Neil Simon Comedy Rounds Out CST Season

Chicago Street Theatre has one goal in mind for its last show of the season: laughter.

There are no deep messages, no hidden meanings, just pure comedy.

The fact that it’s a Neil Simon comedy is an added plus, says Director David Pera.

Originally, the show slated in this timeslot was the tragic drama, “The Visit.” But as auditions were under way, the script seemed heavy for a season-ender, prompting a change of direction.

“We wanted to end on a high comedic note,” Pera said.

This is not Pera’s first experience with “Fools.” Chicago Street first produced the show in 1988 with Pera playing the role of Dr. Zubritsky.

As one of CST’s most prolific actors, Pera has portrayed many roles and directed several shows in the 23 years since then. His vast theatre experience and sense of what audiences enjoy led him back to Neil Simon.

“I was looking through my shelf of scripts – I keep every script for every part I’ve ever played – and I thought, ‘Yeah, that will work. That will have audience appeal.’”

Ask any cast member to describe the script, and each would probably have the same response: silly. Not in an artistic way, but rather in the premise and dialogue.

The plot centers around a school teacher who arrives in a village that has been cursed with chronic stupidity for 200 years. It is his job to break the curse or face a life of stupidity himself.

Pera describes the difference between acting and directing as “night and day,” and he is enjoying the switch from fine-tuning one character to having a broad influence on the play.

His advice? “Come to this show and forget your worries. Just have a good time.”

The cast

• Alex Malangoni, Valparaiso, as Leon Tolchinsky
  
• Daena Sisk, Valparaiso, as Sophia Zubritsky
  
• John Lattuada, Crown Point, as Snetsky
  
• Glenn Silver, Hobart, as the Magistrate
  
• Yuri Vanzine, Valparaiso, as Slovitch
  
• Donna Rettew, Valparaiso, as Mishkin
  
• Kandice Evans, Valparaiso, as Yenchna
  
• Tony Balsamo, Michigan City, as Dr. Zubritsky
  
• Barb Malangoni, Valparaiso, as Lenya Zubritsky
  
• Michael “Doc” Kuhn, Schererville, as Gregor Yousekevitch

Tickets are available now at the CST Box Office, located at 154 W. Chicago St. in Valparaiso. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours before each production. The box office phone number is (219) 464-1636. Tickets also are available for purchase online by visiting www.chicagostreet.org

The 56th season at CST is generously sponsored by Urschel Laboratories, UFS Corporation, Porter County Community Foundation, Indiana Dunes Tourism, South Shore Arts, and the Indiana Arts Commission.

Join us for an opening night gala with the cast and crew on Friday, July 8. Hosted at ZaZa Ristorante Italiano in Valparaiso, everyone in the audience is invited to join the cast and crew for complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.

Fools Schedule

• Friday, July 8 – 8 p.m.
  
• Saturday, July 9 – 8 p.m.
  
• Sunday, July 10 – 2:30 p.m.
  
• Friday, July 15 – 8 p.m.
  
• Saturday, July 16 – 8 p.m.
  
• Sunday, July 17 – 2:30 p.m.
  
• Thursday, July 21 – 8 p.m.
  
• Friday, July 22 – 8 p.m.
  
• Saturday, July 23 – 8 p.m.

Prices

• Adult tickets $18
  
• Seniors (62+) $15
  
• Students (21 and younger) $15
  
• Veterans $15

Reservations can be made by calling the Chicago Street Theatre box office at (219) 464-1636 Monday - Friday, between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. or you may leave a message anytime, and someone will return your call. You also may contact us via e-mail at boxoffice@chicagostret.org or you may visit the Web site at www.chicagostreet.org.

CTG is supported, in part, by South Shore Arts, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for the Arts.