Algonquin duo's dreams made real with film premiere

As high school students, Algonquin natives Michael Marsico and Kurt Larson watched comedies like "Forrest Gump" and "Dumb and Dumber" at the old Showplace cinema in downtown Crystal Lake, dreaming of someday having their own film up on the screen.

On Friday at 7:30 p.m., that dream will come true, as the Hollywood-based independent filmmakers premier their first major film, "The Alpha Geek," in the former Showplace -- now known as the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake.

The free-admission screening is open to the public and will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers. Donations are appreciated and will benefit the Raue Center.

"It's very nostalgic for us to be on that screen, where so many of our dreams and aspirations were formed," said Marsico.

"It's a love of ours to be able to show films again, and we're especially excited about showing the work of filmmakers from the area," said Richard Kuranda, Raue Center executive director.

Kuranda describes "The Alpha Geek" as an edgy, funny coming-of-age story.

"The quality is on a par with what we see from Sundance and other independent film festivals," he said.

Marsico compares the film to "Swingers," starring Vince Vaughn, and also to the classic film "The Graduate." He says the unrated film is appropriate for older teens and adults.

Larson wrote the screenplay and stars as "alpha geek" Riley Benson, an aspiring writer trying to find his way in the world while struggling with romantic heartbreak. Marsico co-stars as Nick Armstrong, Benson's best friend.

"Nick's an immature guy who's very much of a follower. When Riley is a geek, Nick is a geek. When Riley tries to be a smooth guy, Nick follows suit," he said.

While other collaborations have included elements drawn from their lives, Marsico said this story is completely fictional. Nevertheless, their Algonquin-to- Hollywood saga is a compelling story.

Acquaintances during their freshman and sophomore years, Marsico and Larson became friends as members of an improv group at Jacobs High School in Algonquin.

"We found we worked together really well, almost like ESP, which is very important when you're doing improv," said Marsico.

They talked about moving to Hollywood, but went separate ways after high school graduation in 1995: Larson to Bradley University in Peoria, and Marsico to the University of North Florida.

But toward the end of college they started talking about their old dream, and on Aug. 1, 2000, loaded a U-Haul truck and headed west.

"I remember the day vividly," said Marsico.

They spent the following years working on independent films and other projects.

Marsico has appeared in several print ads; Larson had small roles on two TV series, "ER" and "JAG," and in the 2005 film "Jarhead."

In 2006, they formed a production company to make "The Alpha Geek," and went to work raising the $75,000 needed to produce the film.

"If you want a completely humbling experience, get up in front of 75 friends and family and beg them for money," Marsico said.

"But if you believe in your dream, it's what you're willing to do -- and our friends and family really came through to make this happen.

"That's another reason we wanted to have the premiere locally, so we could show them, this is what your money produced," Marsico said.

The film score was composed by New York-based musician Kurt Gellerstad, a childhood friend of Larson's from Hoffman Estates.

"It was sort of a cross-country thing, with us FedEx-ing scenes back and forth," said Marsico.

Marsico and Larson are submitting "The Alpha Geek" to independent festivals, and hope to sell their film to a distributor for theatrical or DVD release. They have also begun pre-production work on their next project.

"This film is the first of many as far as we're concerned," Marsico said.

For details, call the Raue Center for the Arts at (815) 356-9010, or visit www.rauecenter.org

If you go

What: Premiere of "The Alpha Geek," an independent feature-length film by Algonquin natives Kurt Larson and Michael Marsico

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake

How much? Free, but donations are encouraged

Call: (815) 356-9212