Noble Fool Theatricals 2011 Season to Feature THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG & More

Noble Fool Theatricals, the premier professional theater in the Fox Valley area, is proud to announce recent news and a new direction for their nonprofit organization. Beginning their calendar-year season in January 2011, Noble Fool will become Fox Valley Repertory; a name that represents the community they have grown their mission, vision, patron base, and academy students around.

"I assure you that you can still count on outstanding productions because we are not a new organization. Our staff is the same, dedicated team," says Artistic Director John Gawlik. "But after several years of growth, we simply wanted our name to represent the strong bond we have created with our patrons and community. We know this will help our patrons connect with our stories and begin referencing us as 'our theater' even more."

As the nonprofit theater company in residence at Pheasant Run Resort for the seventh year, "we are focused on creating an engaging theater experience by producing shows that inspire our community to laugh, reflect and reconnect to moments in one's life,"says Artistic Director John Gawlik. A major portion of their commitment is through arts education. With the most extensive offering of academy programs, they hope to continue to inspire youth to explore their own lives through the performing arts.

Their expanding vision includes a planned three-week Summer Arts Festival to be held each summer starting in 2011, which will give local artists and fellow arts organizations the opportunity to perform in several different venues in St. Charles. This will also include the area's first New Works Project, where a nationwide search will take place to premier staged readings.

Gawlik has programmed a season with some of the emerging directors in Chicago.

"To celebrate our new vision and name, we are offering the best subscription rates and benefits in the area," says Gawlik. "Our 4-show packages are heavily discounted at $65 and $80 per person. We're hoping the Fox Valley area will join us with this great introductory price. Our number of subscribers has grown tremendously in the last two years, and we hope this continues."

LEAVING IOWA
The Comedy About Family Vacations
January 20 - March 13, 2011
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm
Thursdays: January 20, 27, 8pm; February 3, 17 & March 10 @ 2pm

By Tim Clue and Spike Manton
Directed by Rachel Rockwell; named Chicago Magazine's Director of the Year (2010)

Middle-aged writer Don Browning is searching for the perfect spot to scatter his father's ashes. As he travels the paths his family took on their annual vacations, images of his father and the shared family tortures surround his memories. This homegrown comedy will have you revisiting your fond (and not-so-fond) memories of your youth.

ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE
'The Sweetest Musical This Side of Heaven'
March 24 - May 15, 2011
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm
Thursdays: March 24 & 31, 8pm; April 7, 21 & May 12, 2pm

Created by Ted Swindley
Directed by John Gawlik; director of The Gift's The Ruby Sunrise, named one of the Top Ten shows of 2009 by TimeOut Chicago Magazine

More than just a tribute to the late legendary country singer, this Off-Broadway musical recounts Cline's true friendship with a fan from Houston, whom she befriended at a Texas honky tonk and remained pen pals with until her early death. Complete with down home country humor and true emotion, this 1960s tribute includes many of Patsy' unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams and Waking After Midnight. Rating: PG

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
A Classic Adventure Comedy
June 9 - July 31, 2011
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm
Thursdays: June 9 & 16, 8pm; June 23, 30, 2pm
Special Note: Sat, July 16 show is at 4pm
Fri, July 15 & 29 shows are at 7:30pm
No performances on July 8 & 22

Written for the stage by Mark Brown, from the novel by Jules Verne
Directed by John Gawlik; director of The Gift's The Ruby Sunrise, named one of the Top Ten shows of 2009 by TimeOut Chicago Magazine

Based on Jules Verne's classic novel, join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg as he sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. It's a race against the clock as he contends stampeding elephants, raging typhoons, bandits, and a detective who thinks he's a robber on the run. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as five actors portray 39 characters in seven continents.

THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG
The Hit Broadway Comedy Musical
August 18 - October 9, 2011
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm
Thursdays: August 18 & 25, 8pm; September 1, 15, October 6, 2pm

Book by Neil Simon; Music by Marvin Hamlisch; Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager
Directed by Jonathan Berry, hailed as "one of Chicago's most talented young directors" by Chicago Tribune

When an award-winning, straight-laced composer teams up with a quirky, aspiring lyricist, it's far from a match made in musical heaven. But when an unexpected romance builds between them, they hilariously struggle to find harmony. Based on the real life love story of Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, Neil Simon's romantic musical will leave a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Rating: PG

FOX VALLEY REPERTORY'S SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
July 14 - 31, 2011

Fox Valley Repertory will host the inaugural Summer Arts Festival, which will showcase theater and the visual arts at Pheasant Run Resort and throughout the city of St. Charles. Details are still in the works, but these FVR performances are set. More information will be available at www.foxvalleyartsfestival.org

Appearing in Repertory

Around the World in 80 Days
A Classic Adventure Comedy
July 15 - 31, 2010

Bad Dates
A Woman's Quest for Love and the Perfect Pair of Shoes
July 7 - August 7, 2011

By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Kimberly Senior, one of Chicago's most acclaimed directors

If you like "Sex and the City" and Bridget Jones' Diary, you'll love this romantic one-woman comedy! Single mom and Texas transplant Haley Walker tries to balance the pressures of her new NYC restaurant career, raising a moody teenage daughter, and the too-close-for-comfort relationship with the Romanian mob, all while trying to find her way back into the dating scene...nothing that a great pair of shoes couldn't fix! Haley needs your shoulder to cry and laugh on as she shares her dating adventures with you.

Collider 2011: New Play Project
A new play program partnering local scientists and Fox Valley Repertory in developing new works that help us better understand the universe and who we are, while illuminating and celebrating the worlds of art, science and technology.

Big Bang Ten Minute Plays
World premier ten minute plays will be performed during the Fox Valley Rep Summer Arts Fest.

OTHER FOX VALLEY REPERTORY PRODUCTIONS

The Woman in Black
A Spine-Chilling Tale
October 14 - 30, 2011
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, Sundays @ 2pm
Thursday: October 27 @ 2pm
SpeciAl Halloween Eve Performance on Sunday, October 30 @ 7pm!

By Stephen Malatratt
Based on the novel by Susan Hill
A London lawyer hires an actor to help recount a story to family and friends that has long troubled him since he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. During the reenactment, you'll be gripping your seats with a chill down your spine as you experience the horror and terror of this haunting tale. We just hope you'll live to retell the tale of one of the longest-running suspense thrillers in history. Rating: PG-13

It's a Wonderful Life
A Live Radio Play
November 10 - December 24, 2011
Thursday & Friday @ 8pm, Saturday @ 4:30pm & 8pm, Sunday @2pm
Select Wednesdays @ 8pm

Inspired by Frank Capra's beloved American holiday classic, you'll become a part of a 1940s live broadcast as actors bring the fateful story of George Bailey to life. As a studio audience member, you'll relive the beloved tale of regret and redemption complete with classic holiday songs, a six member Children's choir, instruments, man-made sound effects, and live commercials.

Other Performances
In addition to these performances, Fox Valley Repertory will be producing five youth ensemble musical performances, four holiday productions, and presenting six live music events and four national comedy touring acts - together, totaling to 251 performances during the 2011 season.

Ticket Information
Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. Season subscriptions start at $65 for show only tickets (discounted dinner-show subscriptions also available) and are currently available by calling call the Box Office at 630-584-6342. Full priced single tickets for each production will go on sale at a later date. Additional information on the 2011 Season and Noble Fool Theatricals soon-to-be Fox Valley Repertory are available at www.noblefool.org or www.foxvalleyrep.org.