Oil Lamp Theater, which recently opened the Oil Lamp Theater’s SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts, is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production, The Marvelous Wonderettes, written and created by Roger Bean, with musical arrangements by Brian William Baker, orchestrations by Michael Borth, vocal arrangements by Roger Bean and Brian William Baker. The production runs June 6 - June 29, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road. The Marvelous Wondrettes is directed by Lauren Katz, music directed by Aaron Kahn and choreographed by Dominique Ruffaloer. The schedule includes a preview performance Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. with the opening/press performance Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.,Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances June 11 and 25 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be an understudy performance on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $30 for previews and $55 for the run at OilLampTheater.org.
Bounce back to the fabulous '50s and '60s with a toe-tapping trip down memory lane. The Marvelous Wonderettes takes you into the world of four high school songstresses as they light up the stage with iconic hits like "Mr. Sandman," "It’s My Party" and "Respect." Delivering a night of harmony, hijinks and heartfelt memories, the four Wonderettes navigate the ups and downs of prom night and beyond.
The cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes includes Trillium Falotico (she/her, Cindy Lou); Aneesah Jemei (she/her, Suzy); Hannah Kipp (she/her, Betty Jean); Jennifer Ledesma (she/her, Missy); Julia Limoncelli (she/her, US Cindy Lou); Kristin Weed (she/her, US Suzy); Charlotte Jaffe (she/her, US Betty Jean) and Lucy Economos (she/her, US Missy).
The production team includes Lauren Katz (she/her, director); Aaron Kahn (he/him, music director); Dominique Ruffalo (she/her, choreographer); Brenden Delcorio (he/him, stage manager); Alex Chen (he/him, asst. stage manager); Trent Jones (he/him, scenic designer); Rose Leisner (she/her, properties designer); Janelle Smith (they/she; costume designer); Daniel Friedman (he/him, lighting designer); Alex Trinh (he/him, sound designer) and Greg Korak (he/him, technical director).
ABOUT LAUREN KATZ, director
Lauren Katz is thrilled to be back directing at Oil Lamp. Favorite directing credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Women of 4G (Babes With Blades Theatre), The Prom (Highland Park Players), Mary's Wedding (Oil Lamp Theater), Tick, Tick… Boom and A Grand Night for Singing (Dunes Summer Theatre), Grease and Legally Blonde the Musical (Beverly Theatre Guild), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (Strawdog Theatre) and This is a Chair (Haven Theatre). Other collaborations include: About Face Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Theater Wit, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Victory Gardens Theatre, Redtwist Theatre and Writers Theatre. Katz is the education + engagement producer at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
ABOUT AARON KAHN, music director
Aaron Kahn is thrilled to be joining the Oil Lamp Theater! Kahn is a music director and vocal coach around the Chicagoland area. Currently, Kahn is pursuing a masters of musical theater vocal pedagogy at Carthage College and teaches voice lessons at the Christopher Laughlin School of Music in Northbrook. Previous music and assistant music direction credits include: Spongebob the Musical (Stagedoor Manor), Little Night Music (Theo), Mel Brooks’ The Producers (Music Theater Works), Cowboy Joe (iO Theater) and The Lightning Thief (Stagedoor Manor).
ABOUT DOMINIQUE RUFFALO, choreographer
Dominique Ruffalo is an actress and choreographer from North Aurora. She holds a BFA in musical theatre from the University of Arizona. A passionate teacher and storyteller, her choreography spans studio dance, musical theatre and film. Recent credits include The Prom at Highland Park Players and Guys and Dolls, Bring It On, and White Christmas at Arts Express Theatre.
MORE FROM FROM OIL LAMP THEATER
August 14 - September 7
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Additional Music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne
Continuity by Ned Sherrin
Directed by Christina Ramirez
Music Directed by Amy Branahl
Preview Performance: Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Friday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances August 20 at 3 p.m., August 27 at 7:30 p.m. and September 3 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The life and works of the late, great Stephen Sondheim are celebrated in the Tony Award-winning Side By Side By Sondheim. This musical revue offers a captivating journey through the wit and brilliance of one of Broadway’s greatest musical storytellers and features songs from Gypsy, Company, West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Follies and others.
October 2 - 26
By Patrick Hamilton
Directed by Susan Gorman
Preview Performance:Thursday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances October 8 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., October 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Audiences are invited to step into the suspenseful world of Gaslight (Angel Street), where secrets lurk in the shadows and reality blurs with deception. When Bella begins to suspect that the flickering lights and missing objects in her home aren’t just in her imagination, her world unravels into a chilling game of manipulation and control. Suspenseful, haunting and unforgettable, this is the classic mystery that inspired the 1944 Academy Award-winning film starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten and Angela Lansbury, in her film debut, defined a genre and inspired the term “gaslighting.”
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER’S SPARK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Oil Lamp Theater recently opened the Oil Lamp Theater’s SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts, 1009 Waukegan Rd. The SPARK CENTER spans 2,750 square feet, featuring two spacious studios for classes and dedicated office spaces for Oil Lamp staff. The SPARK CENTER enables the expansion of Oil Lamp’s arts education programs led by top Chicagoland theater professionals for all ages and skill levels. These same studios serve as the creative center where Oil Lamp’s productions come to life as it is also a rehearsal space for Oil Lamp Theater productions taking place across the street at 1723 Glenview Road.
The inaugural offerings of the SPARK CENTER include Summer Camps and Youth and Adult Education classes. For more information on the SPARK CENTER, go to OilLampTheater.org/spark-center.
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER
Oil Lamp Theater is an award-winning 60-seat storefront theater located in the heart of downtown Glenview. Keith Gerth founded the theater in February 2005, originally staging 20 productions for up to thirty-five friends and guests at night in his condo in Chicago. In March 2012, the organization was incorporated as a nonprofit and established a new location in downtown Glenview, fitted with warm décor and comfortable seating, reminiscent of a home. Oil Lamp produced 53 shows over the next seven years, reaching 10,000+ patrons per year and earning “Best Live Theater in the North Shore'' for four consecutive years. At the start of 2020, Keith Gerth retired, and shortly after, the pandemic began. Despite these major changes, Oil Lamp sprung into action and organized a drive-in for a fully-produced solo show, hosted outdoor concerts and built an outdoor venue for two full productions. Seeing the impact this made and the ability to conquer any challenge, Oil Lamp returned to indoor programming with a renewed vision. Oil Lamp now produces a dynamic Main Stage Season, Speak Easy Nights, a Women on Wednesdays series and continues investing in its connection with the community.
Oil Lamp Theater, which recently opened the Oil Lamp Theater’s SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts, is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production, The Marvelous Wonderettes, written and created by Roger Bean, with musical arrangements by Brian William Baker, orchestrations by Michael Borth, vocal arrangements by Roger Bean and Brian William Baker. The production runs June 6 - June 29, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road. The Marvelous Wondrettes is directed by Lauren Katz, music directed by Aaron Kahn and choreographed by Dominique Ruffalo. with a preview performance Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. The opening/press performance is Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.,Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances June 11 and 25 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be an understudy performance on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are on sale now for $30 for previews and $55 for the run at OilLampTheater.org.
