Enjoy a round with 'Stella and Lou' at Village Theatre Guild

It's late Friday night at Lou's Bar when Stella drops in for her customary nightcap. What transpires provides a moving exploration of love and loss in relation to friends, family and marriage. How much are we willing to risk, and how much is it worth?

The Village Theatre Guild's upcoming production of "Stella and Lou" by Bruce Graham examines these questions with heart, humor and hope.

The production is directed by Cynthia Katz of Naperville and produced by Renata Allelujka of Downers Grove. The cast features Doreen Dawson of Geneva as Stella, Brett Di Joseph of Naperville as Donnie, and William Smith of Bolingbrook as Lou.

Katz had been eager to direct this production for some time.

"I was attracted to 'Stella and Lou' because of the beautifully drawn characters and their relationships, which we can all relate to," she said. "I also love the fact that serious subjects - love, loss and second chances - are treated with tremendous humor."

Members of the cast are also excited about this play.

"I love Stella. I wish I were more like her. She's a tough cookie - tells it like it is - but very caring. She values kindness, especially in Lou. She is always able to find the humor in a situation and enjoys making Lou laugh," Dawson said.

"Stella tries to give Donnie advice, even though it may not be what he wants to hear, or exactly unbiased. Stella is persistent, to say the least, and courageous in the risks she takes."

"What interested me to audition for 'Stella and Lou' was the idea of a second chance being a possibility for all in life. The quote by Yogi Berra, 'It ain't over till it's over,' really rings true with this storyline," Di Joseph said.

Shows begin at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 19 to Feb. 10, with matinees at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 21 to Feb. 4, at Village Theatre Guild, 2S720 Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

Tickets, $18, may be reserved by calling (630) 469-8230 or emailing tickets@villagetheatreguild.org. Advance ticket purchase is recommended as recent Village Theatre Guild productions have sold out.

Katz believes people who attend "Stella and Lou" will receive meaningful entertainment.

"VTG audience members will delight in the humor and the warmth with which this story is told. It will leave them contemplating the value of taking chances," she said.

For information, visit villagetheatreguild.org.