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curtain calls

Raise that curtain.

'Working' at TLP 

6/22/2012

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Tim O'Brien
WSDR
O'Brien News Service

Director Chuck Smith weaves a masterpiece with 'Working' at TLP Chuck Smith, guest director at Timber Lake Playhouse for the ... Craig Carnelia, Mary Rodgers and James Taylor, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Micki Grant, Craig…Examiner

POSTED 6/21/12 - 11:30 P.M.

MT. CARROLL -  "Working" is a stunning piece of work.

Chuck Smith, guest director at Timber Lake Playhouse for the 11th consecutive year, has weaved a masterpiece at the theater in the woods. This "Working" is not the big play but rather a six character piece that packs a powerful punch of emotion that makes you smile and then shed a tear or two.
 hits home. It has to because we have all been in these situations or know people who are coping with the same ups and downs of this roller coaster we call living.

Examiner.com
Tim O'Brien/Chicago Celebrity Examiner

"Working" is a stunning piece of work.

Chuck Smith, guest director at Timber Lake Playhouse for the 11th consecutive year, has weaved a masterpiece at the theater in the woods. This "Working" is not the big play but rather a six character piece that packs a powerful punch of emotion that makes you smile and then shed a tear or two.

Along the way, it is a story of the American worker, and it is based on the Studs Terkel book. It is those stories that both enlighten and bring to life the six characters. So, this cast has their work cut out for them. If it doesn't work, it's on them. But it does work, on all levels. The stories, the costumes, the set and the music. It has it all and in fact, there is no point in the production when there is a letdown. Every song and story is poignant and makes sense on the level in which it is delivered. From the housewife to the waitress, to the fireman to the steel (mill) worker and to the phone operators to the cubicle workers. This is life and because of that, it hits home. It has to because we have all been in these situations or know people who are coping with the same ups and downs of this roller coaster we call living.

Advertisement Even though the songs are not as known as many other musicals, one of the songwriters is - James Taylor (his music played when entering and at intermission as well; a nice touch).

THE WORKERS
Each character blended this gem together and not one low spot throughout. So, here's an offering for each, since they played multiple parts.
John Chase - Dad. We all have stories and memories of dad. His voice was able to weave the stories and sadness together beautifully.
Judy Knudtson - the housewife that makes you feel for her plight, yet, she works, too.
Erica Stephan - something mesmerized me about her performance. Perhaps it was the eyes and voice combination.
Sharriese Hamilton - what a voice as well. She lets you in and you do not want to let go. Powerful performance.
Dryden Thomas Meints - one of the most consistently good actors around. He never lets an audience down.
Andrew Way - his was all about honesty in a performance. He took you to the fields and we felt the pain and sadness.
In all, you truly believed they were the characters they portrayed.

This is an unique musical where one need not know the songs by heart as it seems that the stories and the songs are really one and the same. Each Act came to a close with gusto with "If I Could've Been" and "Something To Point To." All the songs were great exclamation points to the stories that led up to them.

"Working" is simply spectacular, because it was not cluttered and it wasn't drawn out. It gave a precise message and it left you wanting more.

If one wants to get something else out of it, perhaps it is this. If you like your job, embrace it and be thankful you have it. Because, we all dream but face many roadblocks in life and those "If, Ands and Buts." Life stampedes along no matter what we have planned. If we do not watch out, it will be over before we know it.

It is now playing at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll and runs through June 30. Call TLP at (815) 244-2035 and get those tickets today.

* At the outset, Artistic Director James Beaudry noted "'Working' is a word of mouth play." Well, consider this your cue to get the word of mouth going. Go see this play.
* He is a resident director at the Goodman Theater in Chicago is Chuck Smith. He sat behind me during this opening night performance. At intermission, we talked and I noted how good it was, when it was over, I turned to him and said, "fantastic production." Then, I asked him to confirm again (James pushed for it in stage, too) if he would be back next summer, which would be his 12th. He said he would be. It is CONFIRMED.

ABOUT THE PLAY

JUNE 21-30. Based on Working by Studs Terkel; Book by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso; Music by Stephen Schwartz, Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia, Mary Rodgers and James Taylor, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Micki Grant, Craig Carnelia and James Taylor and Susan Birkenhead.

The hopes, dreams, joys and concerns of the average working American are the focus of this unique, extraordinary musical. That the everyday lives of “common” men and women should be so compelling and moving will surprise and inspire anyone who has ever punched a time clock. Based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working paints a vivid portrait of the men and women the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the waitress, the mill worker, the mason, the trucker, the firefighter or the housewife. It’s an uplifting and highly original look at the American landscape that’s simply impossible to forget. RATED PG13 (Strong Language).

For more on Chicagoan Chuck Smith, head here.

For a Q&A with Smith, click here.

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'Working' up next at TLP

6/19/2012

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Q&A with Chuck Smith

Chicago theater veteran Chuck Smith chats about 'Working'

Examiner.com‎ - 3 hours ago
Before Chuck Smith gets ready to direct Working" at Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll, perhaps a chat is order. "Working" is a musical ...
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Tim's TLP 'Guys and Dolls' review

6/10/2012

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 One thing that sparks summer around northwest Illinois is the official
curtain raising for Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) in Mt. Caroll.


 That has happened with the performance "Guys and Dolls" and I took in
the VIP opening recently (listen to audio on this page). The VIP opening is the
ideal atmosphere to kick off what promises to be a wonderful summer at the
theater in the woods. This season, its 51st, is fueled by musicals and "Guys and
Dolls" was a delight. Before the play, audience got their chance to applaud for
the many members were work at the theater and take in introductions from Larry
Libberton (President of the Board of Directors) and James Beaudry (Artistic
Director). Libberton took te time to make that plea for more help, funding wise,
and noted that the yearly budget for TLP was $500,000. Then Beaudry welcomed the
audience to what he called "An invited dress rehearsal." Beaudry prove3s year in
an year out, that hard work and discipline pay off while having fun at the same
time. He also said this year will be easy for him since the players really do
get along.


The play features the choreography of Will Taylor, who took time out from his
rehearsals with Kristen Chenoweth, to be at TLP for the opening. Yes, you heard
that correctly. Chenoweth is on tour and Will is there, too. She plays the
Cadillac Palace in Chicago Saturday, June 16.


Meanwhile, this well-known play and movie, which runs through June 17, is
pure entertainment. Set on Broadway in New York City, the plays takes you back
to the times when women were called dames and dolls and men, guys and, well,
many other things, mind you.


It all centers around a floating crap game and a bet between Nathan Detroit
(Joe Capstick) and Sky Masterson (Dryden Meints). If these two characters do not
work, neither would the play. But, they do and they have two distinct styles for
patrons to enjoy. No matter the role, it takes confidence to pull these parts
off, and they do it nicely. That brings us to Nicely, as in Nicely-Nicely
Johnson (Tim Wessel). One may say he steals the show. His comic abilities, along
with his buddy Benny Southstreet (Kyle Branzel), are a huge part of the fun of
"Guys and Dolls." Note Wessel throughout and when leaving the theater, you just
might agree. Not only that, listen for "Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat."
Wow.


But, to be honest, it is the Dolls that make this a theater delight. Take
Sarah Brown (Hanah Rose Ardone) and Miss Adelaide (Hayley Gribble). It seems as
if they were made to be a team. Of course, both chasing and wondering what love
is all about on an indivudual basis, but when they appear on stage together,
they make you feel it. They pour themselves into their roles and take the
audience with them with their heartfelt and compassionate performances.


The songs are there, including "Bushel and a Peck," "Marry the Man" and
"Adelaide's Lament. " Oh yeah, "Luck Be a Lady," too. Musical Direction is by
Kenston Rider.


Head to Timber Lake Playhouse this summer and enjoy this theater in the
woods. If you haven't been in a while, rediscover it and if you have never been
there, take a chance. You will like what you see and hear.


* Note: TLP nows serves beer and wine, plus gazebos have been added to the
atmospher,e and as always, Timber Lake Resort is there as well. A nice, peaceful
getaway, not far away. And a perfect day trip for sure. Call the playhouse at
(815) 244-2035

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Performer touring with Kristen Chenoweth

6/6/2012

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Chicago influence shines as Timber Lake Playhouse opens June 7 ...www.examiner.com/.../chicago-influence-shines-as-mt-carroll-theater...20 hours ago – It is not uncommon for many in the Chicagoland area to head west to escape, but not too far. For example, Galena, IL is an ideal spot. But, for ...

It is not uncommon for many in the Chicagoland area to head west to escape, but not too far. For example, Galena, IL is an ideal spot. But, for theater lovers, Mt. Carroll can be that spot as well.

 Heading west on I-88 and then slightly north is a restful community not far from the Iowa border and near the Mississippi River. There also lies Timber Lake Playhouse, where the stars shine at night.

 The theater in the woods officially raises its curtain with a performance of "Guys and Dolls" June 7. This acclaimed theater company is known for attracting talented performers over the years and many hail from Chicago or work in the city.

"Guys and Dolls" runs June 7-17 for the general public. In a nutshell here is what it is about.

 Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City of 1950, and considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, "Guys & Dolls" soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the Save-A-Soul missionary out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet; Miss Adelaide, the chronically sniffling nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to one man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiance, always desperate to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game. "Guys & Dolls" is everything you could want in a musical comedy. RATED PG.

Advertisement Meanwhile, as reported here in earlier stories, a couple examples are Chuck Smith and Lili-Anne Brown.

Her storyLili-Anne Brown has twisted her way through many aspects of show business. Before she heads to New York this Fall, she will twist to that theater in the woods in August. Brown will direct the ever-popular and explosive "Cabaret" from Aug. 2-12. She was also named the new Bailiwick director earlier this year. For complete story head here.

His story
It is not every Chicago-based director who will take time out to travel west and end up near the Mississippi River every summer. But this veteran of the Chicago theater scene does. He is Chuck Smith and that place is Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP), located in Mt. Carroll, IL. For his complete story gohere.

More talent
Among the many talented company members, notes Managing Director Melissa Mattingly Parsons from TLP, is guest choreographer, Will Taylor. Taylor had been at TLP in 2010, when he staged the dances in "Oklahoma." “I fell in love with TLP during 'Oklahoma'. It is a retreat,” he stated when asked why he chose to return.

 Taylor is also working with Broadway star, Kristin Chenoweth, while at TLP. On Saturday night, he left to be one of the only three singer/dancers performing with her in the Broadway/Pop Concert Tour. Taylor will be touring with Chenoweth in nineteen cities across the country.

 Taylor was able to take time out of his busy schedule to return to TLP. “When you work on a show, you create a family. As theatre people, we look for that. We aren’t looking for a job, we are looking for the next family. I love the TLP stage and the people here,” he said, “I am excited to work on 'Guys and Dolls' because it is one of the greatest musical comedies ever written. I am excited to see the company bring it to life, to put a smile on people’s faces. Also, I played Sky Masterson in high school, so the show is very special to me personally.”

 "Guys and Dolls" performs June 7-17 at Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road, Mount Carroll. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays and there are 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays and Wednesdays. New this season, there is also a Saturday matinee performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are available through the box office during regular business hours, 11a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, at 815-244-2035 

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