When laughing at others is a good thing
Laughter is universal, but it stays local on Saturday when the Literacy Connection welcomes the talented cast of GreenRoom Productions of Elgin at its first-ever "Laughter for Literacy" comedy night fundraiser.
GreenRoom Productions will take the stage with its popular improvisational comedy show at 7 p.m. for family audiences, and again at 9 p.m. for adult audiences.
The troupe's comedy style is clean, laugh-out-loud fun for both shows.
"Saturday's shows are fully improvised and all of our shows are family-oriented," said Dave Hunter, executive artistic director.
"We don't 'go dirty' at the late show or anything like that. We've had 5-year-olds at our late shows, and kids still enjoy it."
GreenRoom Productions began in 1999 when a group of Judson College students got together to make up for the cancellation of the school's theater program.
The troupe's specialty is improvisation, but it produces a full season of shows -- including musicals like "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," slated for this summer -- along with plays and improv and original sketches.
There are seven actors, a lighting person and a piano player. The cast members tend to be long-lasting; the last member added to the cast is a three-year veteran.
"Most of the troupe has been with the show from three to eight years," Hunter said. All but one have full-time jobs in addition to GreenRoom's full calendar.
The Literacy Connection holds its annual Trivia Bee as a major fundraiser, but decided to add this program.
"This event was added when a board member recommended GreenRoom Productions after attending one of the troupe's shows," said Karen Oswald, executive director of Literacy Connection.
"We thought it would be a fun event."
Doors open 15 minutes before each performance at the Heritage Ballroom at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way in Elgin.
General admission in advance is $15; $10 for children, age 12 and younger. Admission is $20 at the door. All tickets will be held at the will-call area at the Heritage Ballroom on the night of the shows.
To order tickets or to request details, call the Literacy Connection at (847) 742-6565, e-mail info@elginliteracy.org, visit www.elginliteracy.org, or come to The Literacy Connection's office in the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
The Literacy Connection, an affiliate of ProLiteracy America Inc., serves adults and young children in 16 communities in the Elgin area: Algonquin, Bartlett, Carpentersville, Cary, Elgin, South Elgin, East Dundee, West Dundee, Gilberts, Hanover Park, Hampshire, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Streamwood and Schaumburg. Its programs include English as a Second Language, Basic Reading, Workplace Literacy and Summer Youth Tutoring.
If you go
What: "Laughter for Literacy" with GreenRoom Productions
When: 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Heritage Ballroom at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way in Elgin.
Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Info: For tickets, call the Literacy Connection at (847) 742-6565, e-mail to info@elginliteracy.org, visit www.elginliteracy.org, or visit Literacy Connection's office in Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.