"The Heiress" opens September 7 at Wheaton Drama

Beginning September 7, visit Wheaton Drama's Playhouse 111 to experience the beauty of the Tony® Award winning drama, "The Heiress".

Adapted by Augustus and Ruth Goetz from Henry James' novel, "Washington Square", "The Heiress" is a "classic and classy piece of writing", says director Marge Uhlarik-Boller. "The story concerns a doctor in New York City circa 1850. Dr. Sloper (Larry Boller of Elgin) has one daughter -- Catherine (Lisa Schmela of Wheaton), a shy, retiring young woman who wants nothing more than to please her father. Into the picture comes Morris Townsend (Sean Ogren of Villa Park) who captures Catherine's heart and raises her father's suspicions. The giddy sister of doctor, LaviniaPenniman, (Annie Slivinski of Forest Park) works to help Morris in his suit for Catherine's hand. The result is a sometimes romantic, sometimes heartbreaking and eventually satisfying piece of drama."

Also bringing their talents to the stage in "The Heiress" are William Austin of Wheaton as Arthur Townsend, Lisa Baggott-Miller of Villa Park as Elizabeth Almond, Ellen Daschler of Lisle as Maria, Megan Skord Campbell of Chicago as Marian Almond, and Joann Smith of Naperville as Mrs. Montgomery.

Director Marge Uhlarik-Boller is assisted by Barb Giblin. Mike Boyna is the production manager. Jackie Haiser is the stage manager.

Additional production staff include: Tracy Adams (hair and makeup design); Daniel and Lisa Baggott-Miller (properties); Ken Beach (production photography); Traci A. Cidlik (graphic design); Keith deBolt (set design and construction); Craig Gustafson (Starboard design); Susan Hajny (costume design); Melissa Heischberg (website); Jo-Ann Ledger (publicity); Steven Merkel (publicity photography); Rebecca Poole (tickets); Jim Quan (sound design); Katy Smith (set decoration and programme); Jim Van de Velde (lighting design).

Performances of "The Heiress" are September 7 through September 30, 2012 at 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. "The Heiress" is licensed by Dramatists Play Service. Tickets are $13 for Thursdays; $16 for Fridays-Sundays.

Wheaton Drama's upcoming shows are “The Sound of Music" (November 9–December 9); "It's A Wonderful Life" (radio show, December 14-16); "Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure" (January 25-February 17, 2013); "Full Circle" (March 15-April 7, 2013 – confirmation of rights pending) and "Into the Woods" (May 17-June 9, 2013).

For show tickets and information, please visit http://www.wheatondrama.org, or call 630-260-1820. Follow on Twitter at WDIpublicity.