Improv Playhouse's contemporary Last Supper take opens April 13

Posted March 28, 2017 11:00 pm

Improv Playhouse submission

Shahab Astabraghpour as The Teacher in the Improv Playhouse Theater's production of "The Gathering." Courtesy of Improv Playhouse Theater

The Improv Playhouse will produce "The Gathering," a contemporary adaptation of the last hour of the Last Supper, created by the late-Improv/Shakespeare icons Josephine Raciti and Rolf Forsberg. The production will be directed by David Brian Stuart.

This will be the ninth year Improv Playhouse has produced this respectful, contemporary rendition of one of the pinnacle events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. "The Gathering" takes place during a Seder meal, which biblical scholars agree was the last earthly Passover led by Jesus.

The professional cast comprises of a number of the actors from the 2016 production (in different roles), as well as several who are new to the Improv Playhouse stable. A few of the actors, including Stuart, are members of the AFTRA/SAG acting unions.

The cast includes: Shahab Astabraghpour of Chicago and Tyler Ankey of Lindenhurst (The Teacher); D. Reed Porter of Round Lake Beach (Philip); J.T. Brunson of Kenosha, Wisconsin (Simon the Zealot); Joseph Fieger of Highland Park (Matthew); Jared Michael Sheldon of Chicago (James Minor); George Elliot of Hainesville (Jude); Rhys Read of Waukegan (James Major); Michael Scott Blackman of Deerfield (Andrew); Redelle Lawrence of McHenry (Thomas); Dale Leigh of Elgin (Peter); Miles Andrew Weimer of Elgin (John); Michael Wilson of Highland Park (Bartholomew); and Aaron Sjoholm of Lindenhurst (Judas). The assistant director is George Elliot.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday, April 13; 8 p.m. Good Friday, April 14, and Holy Saturday, April 15, at The Improv Playhouse Theater, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Libertyville.

Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for students and military. Tickets at the door are $22.50 for adults, $17.50 for seniors, and $5 for students and military. There is no performance Easter Sunday. Group rates are available.

For information, call (847) 968-4529 or visit www.improvplayhouse.com for online ticket sales.

Romeo Sobrepena plays Judas in a previous production of "The Gathering," a contemporary adaptation of the last hour of the Last Supper. Courtesy of Improv Playhouse Theater

The cast of "The Gathering" at Christ Church in Highland Park. Courtesy of Improv Playhouse Theater

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