The last play of the 2013 season at Timber LakePlayhouse (TLP) in Mt. Carroll is the perfect ending to a wonderful season. In fact, a "'S Wonderful" season.

The last play is titled "'S Wonderful: The New Gershwin Musical." The subtle gestures, the songs and the sensational dancing sets the audience up for a wonderful (there's that word again) trip down memorylane. It takes you on a journey by using the song and dance as its storytelling.

Travel along to five different destinations, including 1940s Hollywood, 1920s New York, 1930s Paris, 1950s New Orleans and the present day. To get there, it takes a cast. And these five get the job done. They are Genna-Paige Kanago (as Jane), Sarah Larson (as Leslie), Zak McMahon (as Gene), Lexie Plath (as Nina) and Tim Wessel (as Harold).

They weave in and out of these stories with poise and perfection. Two guys, three women makes this shine. The women are sexy, sultry, and very talented, plus upbeat and energetic, too. And they have been all season.

Directed by Courtney Crouse, "S Wonderful" is a playback of some of the most popular songs ever recorded, including "I've Got a Crush On You," "Summertime," "Strike Up the Band," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Funny Face" and "Someone To Watch Over Me."

"The storytelling we do with dance adds to the universal nature of these themes. It moves us, and we identify. It’s impossible not to," said Crouse. All season long the choreography has been a sight to see. Here, it is done by Wessel and Cameron Turner. It is set in five scenes, but all the characters mix throughout and perform their way as the plot unfolds.

After the opening, it's 1924 (Harold's story), then 1957 (Nina's story) and back to 1939 for Leslie's story. After intermission, it is 1948 and Jane's stroy and then Gene's story brings it all home. It takes the performers to weave it all together - and they do.

The music is major factor as well. this time around, the musicians are on stage and that adds to the appeal. They are Cindy Blanc (piano/conductor, Emily Bressler (Reeds), Peter Minucci (Drums) and Joseph Steil (Bass).

All summer long the cast at Timber Lake Playhouse has provided a superb collection of song, dance, energy and storytelling. With "S Wonderful," it felt like an appreciation of what was witnessed on stage this season. Call it a victory lap, a fan appreciation or a thank you, as that would sum it up nicely.

"'S Wonderful is a a potent mix of beauty and talent. Call 815-244-2035. It runs through Sunday, Aug. 25. Go here for next season's lineup.

When asked after the opening night performance about the season, Executive Director James Beaudry said, "We tried to set the bar higher this year. " I think we made that happen." He was right. That was able to happen because the cast had the special mix of talent. They could do it all.

MT. CARROLL - "And now for something completely different" - "Spamalot" at Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP). This play aptly falls into that description - - in a good way. No, make that a great way.

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The company that has performed at the playhouse this summer has been first rate all season long. With "Spamalot," they utilize all their talents and explode with a hilarious romp in search of The Holy Grail. Monty Python's madness and genius is on display here and the audience exploded with laughter and applause throughout tonight's opening performance.

Even if you do not know anything about "Monty Python and The Holy Grail," their Flying Circus of a TV show, or any of the characters and other movies, this play works.

But, if you do, it works on a much higher level. This cast brings that higher level to life and helps bring back those wonderful memories To fans of the TV show, that includes the phrase "And now for something completely different," right?

Location: Timber Lake Playhouse 42.052791 ; -89.938435 Rousing applause goes to John Chase (King Arthur), Sharisse Hamilton (The Lady of The Lake), James Beaudry (Sir Robin), Jess Ford (Sir Lancelot), Matthew C. Webb (Patsy), Elliot March (Sir Belvedere) and Cody Jolly (Historian and more). Beaudry, who is also the executive director of TLP, gets back in the game with this one.

After the performance, he noted that without the work of Courtney Crouse, who is company manager this summer, that would not have happened. He quipped that he was getting too old for this but, "without Courtney being able to step in for two weeks, I would not have been able to perform."

It was nice to see him back on stage as Sir Robin and lend his talent that helped push him into the role he has at the theater. The fun of watching the characters use the word play and expressions along the way is a delight. Listen carefully for those wacky lyrics, dual roles and odd items. That includes a cow, rabbit, Trojan rabbit and the Knights Who Say Ni, just to name a few. And let's not forget those showgirls. They cheer, sing, dance and demand attention.

There is no way you will go away without remembering them. The Scene Change, just remember the Scene Change, as in Lexie Plath. She is talent that oozes sex appeal. She backs it up with stage presence and talent, as does Sarah Larson. When the knights head to Camalot (a casino), look for all of this on display. More of the eye-catching showgirls are Danille Davilla, Genna-Paige Kanago, Abby Taylor, Tayloir Pace and Hannah-Jo Weisberg.

Webb as Patsy continues to be a comic master at TLP this summer. Ford as Lancelot no doubt watched Eric Idle and Michael Palin from Monty Python for his spot on performance. Add in John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones from that famous troupe to make it complete. March as Belvedere is solid and shows a charisma that needs to be noticed. Jolly, in a few roles, proves he can do it all.

But, the glue needs to be there and that is Chase as King Arthur. Watching his facial expressions when these encounters take place is priceless. He expressions and reactions are a hoot. Hamilton as The Lady of the Lake is a showstopper - - on purpose. That is her role and wow, what a role. The diva belts out of tune, pulls it back, and commands respect. In many shows, there is that song that packs an emotional punch. She gets it and more. The fact that she can make it emotional with those lyrics, is comedy gold.

All of this needs to come together to pull out the silliness and the company must be able to sing and dance, to boot. Note the spectacular choreography in this one. Beaudry, along with Cameron, mae their mark on this one. Rounding out the company here are Joe Capstick, Alex Johnson, Zak McMahon, Dylan Pessman,Tim Wessel and choreographer Turner.
Ultimately, there is a message here. It is all about searching for your own personal grail. How ones gets there is up to the individual. While searching for the grail, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."
But, it is, once again, the company coming together, that is a joy to watch. From the opening salvo of the "Fisch Schlapping Song" to the reprise to "The Song That Goes Like This," this one will makes the search for the Holy Grail of whole lot of fun.

"Spamalot" is such a solid, splendid musical comedy, it deserves a second look. Make those plans now. It runs through Aug. 11. Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Road in Mt. Carroll. Call 815-244-2035.

MT. CARROLL - And now for something completely different - "Spamalot" at Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP). This play aptly falls into that description - - in a good way. No, make that a great way. The company that has performed at the playhouse this summer has been first rate all season long. With "Spamalot," they utilize all their talents and explode with a hilarious romp in search of The Holy Grail. Monty Python's madness and genius is on display here and the audience roared with laughter and applause throughout tonight's opening performance. Even if you do not know anything about "Monty Python and The Holy Grail," their TV show or any of the characters, this play works. But, if you do, it works on a much higher level. This cast brings that higher level to life and helps bring back those wonderful memories. And being a Tony Award winning play certainly helps.
  Initial kudos John Chase (King Arthur), Sharisse Hamilton (The Lady of The Lake), James Beaudry (Sir Robin), Jess Ford (Sir Lancelot), Matthew C. Webb (Patsy), Elliot March (Sir Belvedere) and Cody Jolly (Historian and more). Beaudry, who is also the executive director of TLP, gets back in the game with this one. After the performance, he noted that without the work of Courtney Crouse, who is company manager this summer, that would not have happened. He quipped that he was getting old for this but, "without Courtney being able to step in for two weeks, I would not have been able to perform."
"Spamalot" is such a solid, splendid musical comedy, it deserves a second look. Make those plans now. Call 815-244-2035. Complete review coming here and for my Examiner (Chicago) beat

FULL REVIEW: Comic caper at Timber Lake Playhouse hits the right spot

"UNNECESSARY FARCE" - DIRECTED BY CHICAGO'S LILI-ANNE BROWN OF THE BAILIWICK ....Fresh off the dynamic performance of "The Music Man," Timberlake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll (TLP) smacks the audience over the head with a comic farce. This comedy is fast-paced and fun and shows the ability of the cast to switch from a classic musical to a comedy. It is "Unnecessary Farce" and it is a delightful change of pace. There are no weaknesses in the cast which includes Alex Johnson as Eric Sheridan, Hannah-Jo Weisberg as Billie Dwyer, Sarah Larson as Karen Brown, Matthew C. Webb as Mayor Meekly, Brandon Day as Agent Frank, Cody Jolly as Todd and Erica Stephan as Mary Meekly. More later here and on Examiner.com (Chicago Celebrity)...for me this was a necessary comedy....

MT. CARROLL  - "The Music Man" is magnificent.

I could leave it at that but I won't. On this opening night (July 5), an enthusiastic holiday audience fell in love with the play all over again. Or, for some, perhaps the first time. The songs, the costumes, the choreography, the set, the music and the energy, all came together to forge a fantastic blend of showmanship and sheer talent.

"The Music Man" hits home with the theme and the plot of the show as well. This show is about a Midwestern small town. It follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band, despite the fact he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef.

Cody Jolly and Sarah Larson as Professor Harold Hill and Marian Paroo, respectively, were the glue to this fine ensemble, in which every player brought their A game. The timing of the cast showed that this was a well-rehearsed effort, which was certainly appreciated. This play is not easy to perform.

“Classic musical comedy is one of the most American arts forms, and it’s also one of the hardest to get right,” Executive Director James Beaudry said. He also directs and choreographs the play.

Every song was met with honest applause. The audience loved it from the start, with the fast-paced and rapid-fire delivery of "Rock Island." A thought, however, quickly comes to mind when this number is being performed. This kind of musical theater takes a special kind of talent and timing. Further proof would soon follow as Jolly declared "Ya Got Trouble." Hill and Company took the stage by storm and never let up. Perhaps that is the joy of this play. Even though there is a con game going on and potential heartbreak, it is too darn fun not to root for the salesman - - to succeed in the sale and love.

The only "Trouble" would be leaving out someone who deserves a mention here, but that is inevitable. The familiar songs, the jokes, the quick quips made this a very enjoyable evening at the theatre. The anticipation of  the reprise for "Ya Got Trouble" into "Seventy-Six Trombones," was a highlight, and Jolly delivered. "Goodnight, My Someone" was beautifully performed by Larson, as were the ladies' performance of "Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little." Again, impeccable timing.

The play featured Judy Knudtson as Mrs. Paroo and Brad Field as Charlie Cowell, another fast-talking salesman, but with ethics. Also featured were Matthew C. Webb as Mayor Shinn and Hannah-Jo Weisberg as Eulalie MacKenzie Shin, who brought humor along with the talent. So, even when a word like "poop" is uttered instead of "peep," it played as if it should be there. The show also included fifteen performers from the area. Among them were Will Boze and Vivian Lobdell, both of Sterling, IL, in the roles of Winthrop and Amaryllis. Hats off to them as well.

The school board, who found out they loved to sing, quartet style, didn't miss a beat. The company had plenty of stage time with "Iowa Stubborn," "Marian the Librarian" and "The Wells Fargo Wagon," to name a few.

One song that needs to be mentioned is "Shipoopi." Tim Wessel as Marcellus Washburn leads the charge on this one. The song did not disappoint and the company came together and knocked it out. It was truly remarkable to watch the company perform throughout the play in the space allowed. They used the entire theater so the audience felt as if they were a part of River City as well.
Cindy Blanc of Monroe, WI vocal directs and Emily Bressler of Mount Carroll directs the musicians. Assistant director and choreographer is Cameron Turner.

“The commitment of the cast to creating a fun and spectacular show that celebrates a kind of mythical small town Americana, is turning 'The Music Man' into a show that I think our audiences will just love,” Beaudry added.
He was right as there was no real "Trouble" in River City as "The Music Man" marched right in and delivered a show that hit the right notes.

Area cast members included: Brad Field (Mount Carroll); Will Boze (Sterling); Vivian Lobdell (Sterling); Terrie Miller (Savanna); Kathleen Brinkmeier (Pearl City); Kevin Strunk  (Morrison);  Kallie Zuidema (Sterling); Caden Foster (Sterling); Elise Foster (Sterling); Angie Lobdell (Sterling), Levi Skoog (Chadwick), Kallie Timmons (Lyndon), Katie Woods (Savanna) and Morgan Zuidema (Sterling).

Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" runs through July 14. Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) is located at 8215 Black Oak Road in rural Mount Carroll, IL. Tickets are $15-23 and are available at the box office, by calling 815-244-2035 or visiting www.timberlakeplayhouse.org.

QUICK HIT: July 5, 11:57 p.m. - MT. CARROLL  - "The Music Man" is magnificent. I could leave it at that but I won't. It has been 25 years since Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll has staged "The Music Man." I'm just glad they didn't wait any longer. On this opening night, an enthusiastic holiday audience fell in love with the play all over again. Or, for some, perhaps for the first time. The songs, the choreography, the set and the energy came together to forge a fantastic blend of showmanship and sheer talent. More coming and will be at Examiner.com (Chicago Celebrity)..and here, of course...Cody Jolly and Sarah Larson as Professor Hill and Miss Marian were the glue to this fine ensemble, in which every player brought their A game. Even when a word like "poop" came out instead of "peep," it played as if it should be there...call 815-244-2035 and get your tickets NOW...

..."The Music Man" opened on Friday, July 5, because TLP does not perform on July 4. There will be a special Sunday evening performance on July 7...SHOW TIMES: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Wednesdays matinees are at 2 p.m.. The first weekend of each show will have a Saturday matinee at 3 pm.

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.