Schaumburg High grad lead in 'Star Spangled Girl'

Back in her days at Schaumburg High School, Dana Peters typically won the comic relief roles, including playing the part of Truvy in "Steel Magnolias," and a featured part in "Noises Off."

This weekend, she finds her comedic talents put to the test, as she stars in the Hidden Talent Theatre Company's production of "The Star Spangled Girl," by Neil Simon.

The show opens with shows at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, with the same showtimes next weekend through Aug. 31, at Cutting Hall in Palatine.

"The script is filled with these incredible one-liners," says Peters, 20, of Hoffman Estates, entering her junior year at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. "It's absolutely brilliant how he has them playing throughout."

In the show, Peters spars with veteran community actor Geoffrey Maher of Palatine, as well as newcomer Jim Gattone of Lake in the Hills, in the three-person ensemble cast, under the direction of Laura Knoerr of Elgin.

The play takes place in an apartment building in San Francisco, in 1966. Simon wrote the play in between his better known works, "Barefoot in the Park," and the "Odd Couple," and consequently, the show features elements from both.

In fact, Maher, who performed in the female version of the "Odd Couple" last summer at Theatre in the Woods in Riverwoods, sees a lot of similarities between his character, and the sloppy and wisecracking roommate, Oscar.

"Neil Simon is just brilliant, with his dry, sarcastic wit," Maher says. "The play is hilarious."

Knoerr, who serves as artistic director for the company, ways the smart, intelligent comedy fit the bill for the group now in its third season, whose mission is to give new actors a foundation while promoting multicultural casting.

"We were looking for a comedy and something light," Knoerr says. "This had all the elements that make it current, with an Olympic swimmer, politics, freedom of speech, and what it means to be a patriot."

The entire play takes place in a set of apartments located in a restored Victorian house. Peters plays, Sophia, the former Olympic swimmer, who moves in next door to Maher and Gattone, who are trying to make ends meet, publishing an anti-establishment magazine.

A love triangle of sorts develops, though the political bickering threatens to wreak havoc on the relationships.

"Neil Simon writes really good male characters, but Sophia is a really strong character, too," Knoerr adds. "And all of the acting has to be good, since it's just the three of them, there's no relief."

The fast-paced comedy comes after Hidden Talent has mounted mostly serious dramas to date, ranging from "Requiem for a Heavyweight," to "Slow to Anger," and "Who's Crazy Now?"

"We felt, as a mainstream production, this fit perfectly with our company," says Gattone, who also serves as executive director. "It offers us some contrast, while we are getting to perform Neil Simon's great comedy, with its built in timing and delivery."

If you go

What: Hidden Talent Theatre Company's production of "The Star Spangled Girl" by Neil Simon

When: Opens at 8 p.m. Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, and at 3 p.m. Aug. 24, with shows continuing at the same times on weekends through Aug. 31

Where: Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St. in Palatine

Cost: $13-$15 in advance, $2 more at the door, plus $1 service fee per ticket

Call: (847) 202-5222 or visit www.hiddentalenttheatre.org