In the mood for a good old-fashioned comedy? Chicago Street Theatre (CST) in downtown Valparaiso has the answer. 
The theatre, now in its 56th season, will present its season opener, The Man Who Came to Dinner, beginning October 8 and running through October 23. Set in Ohio in the late 1930s, the story centers around a wildly illustrious gentleman who is invited to dinner at the home of a wealthy factory owner. But before he can make it inside the house, he slips on the ice outside the front door and injures his hip. What was supposed to be one evening turns into a few weeks with the main character confined to a wheelchair and quickly overstaying his welcome?
Co-directed by Chicago Street Theatre veterans Eric Brant and Nancy Haller, the production features a large cast full of eccentric characters. By the final act, what once seemed outrageous becomes commonplace.
“While it has been a challenge managing such a large cast, I feel fortunate that I get the opportunity to be constantly entertained by such talent each and every night,” said Haller. The actors, who have been rehearsing for several weeks, hail from all over Northwest Indiana and Chicago.
The script, a true audience-pleaser, resonated with Haller from the beginning.
“When I first sat down to read The Man Who Came to Dinner, I was completely drawn in by the pacing of the show. I could visualize the whole opening sequence as a dance – constant entrances and exits by various players. I also just fell in love with the ‘30s speak – we all have a good laugh over any opening bit that begins with, ‘Say!...’”
The cast is led by CST alum David Pera who plays radio wit Sheridan Whiteside. He is joined by: Marcia Gienapp as Mrs. Stanley; Kelley Weisenbacher as Miss Preen; Marty Weisenbacher as Richard; Wendy Shultz as June; John Lattuada as John; Daena Sisk as Sarah; Donna Rettew as Mrs. Dexter; Piper Bakrevski as Mrs. McCutcheon; Daniel Matern as Mr. Stanley; Kerianne Valuckis as Maggie, Tony Balsamo as Dr. Bradley; Mike Lerner as Bert Jefferson; Martha Sass as Harriet; Yuri Vanzine as Metz/ensemble; Barb Malangoni as Lorraine; Alex Malangoni as Sandy; Andrew Urschel as Beverly; Jim Henry as Banjo; and Tom Knoerzer as Westcott.
The talented ensemble cast includes Silas Rettew, Jean Stimack, Patricia Schulz, Kim Sgouroudis, Mackenna Geary, and Catherine Kouretsos.
Tickets are available now at the CST Box Office, located at 154 W. Chicago St. in Valparaiso. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before each production. The box office phone number is (219) 464-1636. Tickets also are available for purchase online by visiting www.chicagostreet.org
The 56th season at CST is generously sponsored by Urschel, UFS Corporation, Coastal Valley Water Company, Porter County Community Foundation, Indiana Dunes Tourism, South Shore Arts, and the Indiana Arts Commission.
The Story: Sheridan Whiteside, an eccentric and acid-tongued radio lecturer, is disabled on the doorstep of a prominent Ohio family and must remain confined to the unwilling family's home for a few days. Discovering what he believes to be problems within the household, Sheridan ("Sherry") discovers his leg is fine. Bribing the doctor to declare him unfit to leave for a few weeks, Sherry hatches a plot to fix all of the household's problems. But has he made a mistake?
Join us for an opening night gala on Friday, October 8, 2010 hosted at Pestos. Following the performance, you are invited to join the cast and crew at 3123 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN. 219-462-0993.
The Man Who Came to Dinner Performance Schedule
October 8 – October 23, 2010
- Fri, Oct 8 @ 8 pm
- Sat, Oct 9 @ 8 pm
- Sun, Oct 10 @ 2:30 pm
- Fri, Oct 15 @ 8 pm
- Sat, Oct 16 @ 8 pm
- Sun, Oct 17 @ 2:30 pm
- Thur, Oct 21 @ 8 pm
- Fri, Oct 22 @ 8 pm
- Sat, Oct 23 @ 2:30 pm
The Cast:
- Marcia Gienapp- Mrs. Stanley
- Kelley Weisenbacher- Miss Preen
- Marty Weisenbacher- Richard
- Wendy Shultz- June
- John Lattuada- John
- Daena Sisk- Sarah
- Donna Rettew-Mrs. Dexter
- Piper Bakrevski-Mrs. McCutcheon
- Daniel Matern-Mr. Stanley
- Kerianne Valuckis- Maggie
- Tony Balsamo-Dr. Bradley
- David Pera- Sheridan Whiteside
- Mike Lerner-Bert Jefferson
- Martha Sass-Harriet
- Yuri Vanzine- Metz/ensemble
- Barb Malangoni- Lorraine
- Alex Malangoni-Sandy
- Andrew Urschel-Beverly
- Jim Henry- Banjo
- Silas Rettew-ensemble
- Tom Knoerzer- Westcott
- Jean Stimack-ensemble
- Patricia Schulz- ensemble
- Kim Sgouroudis- ensemble
- Mackenna Geary-ensemble
- Catherine Kouretsos-ensemble
Prices
- Adults Tickets $18
- Seniors (62+) $15
- Students (21 and under) $15
- Veterans $15
Reservations can be made by calling the Chicago Street Theatre box office at 219-464-1636 Monday - Friday, between 10 AM-2 PM or you may leave a message anytime and someone will return your call. You many also contact us via email at boxoffice@chicagostret.org or you may visit the website at www.chicagostreet.org.
CTG’s 56th Season is made possible through the generous support of:
- Coastal Valley Water Company
- Indiana Arts Commission
- Indiana Dunes Tourism
- North Coast Distribution
- Porter County Community Foundation
- Porter County Convention, Recreation & Visitor Commission
- UFS Corporation
- Urschel Laboratories
CTG is supported, in part, by South Shore Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Photo L-R: David Pera, Daena Sisk, Jim Henry