No rotten apples as Wheaton Drama prepares 'Bad Seed'
Wheaton Drama, Inc. is preparing its third show of the season, "Bad Seed".
Adapted by Maxwell Anderson from William March's novel, "Bad Seed" is an exciting thriller centering around what appears to be a perfect family. It is 1955 in a small southern town. Christine Penmark's lovely family is the envy of her friends and neighbors, yet Christine has concerns. Could it be that a recurring dream and a terrible accident during her daughter Rhoda's school picnic are indicative of a much darker truth?
Although the show considers the effects of a possible bad apple, offstage the cast is a harmonious, good-natured group that balances solid work at rehearsals with plenty of laughter.
The "Bad Seed" cast is comprised of a mix of Wheaton Drama veterans and newcomers. Anthony Berg (Addison) is Emory Wages; Marea Berkley Clement (Aurora) is Mrs. Daigle; Pat Daly (Naperville) is Mr. Daigle; Cesar Gonzales (Glendale Heights) is Kenneth Penmark; Rod Kelly (Lombard) is Reginald Tasker; Hannah Klose (Naperville) is Rhoda Penmark; Kristin Morris (Chicago) is Monica Breedlove; Jennifer Myers (Glen Ellyn) is Miss Fern; Amy Royle (Downers Grove) is Christine Penmark; Jack Smith (Bloomingdale) is Leroy; Jim Van de Velde (Villa Park) is Richard Bravo.
Director Jeni Dees (South Elgin), assistant director Jo-Ann Ledger (Bolingbrook), and production manager Ben Aylesworth (Bolingbrook) are heading the production team. Bruce Ebner (Batavia) is the stage manager, and Amy Johnson (Lombard) is the assistant stage manager.
Additional production staff include: Tracy L. Adams (properties); Dave Amato (sound design); Ken Beach (production photography); Traci A. Cidlik (graphic design); Jeni Dees (hair and make-up); Mary Engle and Berni Raymond (set decoration); Craig Gustafson (Starboard design); Susan Hajny (costume design); Melissa Heischberg (website); Jo-Ann Ledger (publicity); Steven Merkel (publicity photography); Rebecca Poole (tickets); Kate Quan (programme); Steve Schroeder (front of house); Jim Van De Velde (lighting design).
Willing to help out where needed, many of the production staff are wearing multiple "hats" and all are working hard to bring the elements of the show together. A segment of "Bad Seed" will be presented as the entertainment at the Wheaton Drama Jan. 17 general membership meeting (meetings are free and open to all - visit the WDI website for details). The meeting attendees will get a sneak peack of a show in excellent shape due to the efforts of the cast and staff.
Performances of "Bad Seed" are Jan. 27 through Feb. 19. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $13 each for Thursdays, $16 each Fridays - Sundays. "Bad Seed" is licensed by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
Wheaton Drama's 2011-2012 season will also include "Black Comedy" (March 23-April 15), and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (May 25-June 17).
Wheaton Drama's productions are staged at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton. For show tickets and information, please visit http://www.wheatondrama.org, or call (630) 260-1820.