Kirk Players to stage 'The Dining Room'

Submitted by The Kirk Players

The Kirk Players launches its 57th season with "The Dining Room" by A.R. Gurney. The play consists of 18 vignettes set in different eras of the 20th century, all taking place around a dining room table.

The mosaic of scenes touches on such subjects as family values, women's education, love, vanishing customs and betrayal, among others. Some scenes are funny, others serious, rueful or reflective.

Director Peter Grassl notes that the play includes a variety of characters, adding that "audience members will probably recognize certain personalities that remind them of their own family experience."

The 58 different roles in the play present a challenge to the 15 cast members, each of whom plays several different roles.

Cast member Randy Margison welcomes the challenge, savoring the experience of playing roles ranging from a 5-year-old at a birthday party to an 80-year-old discussing his burial plans.

Vidal Gonzalez says that part of the challenge is figuring out the right approach to make each of the five characters he plays distinct, truthful and memorable.

Rounding out the cast are Caryl Davidson, Lance Evans, Fran Hansen, Gretchen Grassl, Bev Karns, Bobbi LaBelle, Brian Motyka, Jessica Motyka, Jessica Rattanasena, Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, Mandy Stebbins, Janice Zimmerman and Hannah Zoibi.

Collaborating with Grassl on the management team are assistant director Jessica Rattanasena, stage manager Amy Sharer, assistant stage manager Marilee C.C. Rusiniak, and artistic director Gretchen Grassl.

Terry O'Brien is the technical director, heading the technical crew of lighting designer Martin Hill, sound director Monica Stark, property lead Bev Karns, costume designer Susie Hill, hair stylist Bobbi LaBelle, and house manager Mindi Billock.

Additional technical staff are Nat Brautigam, Chuck Fitz-Hugh, Fran Hansen and Gretchen Grassl.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18. All performances will be at Mundelein High School, 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein.

To order tickets, visit www.kirkplayers.org or call (847) 521-6192. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

In keeping with the Kirk Players' mission of giving back to the community, all proceeds from the Sept. 17 performance will be donated to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which services the 13 counties of Northern Illinois, including Lake County.

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