Spring is time for 'The Last Romance' at Village Theatre
With its upcoming production of "The Last Romance" by Joe DiPietro, the Village Theatre Guild explores springtime themes of rebirth and transformation.
The story is about Ralph Bellini, a charming older widower, who put aside his dream of becoming an opera singer and went to work for the railroad to support his family. He now lives with his sister, Rose, who has dedicated her life to caring for him. One day while taking a walk, Ralph spots the attractive Carol Reynolds in a dog park and a life-changing encounter ensues. All three characters harbor secrets as well as a hope for one last romance.
The production is directed by Cynthia Katz of Naperville, who said she is excited about this show coming to the VTG stage in mid-March.
"I was drawn to this play the first time I read the script. It's funny, charming and poignant," she said. "The characters are fully drawn and very engaging. A comedy on the surface, this play has tremendous heart and depth. I discovered more with each reading of the script. The play entertains, but also leaves the audience with questions to ponder. Can love and romance blossom in the later years of life? What kind of complications are involved? And what are the many forms love can take?"
The play features Rob Frankel of Bolingbrook as Ralph, Angelee Johns of Willowbrook as Rose, and Lynn Walsh of Highland Park as Carol. Frankel shared his thoughts about portraying Ralph's journey.
"He takes such an incredibly positive view on life," Frankel said. "He has suffered his share of setbacks, but he has shrugged it off as 'for the best.' He also mirrors so many problems and funny circumstances I see in my aging parents. His relationship with his sister is also so real to me - full of humor and poignancy."
Johns spoke of playing Ralph's sister, Rose.
"Rose is a strong woman who has spent her life taking care of others (men, as she says) but has been deeply disappointed. Her fear of being disappointed and hurt again has caused her to put up put up some walls and to be overprotective of Ralph. All of this can make her seem overbearing and set in her ways, but that is how she protects herself. That makes her sound rather serious, but she is actually quite funny, which makes her very fun to play," Johns said.
Guild members said they feel the audience will connect with this production.
"It is a wonderful combination of humor and poignancy. The humor comes not artificially from jokes, but from our ability to laugh at ourselves. Everyone has an aging grandparent or parent, or perhaps themselves, who they will be able to relate to in this play. These are real, poignant characters encountering life in a funny, identifiable way," Frankel said.
Katz agreed.
"I think VTG audiences will greatly enjoy this show. It's highly entertaining, but also thought-provoking. The characters are interesting and very relatable. Audience members will leave the theater having laughed, maybe shed a tear, and with questions about life's journey to think about and discuss. This is the type of play that VTG audiences appreciate," she said.
Johns summed up her take on the meaning of the play.
"This story tells us - or reminds us - that as we age, we still have hopes and dreams for our lives, even as we accept and honor our responsibilities to others and ourselves," she said.
"The Last Romance" opens Friday, March 18, and runs four weekends. The evening performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 18 to April 9. Matinees are at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20; Saturday, April 2; and Sunday, April 3, at the Village Theatre Guild, 2S720 Park Blvd., the northwest corner of Park Boulevard and Butterfield Road in Glen Ellyn. Free parking is available.
Tickets are $18 each and can be reserved by calling the box office at (630) 469-8230 or emailing tickets@villagetheatreguild.org. The VTG website is villagetheatreguild.org.
If you go
What: "The Last Romance"
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 18 to April 9; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20, Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3
Where: Village Theatre Guild, 2S720 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn
Cost: $18
Info: (630) 469-8230, villagetheatreguild.org or tickets@villagetheatreguild.org