Redish, Stein Return To Chicago For B.R.A.T.T. Camp 6/26-28 At Highland Park

Chicagoland natives Jessica Redish and Justin Stein will return home this summer to work on La Red Music Theatre's World Premiere Production of B.R.A.T.T. Camp, by Bobby Cronin. Highland Park native Jessica Redish will direct and choreograph the production, and Glencoe native Justin Stein will portray the principal role of "Cody." The production will play at The Highland Park Community House (1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL) on June 26 and 27 at 8 pm, with matinees on June 27 and 28 at 2 pm. Tickets are $25, and may be purchased online at www.laredmusictheatre.org.

The new musical follows five troubled teens shipped off to a disciplinary camp, where it's the B.R.A.T.T.s versus nature. They must wrestle with their problems in the isolated and challenging terrain of the forest.

"I am so excited to start working on B.R.A.T.T. Camp," says Stein. "It's really nice to return to my musical theatre roots after singing pop music for the past year.

Stein spent Summer 2008 as the opening performer on Corbin Bleu's national tour; he will be featured in the 2010 film adaptation of Athol Fugard's Master Harold...and the Boys. Other credits include "Camelot Live at Lincoln Center" and singing on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." Local audiences may remember his performance in the Ravinia Festival's Gypsy with Patti LuPone.

"I'm very excited to collaborate with this creative team and cast, including Justin, with whom I have performed in the past," says Redish, La Red's Artistic Director. Redish and Stein first collaborated five years ago in a professional production in Chicago. "His energy is contagious and I'm excited for him to be heading this cast."

Redish, a Northwestern University graduate, has directed and choreographed productions across the country. Recently, she served as Movement Director of the Off-Broadway hit Adding Machine, and as Artistic Director of La Red, she conceived Michael Mahler's revue of his music, Moving Forward, Looking Back, presented in New York in 2007. In Highland Park, she directed, choreographed and conceived last summer's hit 48-Hour Musicals.

"What's most exciting to me about directing B.R.A.T.T. Camp is seeing through a piece I believe in so strongly," says Redish. "I am thrilled we will be presenting this work in Highland Park. I am thrilled to try the piece out in our community; people here are honest and responsive. I look forward to hearing their thoughts." Stein is equally excited to return home: "You can't beat Chicago Summer!"

Having left Highland Park and Glencoe to successfully pursue careers in the performing arts, Redish and Stein have their sights set on continued success. "I want to continue to cultivate, adapt, direct and choreograph new works," says Redish. "I'd like to present them with La Red in Highland Park in the summers and eventually, bring them to New York."

"I want to do it all!" says Stein. "I want to be a successful performer on stage and screen. I also want to be a solo artist. I plan on continuing to write and hopefully will direct and produce someday."

B.R.A.T.T. Camp is music directed by Keith Harrison, and also features : Jason Bowen, Rebecca Chicoine, Megan Pietrantonio, Emily Rogers, Andrew Temkin and Aaron White. Tickets are $25 each, and may be purchased at www.laredmusictheatre.org.

 

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