Theatre at the Center Presents Chicago Premiere of MAKING GOD LAUGH 5/03-6/10

Inspired by the Woody Allen joke, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans”, Sean Grennan’s newest work, MAKING GOD LAUGH, will mark its Chicago Premiere at Theatre at the Center. Produced in association with First Folio Theatre, this heartwarming comedy previews May 3 and runs through June 10 at 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. The press performance will be Sunday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Directed by William Pullinsi, MAKING GOD LAUGH will star Chicago favorites Peggy Roeder, Craig Spidle, Kevin McKillip, Joe Foust and Erin Noel Grennan.

MAKING GOD LAUGH is a family comedy, following “empty nest” parents “Jimmy” (Craig Spidle) and “Ruthie” (Peggy Roeder), as they welcome their children home over various holidays, each ten years apart. Starting at Thanksgiving 1980, the newly “launched” kids - a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football player – all return home, and audiences learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. Over the course of thirty years’ worth of celebrations, including Christmas 1990, New Year’s Eve 2000 and Easter in the present, audiences follow the parents and grown children as they adapt to their new adult relationships. Tensions flare up as unresolved issues, old family traditions and dubious recipes are trotted out.

In this play that is at times hilarious and at times touching, audiences will find this unique and yet oddly familiar family slipping into their hearts. From lines that you could swear came out of your own mother’s mouth to situations that you never saw coming, MAKING GOD LAUGH is a real theatrical treat!

Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and select Thursday evening and Saturday matinees. Individual ticket prices range from $38 - $42. 4-Pack subscriptions are now available. Each 4-Pack subscription is good for one ticket to each of Theatre at the Center’s remaining 2012 productions. At only $136, it fits into any budget and makes a perfect gift for Mother’s Day. To purchase 4-Pack subscriptions or individual tickets call the Box Office at219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more and gift certificates, perfect for all special occasions, are also available. For more information onTheatre at the Center, visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com. 

The Artistic Team is led by Artistic Director ofTheatre at the Center William Pullinsi. The design team includes Scenic Designer Angie Weber-Miller, Lighting Designer Geoff Bushor, Sound Designer Barry G. Funderburg, Costume Designer Brenda Winstead with Wardrobe Supervisor Alice Broughton, Wig DesignerKevin Barthel and Props Designer Libby Fandrei.The Stage Manager is Rebecca Green, the Production Manager/Technical Director is Ann Davis and TATC’s General Manager is Richard Friedman.

Theatre at the Center is offering numerous special events to enhance the theater experience in conjunction withMAKING GOD LAUGH. A Beer & Wine Tasting event will be held Friday, May 4 with the tasting at 6:30 p.m. followed by the 8 p.m. performance. Talkback Thursday is on May 10. Audience members will enjoy a free post-show discussion directly following the performance featuring members of the cast and creative team. The2nd Saturday Symposium will be held Saturday, May 12 at 3 p.m. Join the playwright ofMAKING GOD LAUGH, Sean Grennan, for a FREE pre-show discussion titled “Don’t Get Me Started on My Family!”. Reservations are required. Finally, on Thursday, May 24, enjoyEat, Play & Laugh , a Dinner/Theatre event. The pre-show dinner at 5:30 p.m. is conveniently located right across from the theatre lobby. This is followed by the 7:30 p.m. performance.

Founded in 1991,Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is Located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, and has free parking.