatricals' current production of Tom Dudzick's hilarious and touching family comedy Over the Tavern, directed by John Gawlik, now extends through April 3, 2010 at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage Theater (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; telephone 630-584-6342).
Over the Tavern, originally scheduled to close on March 28, 2010, now has two additional performances added to its run. Additional performances are Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 8pm.
Tickets are priced at $29 on Fridays (and additional Thursday performances), and at $39 on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available at $46 on Fridays and $59 on Saturdays and Sundays. Group Rates, Student Discounts, and Overnight packages are also available.
It's 1959 in Buffalo, New York - Elvis, drive-ins, and The Honeymooners made life fun and simple. Not for the Pazinski household though! Polish-Catholics Chet and Ellen live above their tavern with their four teenagers, each questioning family values in their own mischievous ways. And when wise-cracking 12-year-old Rudy questions the Roman Catholic Church to ruler-cracking Sister Clarissa before his confirmation (proclaiming, "I read where there are over thirteen hundred religions in the world. I'd like to shop around!"), the outcome is a hilarious yet touching comedy that would even make the Cleavers at a loss for good advice!
"Over the Tavern reveals real-life issues with real people, rather than unrealistic 'characters'," says Artistic Director John Gawlik. "This show goes far beyond religious differences; the underlying issues of a family trying to stay strong during tough times is the real charm exemplified in this show. Any family - regardless of religion, faith, finances, etc - can relate and laugh at The Situations the Pazinksi family experiences."Noble Fool Theatricals' own artistic director, John Gawlik, directs the show after recently directing The Ruby Sunrise for The Gift Theatre Company, named one of the Top Ten shows of 2009 by TimeOut Chicago Magazine. Other recent directing credits include Noble Fool's smash hit Altar Boyz and the holiday classic A Christmas Story, the Jeff Nominated production of W;t for The Gift Theatre and Dated: A Cautionary Tale for Facebook Users for Collaboraction's Sketchbook Festival (Festival Best Director). Additional directing credits include Sylvia at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, the Jeff Recommended Gift production of Blithe Spirit, and the Jeff Award winning production of The Good Thief. OtherNoble Fool directing credits include Every Christmas Story Ever Told!, Glen Berger's Underneath the Lintel, the Midwest premier of The Complete History of America: Abridged, Western Civilization The Complete Musical: Abridged and Vikings! A Musical in Two Axe.
The cast of Over the Tavern features (in alphabetical order): Alex Adams (age 16, St. Charles; previously in every NFT Youth Ensemble production since its debut in 2006), Scott Cummins (Chicago), Gabriel Harder (age 13, Elgin; previously in NFT's A Christmas Story),Renee Matthews (Chicago; previously in NFT's Ruthless), Stacy Stoltz (Irving Park), Katrina Syrris (age 16, South Elgin) and Dan Velisek (age 16, Geneva).Over the Tavern opens on Thursday, February 4, 2010 and runs through April 3, 2010. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Thursday performances are available on February 4 and 11 at 8 p.m.; February 18, March 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. The show is rated PG, with some mild adult language.Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.noblefool.org.
