Rachel Rockwell Directs Leaving Iowa on Pheasant Run Mainstage, Closes 3/13

The newly named Fox Valley Repertory, formerlyNoble Fool Theatricals, proudly presents Leaving Iowa, a touching comedy about recounting youth and family vacations, directed by Chicago's award-winning Rachel Rockwell, at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; admin telephone 630-443-0438). The production will close on March 13, 2011.  

Written by Midwesterns Tim Clue and Spike Manton, Leaving Iowa was developed in a suburban Chicagoland theatre before it was noticed by Jeff Daniels' Purple Rose Theatre. In 2004, the show premiered to critical praise and achieved record sales in its debut. In this touching comedy, middle-aged writer Don Browning is searching for the perfect spot to scatter his father's ashes. As he travels the paths his family took on their annual vacations, images of his father and the shared family tortures surround his memories.

"The real spark behind this work comes from being children of parents from the now dubbed "greatest generation," says co-writer Tim Clue. "Leaving Iowa is a toast to their idealism and character, and perhaps a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family road trip. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found themselves driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of their youth."

"With the new Fox Valley Rep's expanded vision of creating engaging entertainment that makes you laugh, reflect and reconnect with moments in your life, I feel that this show does just that," adds Fox Valley Rep's Artistic Director John Gawlik. "We want to evoke laughter and love on the stage so that our patrons can truly relate and connect to their own human experiences."

Director Rachel Rockwell is pleased to return to Noble Fool where her work was last seen in It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Married Alive and Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical. Recent directing credits include Ragtime (Jeff nomination) at Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Emperor's New Clothes at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Les Miserables (associate), Nunsense, Disney's High School Musical, Seussical, Disney's Aladdin, Princess and the Pea and Cinderella at the Marriott Theatre: Miss Saigon (Jeff nomination) and The Wizard of Oz at Drury Lane Oakbrook and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown! at Drury Lane Water Tower Place. Chicago Magazine recently named her Chicago's "best director" of 2010.

The cast of Leaving Iowa features (in alphabetical order): Katherine Banks, Anna Carini, Diane Dorsey, Sean Patrick Fawcett, Don Forston and Alex Goodrich.

Leaving Iowa opens on Thursday, January 20, 2011 and runs through Sunday, March 13, 2011. Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. Thursday matinees are available at 2pm on: January 20, 27; February 3, 17; and March 10, 2011. The show is rated PG.

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.foxvalleyrep.org.

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