St. Stephen Gaslight Players present 'State Fair'
Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair is set in America's heartland and follows the Frake family's journey from their farm to the 1946 Iowa State Fair. Ma and Pop Frake are trying to win prizes in mincemeat cooking and hog raising, while their children Margy and Wayne are in for some romantic adventures. The show includes memorable songs like "It's a Grand Night for Singing" and "It Might as Well Be Spring."
The Gaslight Players of St. Stephen Church will perform this fun and lively musical for 2 weekends in April. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 13, 14, 20 and 21 and at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 15.
Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and $8 for children. Tickets can be ordered by contacting Kathy Drelicharz at 773-391-3185 or by email at kdreli@aol.com. You can also contact Phyllis Rotondo at the parish center at 847-824-2026 or at phyllissts@gmail.com. If available, tickets will also be sold at the door. The performances take place in Hanley Hall at St. Stephen Church, 1280 Prospect Avenue in Des Plaines (corner of Prospect and Spruce).
The production stars John Feddeler as Abel Frake, Phyllis Rotondo as Melissa Frake, Elise Adams as Margy Frake and Matt Krieg as Wayne Frake, Jim Szczesniak as Dave Miller, Allison Fradkin as Eleanor, Gabby Potempa and Kim Vana as Emily Arden, Sean Kelly as Harry, Joan Mattingly as the Fair Announcer, Mariann Bilodeau as the Hoopla Barker, Zeke Teran as Stralenko, Rob Potempa as Pat Gilbert, Charlie Vana as Charlie, Jessica Cieply as Vivian, Ivan Lazcano as the Chief of Police, Grace Vana as Violet, Raphael Ranola as Judge Heppenstahl, Denise Wiorek as Mrs. Metcalf, Zeke Martin as Hank Munson, and Adam Obenberger as Clay.
The Fairtones are Kim Vana, Jessica Cieply, Allison Fradkin, Kylie Wojnar, Abby Young, and Maggie Martin. Rounding out the cast as Barkers, Vendors, Judges and Fairgoers are Denise Adams, Pat Bartnick, Marie Burke, Paula Cahill, Brooke Day, Emma Faulstick, Heidi Faulstick, Makayla Chance, Laura Obenberger, Christian Martin and Rev. David Arcila.
Music director Tim Vana along with co-director Dan Surma lead band members Donna Digilio, Pete Hurtenbach, Bill Kort, Sharon Stine, Diane Hansen, and Norb Kosinski. The play is directed by Libby McGuire Giovanni, Joy Joseph and Joanna Fosco, assisted by Stephanie Zalewski. Technical director is Wayne Dean. Producers are Charlie and Jill Vana and Phyllis Rotondo.
The choreographers are Amelia Faulstick and Libby McGuire Giovanni. The set designers are Wayne Dean and Joanna Fosco. Props are organized by Debbie Szczesniak. Costumes are coordinated by Debbie Feddeler. The stage managers are Debbie Szczesniak and Thomas Didier. The running crew is Dominic Fosco. Lighting is handled by Dana Palka and sound by Samantha Thielman. The rehearsal sound technician is Glenn Wiorek.
Members of the set contruction crew are Wayne Dean, Rusty Burke, Bill Dean, Charlie Vana, John Feddeler, Jim Szczesniak, Bill Giovanni, Jeff & Nick Underwood, Thomas Didier and Luis Zavala. The kitchen crew is headed by Danielle Broehl . Publicity is coordinated by Marie Burke. The Gaslight Players were founded in 1981 by Joy Joseph.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend this grand night of singing!