Kirk Players to present 150th show

As the Kirk Players begin performances this weekend on their latest show, they mark a major milestone.

"A Nice Family Gathering" is the 150th show for the group, which is in its 44th year of operating as Mundelein's go-to live community theater company.

It seems appropriate, then that founder John W. Lynn, 80, is directing and starring in the production.

"I never thought we'd do three shows, let alone 150," Lynn said. "But back in the mid-'60s there was an interest in our little community of Mundelein for fresh, live theater. And we tapped into that interest and just kept on punching the shows out! And the next thing we knew, we were the Kirk Players."

So reflected Lynn recently as he took time out from memorizing lines for the lead role in the comedy by Phil Olson, which opens Friday.

"This is the kind of show that our patrons really love. It's a great story about your typical dysfunctional family that gets together for a holiday feast. The relationships and revelations that pop out over the course of the show make for a wonderful farce. The icing on the cake, of course, is the ghost of Dad, who merely wants to tell his widowed wife how much he loved her."

Fittingly, Lynn, the "father" of the Kirk Players, plays Dad. He didn't plan on doing double duty for the show, but he welcomed the opportunity to act and direct after reading the script and identifying with the rich dysfunctionality of the family.

"Everyone who sees this show will see someone from their family and smile a smile of love," he said.

Essentially, the story is told through the experience of Carl, played by veteran Kirk Player Josef Haas. Carl is the youngest son and is the only member of the family who can see Dad, who died recently of a heart attack.

Carl, an aspiring journalist who has had to settle for making a living as a truck driver, at first resists the wish of Dad, to tell Helen, his wife of nearly 40 years, how much he loved her.

Helen, played by veteran Kirk Player Bobbie La Belle, provides some comical moments throughout the story as she appears to be dealing with early onset dementia.

Then there is Michael, played by veteran Kirk Player Randy Rice, the chip-off-the-old block son, is beset with the weight of being the perfect son, even though he isn't. His wife, Jill, played by veteran Kirk Player Bev Johnson, is a beautiful catch but keeps buying her husband expensive things to pacify him for their inability to have a child.

When Jerry, the happy-go-lucky next door neighbor and Dad's former golf partner is invited to dinner by Helen, he suddenly gets labeled widow-stalker and potential thief by the paranoid sons. Jerry is played by played by veteran Kirk Player Royden Slade.

One final revelation takes place when Stacey, the quiet, oft-forgotten youngest child, makes an announcement that takes the nice family gathering into a farcical rollick. Stacy is played by guest performer Marilee Wald.

Capably assisting Lynn with directorial duties is guest assistant director Rick Fish. Veteran Kirk Player Jenny Tomlin is stage manager, assisted by Kirk Player Erick Campos. Veteran Kirk Player Fran Hansen and guest techie Jessica Stowe are teaming up to do props; costuming is being handled by Kirk Players Dave Kennebeck and Anna Lieberman. Veteran Kirk Player Chuck Fitz-Hugh is lighting designer, and sound design is provided by Kirk Player Dominick Basso. Veteran Kirk Player Brenda Sparks will provide set design, assisted by guest techie Tamazine Fritz.

If you go

What: Kirk Players present "A Nice Family Gathering"

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16

Where: Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St.

Cost: $12 for adults; $10 for students and seniors; $5 for children under 12

More info: kirkplayers.com