Riverfront Playhouse puts on 'Mad Gravity'

The Riverfront Playhouse presents "Mad Gravity" by William Missouri Downs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through April 15 at the theater, 11 S. Water St. in Aurora.

Co-directed by Patrick Deering of Batavia and Amaria Von Dran of Geneva, it is a lighthearted look at relationships, parenting, and the meaning of life.

"Mad Gravity" features the talents of Jennifer Schreiner of Plainfield as Dakota, the privacy-challenged daughter of performance artists Eudora and Archie (played by Kirsten Carroccia of Batavia and David Besky of Chicago). It takes place on the evening that they meet Dakota's ultra conservative, future in-laws for the first time. Sycamore residents Scott Montavon and Bonnie Miller play the in-laws. As Joe and Mary enter, they discover Eudora and Archie have built a theater onto their living room, and they unwittingly become part of the family's performance art. However when they learn a comet is headed toward earth, maintaining the fourth wall will be the least of their problems.

According to co-director Amaria Von Dran, "This play is based in reality. When you see this show, you're also witnessing this crazy family's performance art right there in their living room. We want the audience to get so into it that they forget, even for a second, that they're watching a show. But instead, feel as though they are in the show."

Co-director Patrick Deering added "Mad Gravity is sure to be a fun night of theater. I fell in love with the script the first time I read it, and even after many subsequent readings, the dialogue still makes me laugh, and this cast is bringing something to their characters that audiences will just love."

Tickets are $17 or $15 for students and seniors, age 65 or older. For tickets, call (630) 897-9496 or visit www.riverfrontplayhouse.com.