District 203 teacher stars in 'Gypsy'
The Summer Place, Naperville's community theater since 1966, will perform “Gypsy,” in collaboration with Traveling Trunk Entertainment.
Naperville Central High School teacher and newspaper adviser of the award-winning Central Times, Keith Carlson of Naperville is one of the performers bringing his talent to the stage.
Carlson has been a performer for over 20 years and has been performing with theater organizations throughout the community. Most recently, he starred in the leading role of Max Bialystock in North Central College's summer production of “The Producers.” He is making his debut with Summer Place in the lead role of Herbie.
“I've always wanted to work with Summer Place Theatre, but my school and family schedule prevented me from auditioning,” said Carlson. “My schedule, coupled with the flexible SPT rehearsals allowed me to audition. Plus, my daughter Grace is in the show – so we have family time at rehearsals!”
Joining Carlson is fellow Naperville Central staff member Katie Piper as Tesse Tura and District 203 students: Sophie Michael (Young Louise), Ryan Casey (Newsboy), Jordan Piper (Hollywood Blonde), Brandon Piper (Photographer and Stage Hand), Shannon Piper (Audition Youth), and Ian Emerson (Georgie/Stage Hand/Weber/Kringelein).
“Gypsy” will be performed at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Feb 4-12 and 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 6 and 13 at Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave., Suite 131, Naperville.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $14 for students and seniors, and $10 for children 5 to 12. Please call (630) 355-7969, order on line at www.summerplacetheatre.org, or e-mail boxoffice@summerplacetheatre.org.
The Summer Place Theatre has been Naperville's community theatre since 1966. Founded by Donald Jamison and Dr. Donald Shanower of North Central College in 1966, the first seasons were held in a circus tent on an empty parking lot with seats donated by a local movie house. After several tornadoes the site was replaced with an outdoor pavilion, which, thanks to the Great Blizzard of 1979, was again replaced. Since then the company moved to Naperville Central High School and has remained a part of the community since its inception.