‘Alive and Kicking’ premiere spoofs senior life at Moonlight Theatre
“Alive and Kicking: Laughter Never Gets Old,” a musical comedy revue about the joys and jokes of senior life in America, will have its premiere on July 11-20 at the Moonlight Theatre in St. Charles.
The show is conceived and written by Stephan DeGhelder, an award-winning lyricist/comedy writer (“License to Bash,” “Prime Ribbing,” “Laughing Matters”) and playwright (“A Kiss From Alexander,” “Meeting Mr. Right,” “When Jenny Comes Marching Home,” “Dickens of a Carol”), and a Broadway and regional theater veteran.
“A talented cast of vibrant seniors, and a couple of juniors for that wrinkle-free look, will entertain you with clever replace-the-lyrics song parodies and comedy sketches,” DeGhelder said. “Think Carol Burnett Show meets Forbidden Broadway. Yes, we’re that old.”
DeGhelder began writing sharp, satirical political comedy revues in 1994 for “License to Bash” in Sarasota, Florida, to rave reviews. The show ran in cabarets and theater venues with updated sequels keeping up with news and events for many years. His political satirical revue, “Prime Ribbing,” had a successful run in 2011 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Theatergoers in the Chicago area may remember his gay fantasy musical “A Kiss From Alexander,” which had its world premiere at the Bailiwick in Chicago, in 2006, garnering four nominations from the prestigious Jefferson Citation Awards including Best New Musical that year.
“Alive and Kicking” features an original song, “Souvenirs,” by composer/musical director Brad Simmons (“Hood: The Robin Hood Musical Adventure,” “Lysistrata Jones,” and the upcoming “To Wong Foo The Musical”), who has collaborated with DeGhelder on a various projects including “Alexander.”
The Moonlight Theatre is a “great space for what I call ‘Manhattan-style cabaret theater,’ DeGhelder said. According to the website, the theater in downtown St. Charles has its roots in vaudeville and silent movies. Built in 1900, the Idle Hour Theater was known in its early years solely for its live vaudeville entertainment. Closing in 1926, the building has gone through many owners and has housed different businesses over the years; the new owners have lovingly restored the theatrical space and the venue as the Moonlight Theatre.
DeGhelder, who is also directing the show, has been a member of Actor’s Equity for 51 years, is a member of the Dramatist Guild and has numerous Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theater credits for performing, choreography, and directing. Music is directed by Richard Trost and the executive producer is Joseph Mennella.
The show stars Michael La Fleur, Nancy Greco, Judy Rossignuolo-Rice, Rose McReynolds, Ken Kordick and Nikolai Sorokin.
Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, July 11-20, at Moonlight Theatre, 7 S. Second Ave. in St. Charles. For tickets, go to MoonlightTheatre.com.