Village Theatre Guild opens 62nd season with 'The Haunting of Hill House’
Village Theatre Guild welcomes you home for their 62nd season with the opening of their first show “The Haunting of Hill House.”
The production, adapted by F. Andrew Leslie from the novel by Shirley Jackson, opens for 13 performances on the Sue Keenan Stage between Oct. 17 and Nov. 8.
The normal run of 12 performances was in such demand that it entirely sold out two weeks before opening night, so an additional performance was added at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. That performance also quickly sold out.
The intimate VTG performance space continues its streak of several sold-out runs. All four productions last season were fully sold out and a couple more during its diamond 60th season also played to full houses throughout their runs.
“The Haunting of Hill House” is directed by David M. Rodriguez (Lombard) and produced by Renata Allelujka (Crest Hill) and Joe Morrissey (Roselle).
“I'm a big horror fan and any chance that I get to direct a horror play that’s a good one, I leap at it. I love the story,” Rodriguez explained about his great interest in undertaking this project.
A group of supernatural investigators journeys to the ominous Hill House. What begins as simple curiosity quickly becomes something far more sinister as the house’s past, present, and future collide in a fight for survival.
Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. There are also 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.
The cast includes Allelujka, Arlene Arnone Bibbs (St. Charles), Derek L. Cook (Wheaton), Susan O'Byrne (Hinsdale), Jimmy O'Hara (Elmhurst), Laura Ciresi Starr (Brookfield), Guy Sullivan (Roselle), and Stevie Vitzhum (South Elgin).
Members of the cast discussed what they found interesting about the rehearsal process.
“Horror asks for reactions and movements you don’t normally use in everyday life, and it’s been exciting to figure out how to bring those to the stage,” Vitzhum said. “I hope audiences get completely immersed, feeling what the characters feel in real time, while also being drawn into the relationships and emotions that make the story so human.”
There will be a Q&A session with the director and cast members after the 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday Oct. 25 as part of Arts DuPage’s Art Month. “The Haunting of Hill House” was the first production that VTG performed in its current location.
Members of the production crew include Dan Ruzicka (stage manager), Cynthia Katz and Max Osterman (assistant directors), Maureen Komperda (executive producer and set decoration), Steve Petersen (set design/construction), Jennifer Torchia (sound design), Jim Van De Velde (lighting design), Paul Lauricella (audio visual design/tech crew), Jonathan Kriz (audio visual design), Judith Laughlin (properties), Karen Bronson (costumes), Carl Zeitler (publicity/social media), David Dowell (photography), Matt Hellyer (graphic design), Sue Knisely (box office), and Renata Allelujka and Joe Morrissey (house/hospitality).
Village Theatre Guild is located at 2S720 Park Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Free parking is available.
Tickets are $25 and available at villagetheatreguild.com/2025-1 or by calling the box office at (630) 469-8230. Even though all performances are sold out, people may want to check in with the box office to see if any tickets became available.
Season sponsorship provided by Leslie Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric.
Support provided by Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative. Visit artsdupage.org.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Visit arts.illinois.gov.
O’Byrne had the final word on the rehearsal process.
“It’s been incredible fun to watch Hill House increasingly become the malevolent presence it will be in performance. This show mixes humor, psychological drama, and good old-fashioned haunted house spookiness. I’m sure that audiences will enjoy the ride as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.”