Batavia grad to debut one-act 'Johnny's Mars'

The Geneva Underground Playhouse will host the premiere of a new one-act play by a Batavia resident. "Johnny's Mars," written by Will Burdin, a 2009 graduate of Batavia High School, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 to Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the playhouse, 524 W. State St.

Burdin, who will begin studying acting at Northern Illinois University in the fall, is a veteran of school and community theater productions in the area. He appeared as Bertram Cates, the teacher put on trial for teaching evolution, in the Geneva Underground Playhouse production of "Inherit the Wind" in the fall of 2008. It was coproduced by the Kane County Bar Association and took place in the Old Courthouse in Geneva.

Burdin also is a member of Acid Reflux, a central Kane County comedy group made up of teens, and the newest member of Gag Reflex Comedy Theater, a comedy group that's performed throughout the Midwest for 16 years. Burdin will both direct and act in "Johnny's Mars."

In addition to Burdin, the play features two other Batavia High School graduates - Michael Smith and Robbie Blotter - and one current Batavia High School student, Hannah Kettering.

"Johnny's Mars" is about three college students - a rebellious writer, a photographer with horizons in need of expanding and a guitarist headed down a bad path - who all realize they're not where they want to be in life. Through meeting each other, they all find a way to get back on track.

The drama features messages and themes for young adults, but not for youngsters.

The cost of the show is $5. For reservations, contact the Geneva Underground Playhouse at (630) 232-7683.