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Rodgers & Hart Classic ‘Babes In Arms’ Coming to ITC


Babes in Arms cast members

Cast members for Babes in Arms, coming to the Illinois Theatre Center in July. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Illinois Theatre Center announced their Summerfest musical, BABES IN ARMS, the 1937 hit with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Summerfest features a mix of professional performers, college music and theatre students, and local talent. The show will be presented for eight performances, July 18 thru 27, at the theatre in Park Forest.

BABES IN ARMS could be called “the original High School Musical.” The plot concerns a group of teenagers working as apprentices at a summer theatre. When they are not building and painting scenery, sewing costumes and doing other menial tasks, they secretly rehearse their own original musical revue. When a Broadway producer visits the theatre, they hatch a plan to get him to see their show before he leaves. The score includes some of Rodgers & Hart’s most popular songs: “My Funny Valentine,” Where or When,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Johnny One-Note,” and others.

The production features several ITC veterans in lead roles. Reid O’Connell plays Valentine, the leader of the apprentices. Madalyn Mattsey and Adam Molloy are the comic couple of Terry and Gus. Alison DeLuca is the glamorous ex-child star Jennifer, and Jean Roberts is her overbearing mother. David Besky is an obnoxious Southern playwright, Patrick Murray is the stingy theater owner, and Tyler Sonkin is the young Broadway producer.

They are joined by newcomers Leslie Thomas as Bunny, the overworked assistant, and Megan Murray as Susie, the apprentice with a crush on Valentine. The gang of apprentices includes Anthony Glover, Sarah Martin, John Guymon, Marissa Backlin, Stephanie Ernst, Olivia Mattsey, P.J. Murray, Joshua Banks, Dante Silguero, Andrew Wlos and Joe Wlos. The production is directed by David Boettcher, with choreography by Diana Duda and musical direction by Jonathan Billig.

BABES IN ARMS will be presented for eight performances: Fridays, July 18 & 25, at 8 PM, Saturdays, July 19 & 26 at 8 PM, and Sundays, July 20 & 27, at 2:30 & 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $14 for students & seniors (65+). For tickets, call (708) 481-3510.


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