UAC Theater re-imagines the Fosse's 'Sweet Charity'
Up and Coming Theatre Company invites you to experience its fresh view on the classic musical "Sweet Charity."
Performances will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights. Tickets are available for $20 each at uactheatre.org.
"Sweet Charity" follows the life of Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall girl who is looking for love and believes the man of her dreams is just around the corner. The score, includes the songs "Big Spender!" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now," dancing originally choreographed by Broadway legend Bob Fosse and one of the most memorable heroines of the past 60 years.
Jason Harrington, winner of 2017 BroadwayWorld Chicago Non-Equity Award for Best Director for UAC's 2016 production of "Heathers," is directing this year's production of "Sweet Charity."
"UAC chose 'Sweet Charity' because it allowed us to take a step in a new direction from our past few seasons. We often perform energetic, dance-driven shows, which this absolutely is, but it's also of a very different style and era than we normally produce," Harrington said.
"What audience members may not expect, is how touching Charity's journey is. She is such a special character, because no matter how many times she stumbles or is wronged, she approaches her next adventure with a hopeful perspective."
"Sweet Charity" features a cast of Chicago area performers, starring Annie Jo Ermel as Charity Hope Valentine, Aaron Stash as Oscar Lindquist, Steve Peter as Vittorio Vidal and Daddy Brubek, Carly Vadnais as Nickie, Linda Andrews as Helene and Terry Bangs as Herman.
Other cast members include: Erica Chin, Nicolette de Guia, Nicolle DeRoeck, Paige Dirkes-Jacks, Marixa Ford, Coco Kasperowicz, Katey Kelleher, Ryan Kelleher, Pratik Mamtora, Erin O'Brien, Ashley Peter, Paul Stowick, Jennifer Thomas, Kara Vombrack, Emma Widlowski, Hannah Yonan.
"One of the most exciting and intriguing parts of this show is how Jason has taken inspiration from a nontraditional artist and incorporated that into the world of Charity. Audience members will be surprised at how a classic show can live in a new, different world," said Producer Lindsey Weiss.
"Sweet Charity" is produced by Lindsey Weiss, James Faust and Kelly Fitzgerald. Marty Karlin is the music director and Dina DiCostanzo is choreographer. Alec Kinastowski, a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award winner for his work on UAC's production of "Heathers," is sound designer and Mason Delman, a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award winner for "Heathers" is light designer.
"The talent level from this all-star cast, led by Annie Jo Ermel, takes this Fosse classic to new heights. The performers are some of the strongest we've ever seen," said Producer Kelly Fitzgerald.
For tickets or more information, visit uactheatre.org.
For more than 20 years, Up and Coming Theatre Company has aimed to present professional quality productions while providing aspiring artists with opportunities to grow in their work.
UAC has received the Illinois Theatre Association's Award of Excellence, Community Theatre Division in 2009, five BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards for their production of "American Idiot," and four BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards for their production of "Heathers: The Musical."
For information, visit www.uactheatre.org.