Dunes Arts Summer Theatre continues its 75th season with Terrence McNally's acclaimed romantic drama "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune," opening Thursday, June 25, and running through Sunday, July 12.
Originally premiering Off-Broadway in 1987, "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" remains one of McNally's most enduring works, celebrated for its humor, honesty and deeply human portrayal of connection, vulnerability and hope.
Directed by Morgan McCabe with scenic design by Michael Lasswell, the production stars Kat Evans as Frankie and Mark Mendelsohn as Johnny, with Michael Nowak as the Voice of the Radio Announcer.
Set over the course of a single evening in a modest New York City apartment, "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" follows two middle-aged coworkers at a diner as they begin to form an unexpected connection. Frankie, a guarded waitress wary of disappointment, and Johnny, an optimistic short-order cook eager to embrace life's possibilities, spend the night sharing stories, confronting insecurities and navigating the delicate balance between independence and intimacy. As the evening unfolds, Johnny requests Debussy's "Clair de Lune" on the radio and invites Frankie to stand with him in the moonlight. What begins as an awkward encounter gradually becomes an honest exploration of trust, loneliness and the courage required to open oneself to another person.
"First produced in 1987, the play's themes still resonate deeply in today's loud, divided culture," says director Morgan McCabe. "Because we often connect only through devices, loneliness and a fear of emotional vulnerability are rising. This play strips everything down to two ordinary, working-class people in a small apartment, negotiating consent, autonomy and the fragile possibility of connection. Choosing hope and love is especially resonant in such uncertain times."
"Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of the Dramatists Play Service.
Performances of "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" take place June 25 through July 12 at Dunes Summer Theatre, located at 288 Shady Oak Drive in Michiana Shores, Indiana. There will be no performance Saturday, July 4, and an additional performance has been added Thursday, July 2, at 7 p.m. CT. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET) and Sundays at 2 p.m. CT (3 p.m. ET), unless otherwise noted. Tickets ($15-$35) and full season information are available at dunesARTS.org.
ABOUT THE ACTORS
Kat Evans is a performer, writer and director based in Chicago since 2006. She wants to give a public shout out to her Hubs for being the flippin' best. She is an Artistic Associate at City Lit where she has been lucky enough to play a vaudeville comedienne, a magical talking lamp, two bereaved mothers, a bartender, a wingman and a princess cursed to be a cow. You can hear her voice in arcade games Fast & Furious and Godzilla VR, podcasts Starlight Radio Dreams and Our Fair City, and two animated shorts by Laura Lewis Barr. She has served on the writing team for Starlight Radio Dreams and Yippee, a streaming network for kids. Her audio plays have been produced by Whiskey Radio Hour and Theatrical Shenanigans. She's also worked at Underhanded Film Productions, Black Button Eyes, Eclectic Full Contact, Promethean, The Hypocrites and The Savoyaires.
Mark Mendelsohn is delighted to be making his debut with Dunes Summer Theatre. Recent roles include Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns (City Lit Theater, Chicago); War of the Worlds (Lifeline Theater, Chicago); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Garden Theater, Houston); and God of Carnage (Stageworks Theater, Houston). When not teaching high school English or sifting through used LP bins at record stores, Mark enjoys perfecting his espresso-making technique and taking advantage of all the breweries in the Chicago area. As always, he sends bucketfuls of love and thanks to his family and friends for their support and encouragement, especially his wife, Christine.
Michael Nowak performed in a reading of Tom Stoppard's Dogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth for The Dunes Arts Foundation in November 2025 as part of the American Theatre Organization's nationwide arts protest for the Fall of Freedom. In his 30 years in Chicago theatre, he has received Joseph Jefferson Awards for acting, directing and playwriting. For more than 25 years, he hosted radio programs about gardening and the environment on WGN, WCPT and WCGO, as well as presenting live streams and podcasts.
ABOUT DUNES ARTS SUMMER THEATRE
The Dunes Arts Foundation, which operates Dunes Arts Summer Theatre and Education Programs, was incorporated in the State of Indiana in 1951 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Nestled within the woodsy dunes of Michiana Shores, Dunes Summer Theatre is located at about a half mile from the Indiana Dunes and the Lake Michigan shore at 288 Shady Oak Dr, Michigan City, Ind. As northwest Indiana’s longest-running summer theater program, Dunes Summer Theatre has provided professional theater productions for more than seven decades. This one-of-a-kind experience is a highlight of Harbor Country’s cultural fabric, promoting community spirit and embracing inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in all areas of operations. For more information or to purchase individual tickets ($35), senior/student tickets ($30), group sales ($25 for four or more) and season subscriptions ($150) please visit dunesARTS.org or call (219) 879-7509. Follow along on social media @dunesartsfoundation.