Elmhurst, IL — Imagine that you’re a poor English shoe salesman named Harry Witherspoon who dreams of a better life. Now suppose that you receive a telegram stating that your late uncle just left you six million dollars. Life would seem to be headed to easy street, but not so fast–there’s a catch! In order to claim the fortune, Harry must transport Uncle Anthony–dressed to be alive–to Monte Carlo and accompany Anthony’s corpse on a series of activities that most people don’t get to experience while alive. But that’s not all. Along the way, Harry encounters an eclectic group of characters–including a diamond embezzler, a charismatic yet enigmatic tour guide, a mysterious woman who is a dog lover, an optometrist who has a contract out on his life, and a voluptuous cabaret singer and dancer–who have various motives regarding him and the money. These plotlines and characters collide in the musical farce Lucky Stiff by Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), which opens November 1 at GreenMan Theatre. This production kicks off GreenMan’s tenth season as a theatre company.
Ahrens and Flaherty previously teamed to create Ragtime, Seussical, and Once on This Island. Lucky Stiff, which won the Helen Hayes Award for Best Musical, runs four weekends at GreenMan from November 1-24. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 PM & Sunday matinees begin at 2 PM. All performances take place in Asbury Hall at First United Methodist Church at 232 S. York in Elmhurst. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors/students. Free parking is available. Tickets can be purchased at http://ticketpeak.com/gmtt or reserved at 630-464-2646. More information available at www.greenmantheatre.org.
Lucky Stiff is directed by Craig Gustafson. The musical director is Kathleen Dooley. The choreographer is Katy Smith. The assistant director and stage manager is Alice Rebecchi. The cast includes Kristin Arntzen, Stan Austin, John Corona, Dan Hitzemann, Aimee Kennedy, Amelia Kloskowski, Peter Lemongelli, Cathy McNamara, Jaime Sandoval, and Lars Timpa.
GreenMan Theatre Troupe is a non-profit 501[c]3 organization whose mission is to provide a source of cultural enrichment and pride for the community by presenting diverse, quality productions and providing opportunities for personal growth in the theatrical arts. GreenMan has been presenting plays in Elmhurst since being founded in 2003 by Jill Perez, David Soria, and Carole Thorpe. Past productions include “Dracula,” “Smoking Gun,” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.” GreenMan also offers classes and workshops for members and the community and welcomes new members and participants in all aspects of theatre production. GreenMan programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. Financial support provided by the City of Elmhurst Community Grant Program.
It’s difficult to see who is in charge in “Lucky Stiff” at GreenMan Theatre [Above, Left to Right: Peter Lemongelli, Kristin Arntzen, Catharine McNamara, Stan Austin, Jaime Sandoval (seated)]
Harry jumps for joy when he learns his Uncle Anthony left him 6 million dollars–until he finds out there’s a catch in “Lucky Stiff” at GreenMan Theatre [Below, Left to Right: Peter Lemongelli, Jaime Sandoval]
