Grove Players presents PICNIC

Grove Players starts off its 78th

season with William Inge’s PICNIC, a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about love

and longing. Set in 1953, the play examines the arrival of a handsome drifter

who upsets the equilibrium of a small Kansas town on a steamy Labor Day

weekend.

2013 is a particularly resonant
year in which to stage PICNIC, as it marks the 100th birthday of the playwright
William Inge, who died in 1973. PICNIC was also developed into an Academy
Award-winning 1955 film starring Kim Novak, William Holden, and Rosalind
Russell. Director Richard Gannon calls PICNIC “a play about dreams” and the
search to find meaning and value in life. Both the young characters and the
older generation struggle against convention in perhaps their final chance for
fulfillment. Wheaton resident Jennifer Myers, who plays “old maid
school-teacher” Rosemary Sydney, remarks that she feels fortunate to perform in
such a beautifully-written and famous play.

PICNIC takes place between the
homes of Helen Potts and Flo Owens, where Helen cares for her elderly mother,
and Flo raises her two teen-aged daughters by herself. Flo’s daughter, Millie,
is a bookish tomboy, whereas her other daughter, Madge, is the town beauty and
dates the son of a wealthy family. Boarding at Flo’s house is Rosemary Sydney,
who proudly claims she doesn’t need a man. And then Hal Carter wanders into
town, takes off his shirt and nobody stays the same. Hal’s presence brings to
the surface all the dreams, frustrations and longings that characterize
small-town America in the fifties.

Wheaton resident Alex Koelsch
plays the handsome drifter Hal. Alissa Leoni (Villa Park) is Millie Owens, and
Akeila LeClaire (Downers Grove) plays her sister Madge. Susan O’Byrne
(Hinsdale) portrays their mother, Flo, who suspects that Hal might spell
trouble for her girls. Suzy Krueckeberg of Oak Park plays the Owens’ genial
neighbor, Helen Potts. Drew Halliday of Hinsdale plays Madge’s rich boyfriend,
Alan Seymour. Downers Grove native Dave Callaghan portrays Rosemary’s beau,
Howard Bevans. Jan Lown of Downers Grove and Danna Durkin of Darien portray the
gossipy Irma Kronkite and Christine Schoenwalder. Cameron Box (Downers Grove)
plays Bomber, another young man pursuing the beautiful Madge. The production
team is headed by Sara Keough as Stage Manager, with Rusty Steiger producing.

PICNIC opens November 15th and
runs till November 24th at the Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave in Downers Grove.
Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8 pm, and Sunday performances
begin at 2 pm. Tickets prices are $16 (adult), $13 (senior), and $11 (student).
To reserve tickets, please visit Grove Players’ website at www.groveplayers.org
or call us at 630-415-3682. Tickets are also available for purchase at Evelyn
Jane Boutique, 1008 Curtis St. in Downers Grove.