'John Lennon & Me' comes to MHS stage
Teenagers dealing with serious illness is generally not a subject that elicits humor, but they do say that laughter is the best medicine. Add in a young woman obsessed with John Lennon and the music of the Beatles, and you have a prescription for the fast-paced, music-filled dramatic comedy presented by Mundelein Theatre: "John Lennon & Me," by Cherie Bennett.
The winner of many national awards, this moving play about life, death, power and first boyfriends was adapted by the author from her popular book, "Good-bye, Best Friend." Hollywood wannabe Star, the ultimate Beatles fan, spends most of her time in the hospital, where she confronts fate with imagination by surrounding herself with MTV-inspired bodyguards, referred to as the Flunkies. Star then gets a new roommate. Neither girl knows much about the other's world, but eventually they come to understand each other, and ultimately, themselves.
"I love the roller coaster of emotions that this play employs," said Jonathan Meier, the show's director. "It is a powerful piece about living life to the fullest."
Senior Halli Carpender plays the central character.
"Star is such a fun role because it allows me to express a wide range of emotions," Carpender said. "I also get to interact directly with the audience, which makes the show very intimate."
Other seniors in the cast are Kimberly Barr, Anooha Dasari, Rachel Larson, Sydney Litka and Natalie Williams. Rounding out the cast are Sierra Bouchard, Matthew Callas, Luke Fuller, Alexis Lee, Isabella Marotti, Brooke Mellen, Miriam Mitry, Chris Nacion, Emily Navarette, Brenda Olayo, Elias Photopoulos, Allan Rodriguez, Megan Saunders, Katie Staroszczyk and Eli Walter.
Steven Weiss is the musical director, as well as a cast member. Josie Hutson is the stage manager and Ellie Mellen and Colin Nacion are the assistant directors. The understudy cast consists of Lance Evans, Josh Fergen, Joslyn Gange, Ahmad Koya, Sarah Larson, Mary McMurray, Becca Panos, Madison Parola, Addison Salski and Marta Sikora. The understudy stage managers are Katie Kreis and Colby Willis.
Upcoming performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1 and 2, and 3:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 on the Mundelein High School Auditorium stage. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. The matinee performance on Monday is only $1 for MHS students. Additionally, there will be a performance at 2 p.m. on Feb. 2 which will feature the understudy cast. Tickets can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes before each performance. Seating is general admission, and the theater will open 20 minutes before each performance. Additional information can be found at mundeleintheatre.org.
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