Wheaton Drama Brings Silent Film To Life

Wheaton Drama will present the second show of their 2018-2019 season, "Silent Laughter" by Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore. An homage to the slapstick days of early silent movies, "Silent Laughter" is the story of Billy, a hapless schnook in New York, 1917. Not just a retread of pie fights and pratfalls (although they are certainly present), "Silent Laughter"takes up the challenge of presenting death-defying Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin/Harold Lloyd style gags, with a bit of Laurel & Hardy and Musty Suffer.

Director Craig Gustafson of Lombard is at the head of this hilarious & quirky project. Gustafson, a veteran director of many plays & musicals, says he most enjoys the challenge of this piece, reflecting that he's never done something quite like it. Gustafson, along with stunt choreographer Andrew Trygstad, have worked to craft an engaging comedy that is entirely visual, using their cast of 10 actors in bits of physical comedy & sight gags with no spoken work. The play does include projected subtitles, as one would expect within a classic silent film.

Gustafson shared that as he researched "Silent Laughter", he was able to identify gags & sequences from many classic silent films, serving as his motivation for becoming involved in the project. Aside from classic comedic gags, audiences can also expect to be dazzled by the live accompaniment at each performance. "Silent Laughter" truly is a silent film live on stage that is not to be missed!

"Silent Laughter" will play at Wheaton Drama's Playhouse 111, located at 111 N. Hale Street, downtown Wheaton, from November 16 through December 9. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 3pm. There is no performance on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving Day).

Tickets & information are available online at www.wheatondrama.orgor by calling 630-260-1820.