Local youth to perform at E.D.G.E Theatre's 'The Music Man Jr.'
E.D.G.E Theatre is pleased to announce their production of "The Music Man Jr.," by Meredith Willson and directed by Orion Couling, April 14-17, at Ridgewood High School, 7500 W. Montrose Ave., Norridge. Opening night is 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, with shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17. Tickets are $11 presale online, $30 for an all show pass, and $15 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at www.ufdmusicman.eventbrite.com.
When con man Harold Hill arrives in a small town in Iowa, he convinces the community he is a brilliant bandleader, despite having no musical literacy. He recruits a group of young boys to start a band and, in turn, pockets the money given to him for instruments and uniforms. However, Harold begins falling for the local librarian, Marian. Will Harold Hill be able to stick to his devious plan?
The cast of "The Music Man Jr." includes: Ethan Newett of Algonquin; Jamie Brooks, Cristina Cassata, Amanda Ewald, Grace Gallagher, Will Gallagher, Catie Nowak, Lauren Ovsey, Valerie Pajerski, Emma Riddle, and Gabrysia Sniadowski, all of Arlington Heights; Danny Orlando and Nicole Paradise, both of Bartlett; Sofia Defino of Bloomingdale; Josh Foy of Carpentersville; Laney Kirkpatrick and Laney Kirkpatrick, both of Crystal Lake; Bridget Brown of Darien; Kelsey Nolan and Clark Raymond, both of Elk Grove Village; Brigid Young of Elmhurst; Krissy Altersohn of Geneva; Sarah Bak of Glen Ellyn; Natalie Tittle of Hanover Park; Sophia Holmes, Emily Jandura, and Kevin Johnson, all of Hoffman Estates; Lindsey Pazerunas of Inverness; Garrett Anderson of Lake Zurich; Ali Musielski of Morton Grove; Alana Herr of Mount Prospect; David Ford and Jack Ford, both of Orland Park; Laura Manda, Geoffrey Mikol, Aiden Sanchez, Liam Sanchez, and Maggie Sanchez, all of Palatine; Eve Kelly of River Forest; Mitchell Brandon of Rolling Meadows; Allison Fogarty of Roselle; Erin Hager, Julia Neri, Allie Reninger, and Rachel Truesdell, all of Schaumburg; Natalie Herrera of South Elgin; Ashley McLeod of St. Charles; Bret Vybiral and Katie Warkel, both of Streamwood; Harry Fisher of Wheeling; and Bryan Nash and Katie Rodriguez.
"The Music Man Jr." production team includes Rick Olson, stage manager; Melissa Crabtree, costume designer; and assistant directors Alexandra Boroff, Angela Davis Couling, Jonathan Crabtree Miquela Cruz, Rebekah Horn, Jenny Neilson, Britney Nolan, and Sydney Ray.
E.D.G.E.'s acronym stands for "Esteem Development through Greater Expectations." Using the theater arts, they educate and entertain to foster the tools of social change. It has a goal of finding every participant's personal best and holding them accountable to it. Its main thrust is developing theater for marginalized communities and to bring a message of nonviolence, civic and social change through exploration of the theater arts. The four sectors are: E.D.G.E Core, company produced classes offered on a select curriculum in theater, social skills, history and stage combat; E.D.G.E. Satellite, programs produced, collaborated or subcontracted by an outside produced program; E.D.G.E Troupe, a professional actor program providing a training ground for interns from our marginalized community to observe the highest standards of professionalism and be part of the process; and E.D.G.E Workshops, limited time commitment programs are meant to harness their educational and entertainment abilities in a workshop environment. These programs are targeted for school assemblies, conventions, and camps.
ABOUT UPS FOR DOWNS
UPS for DownS is a parent directed, nonprofit organization offering support, education, and encouragement for parents, families and others who love and care about persons with Down syndrome. They inspire community acceptance by sharing with others the presence, potential and abilities of people with Down syndrome.
United Parent Support for Down Syndrome is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization who has been meeting the support and information needs of families and individuals with Down syndrome for over 30 years. With a vision of all people being valued members of their neighborhoods and communities in which we live, the organization emphasizes the importance of being included and participating in all aspects of your community. We strive to create opportunities for people of all abilities to learn, love, work and play side by side. For more information, visit www.upsfordowns.org.