I have to be honest.
 I had no idea what to expect from something called, "The Flight of the Lawnchair Man." The premise sounded fine: Jerry Gorman is a Wal-Mart employee who has never let go of his boyhood dream of flying. With the help of his adoring girlfriend Gracie and inspired by the French film, "The Red Balloon," Jerry decides to follow his dream by attaching hundreds of helium balloons to a lawnchair.
 They key here is balloons and Jerry's dreams, despite have shortcomings of being average, yet, almost too average. Then again, average at the age of 34 and still trying to get away from the mothering and the boyish characteristics that has kept him grounded, is another thing.
 My thought: Can this possibly work on stage?
 The answer to that is yes, at least for this Tuesday (June 21) performance. In fact, you know a play has grabbed you when intermission hits and you could hear, "Already." Jerry Gorman is played by Grant Drager, while his girl Gracie (the power behind the dream) is performed by Sophie Brown. Both are charming on stage and their energy drive the play. Not to mention some of the songs, which may not be well known, but certainly are worthy. Listen for "Have a Nice Day" and "I Want to Fly."
 Brown is sweet, vulnerable, yet, a steady force for Jerry. In the end she makes a strong decision, too. Act one set up the second act in more than one way. It developed this simple, yet touching story, set in New Jersey, all the while it was fleshing out the characters and making us believe. Not only that, when asked "Who is Jerry Gorman?" we actually wanted to find out. The play was piloted with fine performances by the main characters. Those being Jerry and Gracie, Mother Gorman (Julia Mitchell, (as she has the Jersey thing down), Big Jack Preston (Brandon Ford, who was fantastic as Joe Gillis in "Sunset Blvd.") and Blaire (Erica Vlahinos). These two have to be having fun playing those roles. If we did watching, my guess is they did. It is Act two when it all comes together, in a comical and clever way. Here you get a pilot and flight attendant seeing things and a lawnchair hoisted to the heavens by helium balloons. And hallucinations, or lightheadedness (hey, he's 16,000 feet in the air).
 With those comes appearances by well known aviators and one genius. One of which I can tell you is quite mesmerizing as a female aviator who enchants Jerry enough to give him a choice he must make. Kudos to Katie Wesler on that segment. After all, the play culminates on that premise: When Jerry's invention proves far more successful than he imagined, he must choose between the life he always dreamed about and a life where other people think his dreams are foolish. So, who is Jerry Gorman? You will have to go to Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll to find out. Time is running out and you will not find this play being performed around the region to often. Especially now. Direction is by TLP Guest Director Chuck Smith. Musical Staging by James Beaudry. It runs through June 25. Call the box office at 815-244-2035.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/blog/12056#ixzz1Q7eWliTI

Special Tony Award® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre Athol Fugard Philip J. Smith Regional Theatre Tony Award® Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago, Ill.) Isabelle Stevenson Award Eve Ensler Special Tony Award Handspring Puppet Company...


CONGRATS..REGIONAL THEATRE TO CHICAGO: Special  Regional Theatre Tony Award® Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago, Ill.)...

"Sunset Boulevard" - Timber  Lake Playhouse
By Tim O'Brien
AM 1240 WSDR
O'Brien News Service
  MT. CARROLL - It's no coincidence that the theme for the 50th season at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll is "New Ways To Dream."
  That is what the business they are in  is all about. Plus, that is also a recurring theme in the kickoff production,  "Sunset Boulevard," by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
  From the outset, the audience is transported both in time and place. That place is Hollywood and the time is the Golden Age, where dreams are made and broken, only with hopes of being  rediscovered and loved once again. And it's that line between reality and illusion that always seem to overlap.
  This TLP production plays perfectly  into that theme, and the audience itself feels like they are playing a part in the lives of these characters. Most notably, Norma Desmond (Katherine L.  Condit), Joe Gillis (Brandon Ford), Betty Schaefer (Colleen Johnson) and Max Von Mayerling (John Chase).
  Each portrayal was played to  perfection and the singing top-notch. We cared about these characters, and our hopes and dreams were dashed right along with theirs.
  Yet, at times, this play is haunting and exhilarating, and then downright heartbreaking.
Simply put, this is a stunning adaptation and the ideal way to start what is sure to be a fine summer for that theater in the woods, known as Timber Lake Playhouse.
MORE:
- Outstanding lighting and scenery. The way the motion pictures (black and white, blended with the live action was a nice cohesive part of the show. I'm always amazed how they act, move the sets and act again. The timing and practice needed, is immense. And to note, per Artistic Director James Beaudry, they had 11 days to get this one staged.
- Max (John Chase) bears a closer look. When he first emerges, one thinks, fine, the butler. As the show progresses, a remarkable turn and acting force was he. And a great character.
- Can't say enough about the leads of Katherine Condit and Brandon Ford as Norma and Joe. Even with a humorous wardrobe incident, it did not hurt a thing. In fact, it made them more human. Ford can be heard here on this site below talking about TLP and his roles. He owned the role as Joe Gillis. He will be a force this summer. Condit surely made this jump from the stage right into the audience's lap. A splendid take on this forgotten silent film star. She takes those songs and adds depth and passion.
- Colleen Johnson as Betty, is so likable it hurts. From singing with grace to falling in love with Joe, it works.
- The rest of the cast seemed to relish the script, the singing and being a part of Hollywood in the woods. Even co-founder Andrew Bro, was on hand to play the role of Cecil B. DeMille. A nice touch.
- This was the opening salvo to TLP's 50th season. President of the Timber Lake Playhouse Board of Directors Larry Libberton, offered up many thanks and introduced those in attendance. One could see the love and passion this community has for theater. Surely dreaming new dreams and reliving some old ones, were those in attendance of this night (June 1).
- A cake was presented after the show and yes, it was shared. Before the show, a welcome greeted the patrons with wine, cheese and fruits, among other items, thanks to Shaw Foods of Mt. Carroll.
For tickets and more information, call the box office at 815-244-2035.


Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/blog/11853#ixzz1O5iHNbIZ
***