ACTORS TRAINING CENTER’S REPERTORY COMPANY PRESENTS STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S “ASSASSINS” AT THE WILMETTE THEATRE
The Actors Training Center (ATC) at the Wilmette Theatre will present the Stephen Sondheim musical, “ASSASSINS”, for a limited 4 performance run beginning Saturday, November 9, 2013. ATC’s Repertory Company brings together the most talented young musical theatre actors who have proven themselves ready to handle professional level performances typically reserved for adult actors.
“ASSASSINS” uses the premise of a murderous carnival game to produce a revue-style portrayal of men and women who attempted (successfully or not) to assassinate Presidents of the United States. The music varies to reflect the popular music of the eras depicted. Historical figures depicted in the production include John Wilkes Booth, Squeaky Fromme and Lee Harvey Oswald.
Performances take place on Saturdays, November 9th and 16th, and Sundays, November 10th and 17th. All performances are at 7:00pm with all tickets are $18. Claire Bigley is musical director and Jeff Award winner Janet Louer, the Musical Theatre director of ATC’s Repertory Company, directs the production.
Says Louer, “The educational value for our Repertory Company members is vast. They are exposed to a controversial theatre piece and what that means to perform something so dangerous in front of an audience. They also are required to do research into each character, which no doubt, taught them a history lesson that they most likely would never have had an interest in. Also, working with guest artists is always illuminating on different levels. That alone gives the young actors a sense of pride and accomplishment.”
With regard to using this production as an outreach opportunity to area schools, Carole Dibo, Executive Director of ATC says, “With our country’s ongoing debate over gun control, and the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK, we are encouraged that this production can be a teaching tool about these events that have shaped our country and hopefully spark discussion in the classroom.”
Guest artist, Michael Witwer, said “I’ve never seen a more skilled group of young actors than those of ATC. Through their training, they have gained a profound understanding of the acting process, affording them a crucial head start in the challenging world of the performing arts.” ATC Rep student, Carson Rammelt, also commented “When working with experienced artists who have been in the industry and know the demands of the artistic world outside, you’re able to observe their own work ethic and apply it to your own for your artistic development. It is very fulfilling and eye opening!”
The cast includes both professional actors from the Chicagoland area, as well as young actors from ATC’s many of Chicago’s Northern suburbs, including guest artists Brian Fimoff, Harmony France, Courtney Lowinski, Christopher Logan, and Michael Witwer along with ATC Students Elita Ernsteen, Sammy Ferber and Jacob Simon of Deerfield, Elizabeth Baker and Seth Steinberg of Evanston, Allie Pappas of Glencoe, Caleb Fietsam of Lake Bluff, Liam Oh, Margo Flynn, Carson Rammelt and Cameron Wise of Wilmette, Jessica Eudy, and Harmony France.
Actors Training Center provides professional-level, process-driven classes for children from kindergarten through 12th grade and adults. Courses in acting, improve, physical theatre, on-camera and musical theatre are offered at the school. Need-based scholarships are also available.
Tickets can be purchased on-line, at www.wilmettetheatre.com, by phone, at (847) 251-7424 or at the theatre box office located at 11222 Central Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.