The newly formed JK Entertainment is proud to announce their inaugural show: PRODIGAL SON. The production will run from October 10 through November 2 at the Athenaeum Center in Chicago. Tickets on sale at https://athenaeumcenter.org/events/2025/prodigal-son/.
PRODIGAL SON is John Patrick Shanley’s autobiographical coming-of-age story of a 15 year- old attending a private New Hampshire prep school in the 1960s. Jim is a restless and brilliant youth from a blue collar family in The Bronx who, after being expelled from yet another high school, receives a scholarship to the prestigious Thomas More Preparatory School. While Jim wrestles with his identity, Carl Schmitt, the headmaster, and Alan Hoffman, head of the English Department, are wrestling with what to do with their troubled new student. Is he a brilliant-though-troubled youth who, with the correct guidance, could do great things? Or, is he a lost cause that could tarnish the reputation of their illustrious school?
JK Entertainment’s cast for PRODIGAL SON features Julian Rus (Jim Quinn), Steve Delaney (Carl Schmitt), John Pietrzyk (Alan Hoffman), Maggie Kelly (Louise Schmitt) and Liam Pietrzyk (Austin Schmitt). Also joining the cast as understudies are Brayden Cervantes, Jonathan C Legat, Jerod Howard, Michael Rodriguez, and Staci Kelley.
PRODIGAL SON will be directed by Jonathan James, and assistant directed by Larissa Catalano, with set design by John Pietrzyk and Kathi Campbell, sound design by Michael Incardone, lighting design by Rick Keeley, and stage management by Michael Fosha.
ABOUT JK ENTERTAINMENT
JK Entertainment is a Chicago-based nonprofit producing theatre, film, music, and other media for audiences who think differently. Founded by Jonathan James and co-founded by Kyle Reid Hass, after a sold-out Chicago run of The Outsiders, the company champions bold, boundary-pushing work at the intersection of art and activism.
To learn more about JK Entertainment and keep up with future projects visit jkentertainment.org
Follow JK Entertainment on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook #jkentertainment
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE CAST
Julian Rus – (Jim Quinn) is thrilled to take on the role of Jim Quinn in Prodigal Son! A passionate actor and musician, Julian’s favorite credits include Johnny Cade in The Outsiders (Athenaeum Center) – a performance which Chicago Theatre Review called "the heart and soul of this production", Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls (Elgin Art Showcase), and Two-Bit Mathews in The Outsiders (Elgin Art Showcase). He has also performed as Hobo in The Polar Express (Fox River Trolley Museum), Hades in Hadestown Teen Edition (The Lodge Performing Arts Center), and Thenardier in Les Misérables School Edition (Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts). Julian’s voiceover work includes performances with The Merry Beggars in Saint Vincent DePaul, and he has appeared at local events with his band, sharing his love of guitar and vocals. He trains extensively in acting, voice, guitar, and violin, and is represented by Talent X Alexander. He’s grateful to the cast, creative team, his coach and his awesome and loving family! Watch him stir the pot, dodge authority, and maybe even find himself in this whirlwind of brilliance and rebellion. Enjoy the beautiful journey that is Prodigal Son!
Steve Delaney – (Carl Schmitt) is proud to reprise the role of Carl Schmitt in Prodigal Son for JK Entertainment, having performed it previously with Elgin Theatre Company. His most recent stage credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Antonio) for Goodly Creatures Theatre; 99th & Nowhere (Peter) for Steel Beam Theatre; and It’s a Wonderful Life radio play (Uncle Billy) for Theatre-on-the-Hill at the Moonlight Theater. Steve studied Theatre at Loyola University of Chicago and has an MBA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
John Pietrzyk – (Alan Hoffman) John was recently seen as Alan Hoffman in the 2023 run of Prodigal Son in Elgin. He is delighted to reprise that role for the 2025 Chicago run. John was also seen as M. Bouc in the Overshadowed production of Murder On The Orient Express, Jordan Starkweather in the BPD production of Murder’s in the Heir, Jerry/Mr. Syme in Independent Players production of The Outsiders and as Rusty Charlie in Harper College’s Guys & Dolls, among other roles. John’s passion for acting can be placed directly on the shoulders of his son, Liam, who has absolutely destroyed his life and has given him something so very much better.
Maggie Kelly – (Louise Schmitt) is thrilled to be playing Louise Schmitt in Prodigal Son. She is grateful to the directing team for the opportunity and to the playwright for such a beautifully written script. Previously she had the distinct pleasure of directing several plays at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. She received her degree in Theatre from Northwestern University and studied improv at the Annoyance Theatre and Second City. Maggie thanks her friends and family for their support, especially her daughters, Kathleen and Julia, who inspire her every day.
Liam Pietrzyk – (Austin Schmitt) is most known for his role as Ponyboy in the Jonathan James production of The Outsiders (Athenaeum Center). Away from the Chicago world, Liam is also known for assisting in set production, and acting at Schaumburg On Stage. His most recent credit with Schaumburg On Stage was Marius in Les Miserables School Edition. Liam has been recognized by Playbill and Broadway World Chicago for his acting. He hopes you have a wonderful time at the Athenaeum and enjoy the show!
Brayden Cervantes – (Jim Quinn u/s) is ecstatic to be playing Jim Quinn in Prodigal Son! This is his first show with JK Entertainment, but he was previously seen as Hades in Hadestown Teen Edition (The Lodge Performing Arts Center) and Javert in Les Miserables School Edition (Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts). He was also Albus Potter in his high school's performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Brayden thanks his incredible directors and staff for this wonderful opportunity and his family and friends for always supporting him.
Jonathan C. Legat – (Carl Schmitt u/s) is ecstatic to be in his first JK Entertainment production. Recent Credits: Spring Awakening as Adult Man (Jon is not actually an adult man he just plays one on stage) with Point2Productions, King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar (The Lodge Performing Arts Center), Nicely Nicely Johnson in Harper College's Guys & Dolls, as well as Baker in DTPD's Into the Woods and Captain Von Trapp in DTPD's Sound of Music - Thank You Tricia for being my biggest fan, support system, and most magnanimous partner. Keep an eye on him at https://www.breakalegat.com and/or check out his Holiday's LED Light Show https://www.gaslightlightshow.com
Jerod Howard – (Alan Hoffman u/s) is delighted to join the cast of Prodigal Son at the Athenaeum Theatre. Recently, Jerod performed with the Civic Theatre for The Haunting of Hill House as Arthur Parker and the Sprague Theater in Reefer Madness: the Musical as the Lecturer. His regional theater credits include The Benchmark (Mark); The Shawshank Redemption (Rooster); As You Like It (Jaques); and Killers (Husband) for the Jack Benny Center for the Arts. Jerod made his Chicago debut at the Preston Bradley Center in Pulp Fiction (Lance) for Azusa Productions. He is a former student of the Actors Studio and Second City of Chicago. A proud member of SAG/AFTRA, Jerod's other credits and information are available online.
Staci Kelley – (Louise Schmitt u/s) is an actress, singer, and director who has performed in and directed many productions in the Chicago area. Favorite shows/roles include 9 to 5 (Roz), The Shadow Box (Maggie), Urinetown (Ma Strong & Mrs. Millenium), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Quince), Company (April), And The World Goes ‘Round, Godspell, The Taming of the Shrew (Katherine), Anything Goes (Erma), Nunsense (Sr. Robert Anne), and Born Yesterday (Billie). Staci is also a member of Chicago Cabaret Professionals and has appeared in several cabarets and open mics. She is excited to be a part of Prodigal Son! Love to her favorite leading man, Scott, and to her son, Carson.
Michael Rodriguez – (Austin Schmitt u/s) is ecstatic to join JK Entertainment’s cast of Prodigal Son. Recently, he performed with the Raue Center for the Arts for Static: Noise of a New Musical as Katahdin. More credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye); Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Stepmother); and Mame (Older Patrick). Michael thanks his wonderful directors and team for this opportunity, as well as his friends and family for all the support.