JOHN AND JEN Chicago area Premiere

[Jon]

JOHN AND JEN Chicago area Premiere#0

Posted: 4/25/05 at 12:14pm

The Illinois Theatre Center of Park Forest will close its 29th season with the Chicago Area Premiere of the musical JOHN AND JEN by Andrew Lippa and Tom Greenwald, opening Friday, May 6. Directed by Etel Billig, this intimate show looks at the complexities of relationships between brothers and sisters and mothers and sons, set against the backdrop of a changing America.

The musical features two actors who portray the characters from childhood through adulthood, using only slight costume changes. The story begins in 1952, as six-year old Jen (Kelly Anne Clark) welcomes her newborn brother John (Peter Robel). The action follows them as they grow through the 50’s and 60’s. Sibling rivalry, parental abuse, and differing political views pull the two apart. Jen goes to college in New York City and gets involved in the anti-war movement. John decides to enlist in the Navy and goes to fight in Viet Nam.

Act Two picks up the story in 1972. Jen has a young son, also named John (also played by Robel). As Jen watches her son grow up in the 1980’s, she desperately tries to be the perfect parent and hold on to a close relationship with her increasingly rebellious son. By the time John is ready for college, the two manage to come to a place of reconciliation and acceptance.

Kelly Anne Clark makes her Illinois Theatre Center debut as Jen. Ms. Clark won the Jeff Award for her performance in VICTOR/VICTORIA at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre. She appeared in the long-running Off-Broadway production of I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, as well as numerous other productions at Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, The Goodman, Royal George, North Light, Theatre at the Center, and other Chicago area theatres.

Peter Robel (John) returns for his seventh production at ITC. Recent appearances include BERLIN TO BROADWAY and THE RINK. His other Chicago area credits include CAMELOT and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Drury Lane Oakbrook, THE DEAD at Court Theatre, as well as roles with Borealis, Wagon Wheel, and American Girl Theatre.

JOHN AND JEN opens Friday, May 6 and runs through Sunday, May 22. Performances are Wednesday though Saturday evenings at 8 PM and Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $20 for Fri. & Sat., and $18 for Wed., Thurs. & Sun. There is a $1 discount for students and seniors. The Illinois Theatre Center is located at 371 Artists Walk in Park Forest - a 1 hour drive South of downtown Chicago. For tickets, call (70 481-3510.


P.S. - I am the Musical Director.

[iluvtheatertrash]

re: JOHN AND JEN Chicago area Premiere#1

Posted: 4/25/05 at 1:21pm

What a FABULOUS, FABULOUS musical. I'm rooting for it!

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

[melissa errico fan]

re: JOHN AND JEN Chicago area Premiere#2

Posted: 4/25/05 at 3:17pm

I adore this show. "The Road Ends Here" makes me cry.

[BobbyBubby]

re: JOHN AND JEN Chicago area Premiere#3

Posted: 4/25/05 at 3:30pm

I love this show too, although, without Carolee I may not like it as much.

[melissa errico fan]

re: JOHN AND JEN Chicago area Premiere#4

Posted: 4/25/05 at 3:56pm

Carolee was great, but I saw it again after she left (Michele Pawk was playing Jen), and it was still great. This show is great, no matter who is in it.