Kirk Players to perform 'The Happiest Millionaire'
Mixing humorous stories of his early theater days as an actor with Goodman Theatre, and firing off commands such as, “I should now be seeing the actor disappear and characters emerging! ... More energy!” 85-year-old John W. Lynn is directing the Kirk Players opening show of their 46th season.
“The Happiest Millionaire,” suggested by the book “My Philadelphia Father,” by Cordelia Drexel Biddle and Kyle Chrichton, will open Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Mundelein High School Theatre, 1350 W. Hawley St.
It will follow on Saturday, Oct. 15 with a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
The story centers on the unconventional ways of life of the Drexel Biddle family in pre-World War I Philadelphia.
“They are an elegant family, and enjoy all the niceties of the upper crust, but they have found a way to stay connected to Earth and really get a lot out of life. This is truly a happy play about a happy family,” Lynn said.
The eccentricity of the family is manifested in the patriarch, Anthony J. Drexel Biddle (played by Mundelein resident Jon Matousek) and his great enthusiasm for collecting alligators and prizefighters. He rules his family with a colorful bluster.
Among those Biddle rules is his daughter, Cordelia (played by Mundelein resident Rebecca Van Sickel), who has a better left hook than her brother, Tony (played by Mundelein resident Marshall Kious), and demonstrates it often throughout the show.
Things get a bit out of control for Biddle when Cordelia falls in love with a southern boy, Angier Duke (played by Nick Huebner), and he tries to take over and run the romance. Biddle has no use for his son-in-law because the young man knows nothing about boxing.
In the end, thanks to some very effective jiu-jitso maneuvers on Duke's part and the calming influence of Mrs. Biddle (played by Mundelein resident Lisa Soare), Biddle's heart is won and he is resigned to losing his daughter.
Rounding out the cast are Tim Adornetto, Patrick Blake, Mandy Clark, Lorri Estell, Fran Hansen, Beverly Johnson, John Tomlin and James Torbeck.
The play was made into a musical by Walt Disney in 1967 and starred Fred MacMurray as the blustery father.
“Thanks to a talented design crew, we are converting the stage to 2104 Walnut Street in the Philadelphia of 1917, with all of its Edwardian drippings. The audience will be whisked away to the happenings of the early 20th century as America prepared for war. Some tricks are in store for the audience, too, as they come in contact with the family's lively alligators,” said Lynn, the founder of the 46-year-old theater troupe.
Lynn is supported by a strong crew, led by assistant director, Gretchen Grassl of Arlington Heights; stage manager, Sara Gunther; and technical director, Mike Lieberman of Mundelein. Set design is handled by Brenda Sparks and special effects, notably the alligator, is Gary Gunther, both of Mundelein. Props mistress is Taz Frits, sound design is Janet Walker, costume mistress is Bobbie LaBelle and assistant stage manager is Marilee CC Wald.
For information about the show and to purchase tickets, visit www.kirkplayers.org.