UAC Theatre to Host WILD PARTY at Phoenix

Up and Coming Theatre Company is celebrating its recent BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards by throwing a party at Phoenix Bar & Nightclub.

In the wake of winning five awards for its summer production of "American Idiot," the company will present Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party" at 7 p.m. Feb. 26-27 and 5 p.m. Feb. 28. Tickets are $20 for guaranteed seating and $15 for standing room.

This is UAC's inaugural winter show, as well as its first production at Phoenix, 1932 E. Higgins Road in Elk Grove Village. The venue offers a unique space in which the company hopes to present a unique take on the musical, which transports the audience to a wild night of drinking, dancing and debauchery in the 1920s.

"We're so fortunate to be partnering with Phoenix on this show. It will be the absolute perfect backdrop to tell the story of 'The Wild Party,'" says director Jason Harrington. "As our stellar cast performs on Phoenix's LED dance floor with the audience as close to the action as possible, we know everyone will truly feel they're a part of the show."

The production stars Jill Sesso as Queenie, Dan Ermel as Burrs, Steve Peter as Black and Linda Andrews as Kate. The cast also features Emily Durham as Madelaine True, J.C. O'Sullivan as Eddie, Jenna Payne as Mae, Catherine Athenson as Jackie, David Spearman as Oscar D'Armano, James Faust as Phil D'Armano, John Fogarty as Max, Amanda Axel as Nadine, Alex Buda as Sam, Ashley Peter as Dolores, Kailey Hopkins as Reno and Erica Chin as Goldie.

Kelly Fitzgerald, a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-winner for her work on "American Idiot," is the production's music director. The choreographer is Dina DiCostanzo, and the producer is Lindsey Weiss.

"UAC prides itself on providing our community with new and exciting theatrical experiences, and 'The Wild Party' is no exception," says Weiss, who also serves as president of the company's board of directors. "We're thrilled to present such a unique production as our very first winter show, and we can't wait for audiences to join the party at Phoenix."

For tickets or more information, visit uactheatre.com.

About Up and Coming Theatre Company

For more than 20 years, Up and Coming Theatre Company has aimed to present professional-quality productions while providing aspiring artists with opportunities to grow in their work. A proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre and the Illinois Theatre Association, UAC received the ITA's Award of Excellence, Community Theatre Division, in 2009, as well as five BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards in 2016. For more information, visit www.uactheatre.com.