Prairie Center for the Arts Mystery at the Theatre Presents: Binge, Oct. 14 & 15
How do you take a script written for television and present it on stage, without cameras, the numerous locations needed or the ability to instantly cut from one scene to the next? Those were some of the challenges that faced the creative team behind Mystery at the Theatre's "Binge," playing at the Schaumburg Prairie Center Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15.
In "Binge," a present-day fictitious small town is roused from its secluded existence when the suspicious death of cable TV installation man sets a global operation in motion. The involvement of an absent-minded delivery man, a spaced-out pizza guy, a wise-cracking teenage puppet, a doctor with a peculiar secret, and other offbeat characters add intrigue and plenty of laughs to the story.
In keeping with the show's title, the 10 episodes of "Binge" play one after another (with a break for intermission) until its exciting conclusion. And, like a TV show, every episode begins with scenes from the previous episode reenacted live, followed by opening credits projected on the screen.
"From there it gets a bit tricky," concedes the Prairie Center's Rob Pileckis, who wrote and is directing the show. " With a live show, I don't have the convenience of TV editing to cut from scene to scene." To overcome this, the show's scenes are played on different parts (or 'zones') of the stage. The show runs without pause as the stage lights go down on one scene only to come up on a new scene playing in a different zone. Movable set pieces and projected backdrops establish the setting of each scene. Episodes end with projected closing credits, along with show tunes or pop songs performed by cast members.
"Binge" marks Mystery at the Theatre's 10th installment -- a milestone for the Prairie Center Arts Foundation, who has presented the program since its first whodunnit in 1997. "I can't believe we've been putting the shows on for almost 20 years," says Pileckis, who has penned all ten shows. "We always had two goals in mind with the mystery. First to entertain audiences, and to raise funds for programs at the Prairie Center." The foundation has played vital role in sponsoring mainstage shows, underwriting a number of the village's youth arts programs, and providing tickets to Prairie Center shows for underserved members of the community.
The cast of "Binge" features professional and area actors, a number of whom comprise of Mystery at the Theatre's core cast over the past two decades. "Binge" stars Jilliane Baumert, Mike Concialdi, Jack Corkery, Melissa Crabtree, Jon Cunningham, Rob Kaye, Jared Mason, Tim Philbin, John Pontarelli, Jake Robertson, Michael Saubert, Adri Tronco, and Carl Vachlin.
Tickets for Mystery at the Theatre's production of "BINGE" are $20 and can be ordered online at www.prairiecenter.org or by calling 847-895-3600.
Proceeds from the show benefit the Prairie Center Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to the growth and excellence of cultural arts in Schaumburg. The Foundation fulfills its mission by securing grants, corporate sponsorship and individual donations, and through special events.
The Prairie Center Arts Foundation supports programs like Theatre Buddies & ArtsPartners that provide access to the performing arts to at-risk youth and under-served people in the community; Prairie Center Youth Programs, including the award-winning Schaumburg Youth Orchestra, Schaumburg Dance Ensemble, Schaumburg Youth Choir, Schaumburg Summer Theater and Screen Test Student FestThe Foundation supports the Season of Entertainment at the Prairie Center for the Arts. Ticket sales only cover about half of the cost of bringing fine entertainment to the Center each season.