Chicagoland’s Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles, IL will be presenting a special limited engagement fundraiser of A.R. Gurney’s romantic masterpiece LOVE LETTERS for six performances only: February 23, 24, 25 and March 1, 2, 3.
The production will star award-winning actor Rikki Lee Travolta and celebrated Chicago actress Deborah Swinford under the direction of Heartstrings Award- winning director Regina Belt-Daniels.
Travolta has been a Chicago favorite since coming to the city to star in “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” turning it into one of the city’s biggest hits. He has gone on to a successful career spanning theatre, film, television, music, and literature. As a national theatrical headliner, Travolta is known for selling out theatres in such productions as “West Side Story,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” and “Rent.” His rich film career includes work with Academy Award winner Ron Howard and a 2023 Best Actor Award from the Midwest Film Festival for his role in “The Sleight.”
Swinford is a Shakespearean-trained actress whose credits range from heavy drama to riotous comedies. She co-starred with Travolta in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in the 1990s, resulting in rave reviews and a lifelong friendship. “Love Letters” marks the pair’s first onstage pairing since the Tennessee Williams classic.
Director Belt-Daniels (pictured) won the 2022 Heartstrings Award for her helming of “I Hate Hamlet” – which starred Travolta as a haplessly untalented TV heartthrob signed to play Hamlet. Travolta also previously worked with Belt-Daniels on “Mornings at Seven.”
“'Love Letters' is definitely a play that touches the heart,” says Belt-Daniels. “And what better way to cap off the romantic nature of this time of year as well as raise money to keep the performing arts alive at Steel Beam?”
Celebrated scenic artist Barry Norton is painting a one-of-a-kind mural to be featured in Steel Beam Theatre's “Love Letters” fundraiser.
Steel Beam Theatre has been providing quality professional theatre to Chicago’s Western suburbs since 1999. The theatre has served as the launching point for many of the city’s top actors. The group has won numerous awards under artistic director Marge Uhlarik-Boller – but is now in crisis.
Together, with managing director Catie Early, Uhlarik-Boller guided the theatre through surviving the COVID-19 shutdown. However, a governmental agency's processing error is delaying grants for Steel Beam, as well as other theatres, leaving the theatre in dire circumstances.
“Steel Beam Theatre needs a little extra love and tenderness right now in the form of financial support, and seeing a top-tier production of one of modern time’s best romantic scripts being performed by two of the area’s premier talents is one way people can do that,” explains Early.
“The performing arts are an incredibly important part of our society. It is my honor and privilege to help Steel Beam Theatre continue in its mission to provide thought-provoking theatre that touches the heart,” says Travolta. “We’re doing six performances of 'Love Letters' to raise money for Steel Beam Theatre. Let’s make sure all six shows are completely sold out.”
Recognizing the importance of Steel Beam Theatre’s contributions, a number of sponsors have stepped up to help produce the fundraiser including Poster Sponsor Kimmer’s Ice Cream and Men’s Formal Wear Sponsor Generation Tux.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for companies, foundations, and individuals looking to help keep Steel Beam in operation. A full list of sponsorship opportunities is available at: https://wp.me/P9uGNq-1pu
To donate or pledge a sponsorship go to: https://steelbeamtheatre.thundertix.com/campaigns/2530
To book tickets for Rikki Lee Travolta and Deborah Swinford in LOVE LETTERS to benefit Steel Beam Theatre in its time of need visit https://steelbeamtheatre.thundertix.com/events/223766.
Steel Beam Theatre is located at 111 W. Main Street in beautiful St. Charles, IL.
LOVE LETTERS
By A.R. Gurney
Directed by Regina Belt-Daniels
February 23 - March 3
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm
Steel Beam Theatre
111 W. Main Street, St. Charles , IL 60176
630-587-8521
Tickets $22 - $28, available at https://steelbeamtheatre.thundertix.com/events/223766.
Regarded as one of the most heart-touching plays in modern theatre, LOVE LETTERS by A.R. Gurney is the perfect touch of romance for this time of year. This special LIMITED ENGAGEMENT FUNDRAISER stars national theatrical headliner and award-winning film star Rikki Lee Travolta and celebrated Chicago actress Deborah Swinford under the direction of Heartstrings Award-winner Regina Belt-Daniels with scenic design by renowned artist Barry Norton. The Pulitzer Prize finalist play presents soulful interpretations of a lifetime’s worth of love letters between two entwined souls – beginning when they were just children and culminating at the end of their lives. You will be touched. You will be moved. You will be enlightened. February 23, 24, 25 and March 1, 2, and 3.