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Public Relations and Marketing | Published Mar 29, 2019
Two parents “deeply concerned” that their high-school age son has been studying behind their backs. A woman escaping an abusive relationship and searching for a new life. Two lifelong friends heading off to college and experiencing a strain in their relationship. A newlywed couple going through their first tiff as they head into the honeymoon suite.
The unpredictable world of friendships, marriage and family is captured in four one-act plays (two comedy, two drama) in “Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase.” The ninth annual production, presented by College of Lake County theatre students, takes place April 12-14 and 19-20 at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the college's Grayslake Campus.
The plays are “Drugs Are Bad” by Jonathan Rand, ” “East of the Sun” by Darcy Parker Bruce, “That First Fall” by Daria Polatin and “Wedding Duet” by Lauren Wilson. Students in “Play On!” showcase their abilities as actors, directors, stage managers, designers and technicians. The student directors are Robert Williams, Jonathon Rocha, Samuel Kim and Dylan Thomas.
“‘Play On!’ gives our students 
the opportunity to develop the skills they are learning in their classes, collaborate within a production team and realize their overall artistic vision,” said Craig Rich, theatre department chair. “This invaluable training prepares them to transfer to four-year theatre programs and lays the foundation for them to succeed as future theatre professionals.”
“Drugs Are Bad” is a parody of family relations. Brad comes home from school to find his parents waiting for him, deeply concerned. They have discovered a secret that Brad has been hiding from them—an algebra book, a sign that he has been secretly studying.
Williams, the play’s director and a Waukegan resident, is a fourth-year student pursuing his yoga teacher certification. He was last seen as Ricardo in “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook,” Actor in “Post-Its,” Officer Murphy in “Street Scene” and Bob in “The Banderscott,” all at CLC.
In “East of the Sun,” a powerful and poetic drama, a young woman recalls how she escaped an abusive relationship and searches for a new life. The play is an adaptation of the Norwegian fairy tale “East of the Sun, West of the Moon.”
Rocha, the student director, is a CLC theatre major. Recently, the Waukegan resident served as the assistant director for “Cabaret” and performed as Kreon in “Oedipus Rex,” Snug in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Harry Easter in “Street Scene,” all at CLC. Rocha is a recipient of this year’s Harnish Theatre Scholarship.
In “That First Fall,” Zoe and Skyler have been friends for as long as they can remember. After they have gone off to college and everything has changed, they face a critical question: Will their friendship be able to survive?
Kim, the student director and a Hawthorn Woods resident, is a second-year theatre major. He recently served as the assistant director for “A Doll’s House” and performed as a member of the Chorus in “Oedipus Rex,” Peter Quince in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” and a Kit Kat Boy in “Cabaret,” all at CLC.
In “Wedding Duet,” a bride and groom are ready to cross the threshold into their honeymoon suite and start a new life as husband and wife. But, their first spat as a married couple brings everything to a hilarious and screeching halt.
Thomas, the student director who lives in Winthrop Harbor, is a third-year theatre performance major. Recent performances include Leader of the Chorus in “Oedipus Rex,” Torvald Helmer in “A Doll’s House,” the Emcee in “Cabaret” and Mustardseed/Snout in “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” all at CLC. Dylan also served as the assistant director for CLC’s “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook.”
In addition to the directors, the student production team includes: Set Designers Minnie Martinez (Zion) and James Molidor (Fox Lake); Production Stage Manager Nikki Wenger (Mundelein); and Production Sound Designer. Other team members include: Sean Slaber (Lakemoor); Costume Designers Mya Figueroa (Round Lake), Makala Griswold (Round Lake), Jesse Ocampo (Park City); and Nick Salinger (Lake Villa).
“Drugs Are Bad” cast: Brad: Nate Toledo (Round Lake Beach); Mom: Chantal Moody (Round Lake); Dad: Joshua Pride (Gurnee).
“East of the Sun” cast: Rosemarie: Isabella Cernuska (Round Lake); Aaron Telling Tales: Reese Starzec (Round Lake); and Daniel: Elijah Janssen-Weitz (Lindenhurst).
“That First Fall” cast: Skyler: Abigail Giles (Fox Lake); Zoe: Briana Livesay (Wauconda).
“Wedding Duet” cast (pictured): Bride: Maddison Crecchio (Round Lake Beach); Groom: Joshua Pride (Gurnee).
Production dates are Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m., Studio Theatre. Warning: Performances contain some adult language and subject matter.
Tickets: $12 general public and $10 CLC/teen/seniors.Buy one ticket, get one free on April 12 and 19. Performances will take place in Studio Theatre, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. For tickets, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 12-5 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to each performance.
About College of Lake County:
College of Lake County is an innovative community college in Lake County, Ill. that transforms lives with its variety of accessible, quality education options. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, College of Lake County provides affordable options in a state-of-the-art setting close to home. A large student network, with small class sizes, provides advantages to our students on a career-related program or a path toward a transfer degree. We’re proud to serve the diverse needs of our community and student body. Connect to your future today at College of Lake County.