Geneva Underground Playhouse to stage 'K-PAX' premiere

Call it "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" meets "Miracle on 34th Street."

That's the way Director Eric Schwartz sums up "K-PAX," the next production at the Geneva Underground Playhouse, which opens Friday, May 7, for eight performances through Saturday, May 22.

It is the North American premiere of the play, which was adapted by New York author Gene Brewer from his own novel. He has written two sequels to "K-PAX" the novel, forming what is known as the K-PAX trilogy.

The play was adapted into a screenplay - not by Brewer - which was made into a movie starring Kevin Spacey.

Because the play is being performed for the first time in the United States, Brewer will attend a performance and will be available to meet with the public afterward.

The story takes place in a mental institution, where one guest claims to be an alien, named Prot from the planet, K-PAX. While the doctor at the institution probes his mind, attempting to find out who he really might be, Prot helps improve the lives of fellow guests at the institution and influences everyone around him.

The show features Geneva resident Pat Able as Dr. Gene Brewer and Scott Surowiecki of Chicago as Prot. Other actors performing in the play include: Angela Bend (Bess) of St. Charles; Kathy Richardson (Giselle) of Elburn; Steve Lord (Chuck) of Geneva; Russ Devereaux (Ernie) of St. Charles; Peter Lemongelli (Howie) of Cicero; and Angelicque Cate (Betty) of Elgin.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, May 7-22, and 3 p.m. Sundays, May 9 and 16.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased with a credit card online at genevaundergroundplayhouse.com. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at (630) 232-7683.