Village Theatre Guild presents 'The Country House'
A theatrical family comes to terms with the roles they play in each others' lives in "The Country House," a production of the Village Theatre Guild that opens Friday, Jan. 20.
In this drama by Donald Margulies, Anna has gathered the family at their country house in the Berkshires on the anniversary of the death of her daughter. Restless egos and simmering jealousies derail the weekend, and what was to be a time for reminiscence, suddenly turns into something much greater.
Directed by James A. Terrill-Liesz and produced by Renata Allelujka, the show features a cast that includes Susan Carr, Ellen Hill, Geoffrey Maher, Doug Orlyk, Guy Sullivan and Tina Vorreyer.
Cast members and the director reflected on what they originally found interesting about the play and how the process has evolved over the past few weeks of rehearsals.
Director Terrill-Liesz was a fan of the show after seeing a Broadway version in 2014.
"It is such a well-written play; the characters are so real, that the storytelling becomes almost instinctively natural for the actors," he said.
Maher was eager to audition for a role in the production.
"I read the script before coming to auditions and I was blown away by the natural-sounding dialogue and the relationships developed by the characters throughout the play," he said. "Each character has moments to shine throughout the show, and I loved the ensemble nature of the piece."
Vorreyer had appeared in Margulies' "Time Stands Still" earlier this season, so she appreciates the playwright and his material.
"Donald Margulies is amazing in that his dialogue is so natural that his characters come off as believable. So believable that I hope the audience leaves 'The Country House' feeling like they just witnessed real people in a real life family facing real life situations and emotions," she said.
Cast member Carr has learned much about the show during the weeks of rehearsal.
"It's striking how each character has multiple layers of motivation and emotion, which is, of course, what makes the characters complex and real," she said. "When these motivations and emotions mesh, you see the strong bonds that tie the characters together; when they don't mesh, you see the tension played out on stage dramatically."
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 11, at 2S720 Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.
In addition to Sundays, 3 p.m. matinees will be held on two Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4.
Tickets are $18 and may be reserved by calling (630) 469-8230 or emailing tickets@villagetheatreguild.org.
If you go
What; Village Theatre Guild presents "The Country House"
When: Friday, Jan. 20, to Saturday, Feb. 11; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays and Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4
Where: 2S720 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn
Tickets: $15
Info: (630) 469-8230 or tickets@villagetheatreguild.org