Village Players Present Far From Freud-A New Musical

Village Players Performing Arts Center Presents:

FAR FROM FREUD

A Contemporary New Musical

Teen mother. Closeted husband. Dying businesswoman. Estranged couple. These are the faces in Far From Freud, a contemporary new musical premiering at Village Players Performing Arts Center, January 16 – 25, 2009.

Far From Freud confronts the challenges of life and follows the quest for new beginnings.  Though the characters are all seeing the same therapist, they come to learn that their greatest source of comfort and healing is in their relationships with each other.  Featuring a vibrant, modern score, Far From Freud is a moving and powerful celebration of the strength of the human spirit.  The show is written by Phil Riegle and directed by Christopher Pazdernik.

The genesis of the show goes back to a friendship between two students at Elmhurst College.  Author Riegle debuted two songs from his musical at a voice recital in spring of 2008.  In the audience was Pazdernik, who was so taken by the two numbers presented, that he offered to direct the show on the spot.  The two friends then work-shopped the material all summer and this production will be the first public performance of the piece.

Pazdernik recently assistant directed the Jeff-recommended production of Candide and directed the first annual Holiday Sing-a-Long, both for Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago.  At Village Players, he has choreographed The Full Monty and Love in the Middle Ages, as well as teaching last year's summer camp.  Riegle is currently finishing up his degree in Music Education from Elmhurst College.

The ensemble cast includes Stephanie Foster, James Gavin, Sydney Genco, Michael Mejia, Jennifer Noble, Laura MacGregor, Erin Marie O'Shea, Andrew Toniolo, and Joe Zordan.  The Production Team also includes Stage Manager Dominic Clemente and pianist Kimberly Widmer.

Far From Frued opens January 16 and runs through January 25, 2009.  Performances are Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM & Sundays at 6:00 PM.  All tickets are $20.

Presented in the Playground Theater of the Village Players Performing Arts Center located at 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Plenty of parking is available on the street. The theater is handicap accessible; please call ahead to arrange for special seating.   Tickets available at www.village-players.org or by calling 866-764-1010.

Village Players Performing Arts Center offers an eclectic mix of entertainment that empowers and inspires while exploring the human condition.