COD College Theatre puts on political comedy 'Born Yesterday' Oct. 6-23
College of DuPage College Theater presents Garson Kanin's romantic political comedy, "Born Yesterday," Oct. 6-23.
Performances are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays in the McAninch Arts Center Studio Theater on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. Theater Professor Daniel Millhouse directs.
Harry Brock is a self-made, junkman businessman who comes to Washington to make crooked deals with government bigwigs. When his ex-chorus girlfriend, Billie's, social graces need work, he hires journalist Paul Verrall to help. Awakening to the goings on, Billie learns to question everything, using her new skills to turn the tables on Harry in this touching and hilarious play.
"I worked on this play a couple years ago, it was actually my first show I worked on in Chicago, and I really fell in love with its wit and political commentary," Millhouse said. "I want people to leave feeling like they do have the power to inform their decisions with actual research from all sides of the argument. There is strength in our differences, and effective/informed communication cannot only challenge us but allow us all to grow."
For Rowan Brando, who portrays Paul Verrall, the play's themes remain relevant in the current political climate.
"By bringing the show to the year 2022, we can emphasize its themes of female independence and using literature to inspire personal revolution and realization of the deceit that holds higher society together," he said. "Through each character's failures, we realize that the only way to win the game is to change the rules."
Tickets are $14 for students and seniors, and $16 for adults. Please note the play contains adult themes and language.
Talk back sessions will take place at 6:45 p.m. before the Oct. 6 performance with the director and designers and after the Oct. 14 performance with the actors, crew and Millhouse.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit atthemac.org, or call the MAC box office at (630) 942-4000. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday or three hours prior to performances.
A study guide is available at www.atthemac.org.
Cast members include Diana Pantoja (Westchester), Alexander Wisniewski (Wheaton), John Belushi Second City Scholarship recipient Rowan Brando (Naperville), Antonija Magazin (Downers Grove), Nick Washington (Bolingbrook), Lilly Zuniga (Lombard), Jack Harrington (Naperville), Alyson Meyers (Warrenville), Joahna Williams (Carol Stream) and Luke Risch (St. Charles).
The design team includes John Belushi Stage Management Scholarship recipient Vinny Scanio (stage manager, Glendale Heights), Sabrina Zeidler (scenic designer, North Aurora), Kim Morris (costume/prop design, Wheaton), David Makuch (lighting design, Lake Zurich) and Fisher Parson (sound design, Chicago).
Support for College Theater is made possible by a generous gift from the College of DuPage Foundation's Dr. Donald and Helen (Gum) Westlake Fund for Student Productions.
For more information on the College Theatre, visit atthemac.org/college-theater/.