Short Story Theatre Presents An Evening of Short Stories

Short Story Theatre presents an evening of four warm, wise and wonderful true stories on Thursday, MAY 2, 2019, at 7:30 p.m. at Miramar Bistro, 301 Waukegan Ave. in Highwood. Tickets are $10 at the door. For pre-show dinner reservations (mention Short Story Theatre): 847-433-1078. Drinks are available during the show.

Former restaurateur and current raconteur, Bruce Bertucci, recalls growing up in Highwood and his teenage misadventures in his story "My Friend Eddie the Ditch."

In "A Quiet Night on the Black Horse Pike," Anthony Bilotti of Highwood picks up a hitchhiker late at night on the way to Camp May. Or is it the twilight zone? Highland Park resident Julie Isaacson pays tribute to a memorable teacher in her story "Where Goodness Flows."

Judy Yacker, also of Highland Park, making her debut with Short Story Theatre, finds that the universe delivers an unusual source of comfort during a time of grief. Short Story Theatre was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to promoting storytelling as a vibrant, contemporary art form.

Co-founder and Producer Donna Lubow says, "Stories are creative non-fiction, based on personal experiences. Our troupe of more than fifty members from Chicago and the northern suburbs melds writing skills and performance skills to entertain and inspire audiences."

For more information and for guidelines for submission: www.shortstorytheatre.com.

BIOS OF STORYTELLERS:

Bruce Bertucci was born and raised in Highland Park. His family comes from Pievepelago in the province of Modena, Italy. Grandfather Bertucci came to Highwood in 1907. Bruce attended Highland Park High School and Miami-Dade JC. He owned Rainbows Bar and Grill and along with his wife Lynne, Bertucci's Italian Steakhouse in Highwood. N Anthony Bilotti lived in a suburb of Philadelphia as a child, moved to Philadelphia as an adult and then Chicago in 1976 after meeting his wife, Emma Kowalenko. He and Emma have worked together for 25 years, following his education in environmental studies and public health. He holds a Ph.D. in Health Policy Analysis from UIC, where he managed a training and research center before joining Kowalenko Consulting Group, Inc. in 1993, providing environmental planning and engineering services for private clients and government agencies at all levels. He has served on boards of professional, community service, and non-profit organizations for many years. He loves living in Highwood, where he and Emma moved from Highland Park in 2014. He and Emma have traveled throughout their 40 + years of marriage and continue to do so. He enjoys bicycling with the Chicago Kibitzers (yes!). He takes pleasure in sharing his life experiences with friends and family. This year he and Emma took part in the University of Iowa Writing Festival. This and Emma's storytelling have inspired him to share the unique experiences that all of us have in our minds.

Julie Isaacson lives in Highland Park and has retired from its school system as a Special Education and Early Literacy teacher. She currently teaches kids of all ages in her home and is passionate about teaching writing to adolescents. Julie has been published in East on Central, Highland Park Poetry, and Voices and Visions of Sister Cities. She has combined her love of cooking and writing into two books, The Angry Chef: Satisfying Recipes Inspired by Unsatisfying Relationships. This anthology launched her own satisfying relationship with Short Story Theatre, a venue she thoroughly enjoys as her storytelling family.

Judy Yacker is currently a speech-language pathologist in a nearby public school's early childhood program where she helps preschool students with speech and language delays to communicate and find their voices. Previously, she was a high school English teacher, where she encouraged students to find their own voices and tell their own stories. She lives in Highland Park with her husband Scott, her dog Kiwi, and occasionally, her mostly flown the coop sons, Colin and Bryan. She is honored and humbled to have an opportunity to tell her story with such talented storytellers.