Mundelein High School announces 2014-15 thater season
A world high school premier, two classic comedies and a fun family musical make up the 2014-15 theatrical season at Mundelein High School.
The fall play is "Trust" by David Schwimmer and Andy Bellin. "Trust" has only been produced one other time, in its world premiere in 2010 at Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago. MHS Theatre will be presenting the world high school premiere of this yet-to-be-published play. It is the story of a seemingly innocent online encounter that threatens to unravel the fabric of an American family when their teenage daughter is victimized after she befriends a man she meets on the Internet.
As the Internet increasingly becomes the hunting ground for predators, this production will serve not only to raise awareness, but move and empower audience members to take action in their communities and within their own families. Mundelein High School has enlisted, as community engagement partners, the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office and the Mundelein Police Department.
These groups, along with the social work staff at MHS, will be building educational programs around the play for both the community and the students and staff of MHS. "Trust" will be performed Nov. 13-15.
The winter offering consists of two plays, performed in a rotating repertory style. "The Odd Couple" and "The Odd Couple - Female Version," both written by Neil Simon, will be performed in alternating performances on a shared set.
"The Odd Couple," an iconic American comedy, follows the story of the lovable slob, Oscar Madison, and the neurotic neat freak Felix Ungar, who decide to live together, even though their personalities clash. "The Odd Couple - Female Version" follows the same story line, though in this version, the characters are Olive Madison and Florence Ungar.
Both plays are hilarious dark comedies. For these productions, the audience will be seated on the stage in a 200-seat thrust configuration (audience on three sides of the performing area). "The Odd Couple" will be performed on Jan. 29 and 31, and "The Odd Couple - Female Version" will be performed on Jan. 28 and 30. A special discount ticket will be offered to those wanting to see both plays.
To conclude the theater season, Mundelein audiences will be heading into the swamp, not to mention the Kingdom of Dulac, as "Shrek - The Musical," rounds out the year. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, "Shrek - The Musical" is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure featuring songs from Jeanine Tesori ("Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Caroline or Change") and a sidesplitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. "Shrek" brings all the beloved characters from the film to life onstage. "Shrek - The Musical" will be performed April 30 and May 1-3.
More information about the season can be found at www.mhstheatre.net.