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ITC Presents Musical ‘Triumph Of Love’


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The Illinois Theater Center. (Photo: ilthctr.org)

Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— The charming and romantic musical TRIUMPH OF LOVE rings in the holiday season at the Illinois Theatre Center in Park Forest. This “perfect blend of highbrow and lowbrow” musical comedy is filled with mistaken identities, slapstick comedy, and delightful songs and dances.   The production opens Friday, November 30th for a three week run.

TRIUMPH OF LOVE is based on the 18th Century comedy by French playwright Marivaux.  Though rarely performed in America, the play has been popular with French audiences for over 200 years. The musical version, translated and adapted by James Magruder, with music by Jeffrey Stock and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, premiered on Broadway in 1997. 

This charming tale tells of a princess who disguises herself as a man in order to infiltrate the guarded compound where a young man she has admired from afar dwells.  She soon learns that the man is in fact the deposed prince whose parents were killed by hers many years ago.  He has grown up with his aunt and uncle, devoting his life to studying philosophy and planning for the day he will slay the princess and reclaim his throne. The princess must hide her true identity from the deposed prince and his aunt and uncle until she can win his love and give him back his throne. 

The cast features ITC favorites Iris Lieberman and Bill Scharpen as the prince’s stern aunt and uncle.  Ms. Lieberman was last seen at ITC in THE ENTERTAINER. Previous roles include leads in PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE and 110 IN THE SHADE.  Mr. Scharpen’s ITC credits include STARS IN YOUR EYES and BLOOD BROTHERS.  Both are veteran musical theatre performers, having appeared in numerous productions at theatres throughout the Chicago area.  In 2005 they played husband and wife in the musical BABY at Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana, where they were previously paired up as the leads in BELLS ARE RINGING.

 Laura Grene makes her ITC Mainstage debut as the princess.  A recent graduate of Roosevelt University, she played lead roles in ITC’s Summerfest productions of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS… and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.  Riley Thomas makes his ITC debut as the prince.  His Chicago area stage credits include roles with Red Orchid Theatre, Bailiwick Repertory, and Red Orchid Theatre.  Frank Roberts, David Zizic, and Laura Sturm portray the servants who aid the princess in her quest, and provide witty commentary along the way.  The production is directed by Etel Billig. 

TRIUMPH OF LOVE runs from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 16.  Performances are Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 PM, and Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $21 on Fridays and Saturdays, $19 at all other times. There is a $1 discount for students & seniors.  The Illinois Theatre Center is located in Downtown Park Forest at 371 Artists Walk (off Indianwood Blvd, next to Village Hall).  For tickets, call (708) 481-3510.

Source: ITC Press Release


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