Carli Wheeler of Joliet is a cast member in the latest PLT Production

2012 Apr 5

Carli Wheeler of Joliet is a cast member in the latest production of Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theater (PLT). "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" opens April 20.

It is a hysterical musical comedy that is guaranteed to release one's inner child. Audiences will plunge head first into the minds of the incredibly unusual characters and their "unfortunate" problems that could keep them from "bee-coming" this year's spelling champion. Each character brings their own adolescent baggage and will keep the audience on the edge of their seat wondering what humorous and outrageous moment could possibly occur next. The show runs until Sunday, April 29.

Keith White of Joliet, Chair/Director of the theatre department, directs the cast of 9 Lewis University students. Members of the ensemble cast include: Carli Wheeler and Mike Sansone of Joliet, Stephanie Lipinski of Oak Forest, Erika Young and Matthew Carlson of Lockport, Christopher Selefski of Plainfield, Adam Smetana of Racine, Wis., Jackie Staszak of Braidwood, and Nick Martinez of Crystal Lake.

Lewis second year student Stephanie Daley of Lockport is stage manager. Becky Hicks of Joliet (vocal director), Harold McCay of Joliet (set design), Lewis alumnus Kevin Kaucher of Chicago (lighting design), Celeste Mackey of Joliet (costume design) and Dave Pomatto of Naperville (assistant technical director) provide artistic collaboration. Other Lewis student production staff members include: Jenni Beck of Rock Falls (assistant stage manager), Michael Wall of Wauconda (light board operator), Sabra Thomas of Bolingbrook (properties), Caitlin Higgins of Homer Glen and Jessie Richey of McHenry (sound and microphones), Gaby Flores and Brittany Owen-Hogan of Chicago (follow spot operators), and Mary Bradley of Palos Heights (backstage crew).

This show is recommended for patrons 13 years old and up and will run April 20-22 and April 26-29. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m., while Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. A special benefit performance for Regional CARE, Will County's not-for-profit agency that provides comprehensive medical and mental health care for persons living with HIV/AIDS, will be performed at 4 P.M. on Saturday, April 28. A silent auction, exciting raffles, and a free dessert bar are included in the $35 admission price. Please call Regional CARE at (815) 722-7000 to purchase tickets to the benefit performance. Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students and $2 for Lewis students with their student IDs. Tickets are $10 for groups of fifteen or more, a savings of more than 10 percent off the original ticket price. Tickets are non-refundable.

For more information, call the PLT box office at (815) 836-5500, Monday thru Friday from 1-4:30 p.m., or by emailing at boxoffice@lewisu.edu. Renovations for the Oremus Fine Arts building has begun, for additional information patrons can visit www.lewisu.edu/plt, for updates and parking suggestions. The Philip Lynch Theatre is located on the main campus of Lewis University, Oremus Fine Arts Building on Route 53 in Romeoville.