SORDID LIVES To Open At Riverfront Playhouse
Ann Keen and Mark Fazio lead the cast in Patrick Deering's production in Aurora, IL.
"Sordid Lives" is set to open at Riverfront Playhouse on May 22, running through June 20.
When Peggy, a good Christian woman, hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover's wooden legs in a motel room, chaos erupts in Winters, Texas. Nominated for over 30 awards during its original run in Los Angeles, the show is written by Del Shores who also directed the 2000 film adaptation starring Olivia Newton John, Delta Burke, and Leslie Jordan.
The production is directed by Riverfront veteran Patrick Deering. The 2025 Lou Award Recipient for Best Supporting Actress ("August: Osage County") Ann Keen stars as Latrelle, Noah Reilly (Paramount Pictures "Babylon") as Ty, Julie Do as Bitsy Mae, Kathy Racine as Sissy, Cheri Heinz as Noletta, Sarah Hall as LaVonda, Gary Wendel as G.W., John Button as Wardell, Mark Geiger as Odell, Brenda Scharlau as Dr. Eve, and Mark Fazio as Brother Boy. Tyna and Hans Ashman as set design and Luke Harmon as lighting design.
"While audiences will laugh at the hilarity of the characters, there is an underlying message of acceptance," Deering said. Riverfront will hold events with similar positive themes, open to the public throughout the run of the show. Such as marching in Aurora Pride, followed by a "Love is Love Cabaret" where women sing songs traditionally sung by men and vice versa, preceding the June 14 performance. There will also be a NOH8 photo campaign, a charitable organization to promote human equality during Aurora's First Friday on June 5 from 5-7 p.m, before that evening's performance as well.
Performances will running for five weeks, at 8 p.m. each Friday and Saturday including 3 p.m. matinees on Sunday May 31 and June 7, before closing on June 20. Tickets are on sale now, available at the Riverfront Playhouse website, or by calling 630-897-9496. Ticket prices are $18 for seniors/students and $20 for adults or an additional $2 at the door.
An approximate runtime of 90 minutes, the show contains mature themes (language, sexuality) and is recommended for ages 13 and up.

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