Five productions on tap for 2015-16 CLC Theatre season

The College of Lake County Theatre department's 2015-16 season of five productions begins in October. It includes a comedy for kids, a drama set in the Great Depression, a celebrated play by Shakespeare, the annual student showcase and a classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical.

The shows are "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales," Oct. 1-4; "The Diviners," Nov. 13-15 and 19-21; "The Tempest," Feb. 26-28 and March 3-5; "Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase," April 8-10 and 14-16; and the summer musical, "South Pacific," July 15-17 and 22-24.

All productions are held in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the CLC Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St. Tickets are available in person at the Box Office, by phone at (847) 543-2300 or online at www.clcillinois.edu/tickets.

"The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" was adapted by John Glore, from the book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. Its director is Brian Hill, an adjunct theater faculty member. The production will be in the Mainstage Theatre at 10 a.m. on Oct. 1 and 2; at 3 and 7 p.m. Oct. 3; and 2 p.m. Oct. 4. Tickets are $8 or $6 for school groups of 10 or more (in advance). Ticket prices include a $2 JLC facility fee.

In this show, which is especially suited for students in prekindergarten through fourth grade, fairy tales are spun on their head in a zany adaptation of the award-winning book. Poor Jack has got to save himself from the terrible Giant, but a host of familiar fairy tale characters, and one very annoying Stinky Cheese Man, keep messing up his plans. Characters burst into song, chickens can't wait for their cues and the audience can't wait to applaud.

"The Diviners" by Jim Leonard Jr. and directed by Thomas B. Mitchell, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21; and at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $10 for CLC students and staff, teens, and seniors 65 and older (prices include a $2 JLC facility fee). Performances on Nov. 13 and Nov. 19 qualify for buy one, get one free tickets.

The play tells the story of a widowed farmer raising his son Buddy in Indiana during the Great Depression. Buddy almost drowned as a child and is still terrified of water, even though he's blessed with the ability to divine its location. When a disillusioned preacher, C.C. Showers, comes to the farm seeking employment, a unique bond develops between the troubled but gifted Buddy and a man who represents salvation to the beleaguered townspeople. C.C. devotes himself to helping Buddy and his efforts precipitate a startling chain of events. Auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 22 in the Studio Theatre and are open to the community.

"The Tempest" by William Shakespeare will be directed by Craig Rich and presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and 27 and March 3, 4 and 5; at 2 p.m. Feb. 28; and at 10 a.m. March 4 (high school matinee) in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are for the $12 general public and $10 for CLC students and staff, teens and seniors 65 and older (prices include a $2 JLC facility fee). Performances on Feb. 26 and March 3 qualify for buy one, get one free tickets.

Shakespeare's last great masterpiece of comedy, romance and adventure is set on an island where the marooned Prospero has spent 12 years perfecting his magic and plotting his revenge. When he learns that a ship bearing his old enemies is sailing near the island, with the help of the spirit Ariel, he raises a torrential storm, bringing within his grasp those who robbed him of his dukedom. Auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8 in the Studio Theatre and are open to the community.

In preparation for attending "The Tempest," the CLC Theatre department urges patrons to visit an exhibit titled "First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare," opening in February at the Lake County Discovery Museum. A national touring exhibit, "First Folio" is sponsored by the Folger Shakespeare Library and the America Library Association in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Info is at www.LCFPD.org/shakespeare.

"Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. April 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16; and at 2 p.m. April 10 in the Studio Theatre. Tickets are for the $12 general public and $10 for CLC students and staff, teens and seniors 65 and older (prices include a $2 JLC facility fee). Performances on April 8 and 14 qualify for buy one, get one free tickets.

"Play On!" is a celebration of student creativity, talent and achievement, where CLC students showcase their abilities as actors, directors, stage managers, designers and technicians. Ideas for the showcase will be solicited in the fall semester and students will produce the work in the spring. Auditions at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 9 are for CLC students only.

The 2016 summer musical presented by the Theatre, Music and Dance departments will be Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific," directed by Thomas B. Mitchell. Productions will be over two weekends: at 7:30 p.m. July 15 and 16 and 22 and 23; and 2 p.m. July 17 and 24 in the Mainstage Theatre. Tickets are $17 for the general public and $14 for CLC students and staff, teens and seniors 65 and older. Performances on July 15 and 22 qualify for buy one, get one free tickets.

Set on an island paradise during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of prejudice and war. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949. It includes such classic songs as "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," "Bali Ha'i," "This Nearly Was Mine" and "A Wonderful Guy." Auditions at 6:30 p.m. on May 23 and 24 are open to the community.

For more information on tickets, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. The Box Office is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to each performance at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more in advance. For information, call (847) 543-2431 or email JLCgroupsales@clcillinois.edu. To request sign language interpreting, please contact the Box Office at least two weeks in advance at (847) 543-2300.

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