Skokie Theatre Music Foundation Presents AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME, 4/3-4/7

The Skokie Theatre Music Foundation hosts James Still's And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank for the second year in a row. M. William Panek returns to direct the drama opening Apri 3, 2010 for a 5-performance run.

The Skokie Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Skokie at 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue at Oakton.

And Then They Came for Me is a unique theatrical experience: a multimedia play that combines videotaped interviews with Holocaust survivors Ed Silverberg and Eva Schloss with live actors recreating scenes from their lives during World War II. Part oral history, part dramatic action, part direct address, part remembrance, the ensemble-driven And Then They Came for Me breaks new ground and has been acclaimed by audiences and critics in world-wide productions.

After last year's sold out run, Panek has assembed a brand new production staff to help flesh out Still's vision of hope and survival. "Last year's experience was eye-opening to the kind of production we could achieve at the Skokie Theatre. The cast and tiny crew pulled together to create our show. This year, I have Chicagoland theatre professionals assisting me, illuminating and elevating Eva and Ed's stories beyond our means last year." And Then They Came For Me's performers interact with the taped footage of Eva and Ed, as well as perform live musical interludes throughout the piece.

The cast includes Jeanne T. Arrigo (Chicago) as Ed's Mother/Mutti, Danny Farber (Deerfield) as the Hitler Youth, Sam Johnston (Deerfield) as Heinz, Emily Shankman (St. Charles) as Anne Frank, Zev Steinberg (Chicago) as Young Ed, Ron Thomas (Chicago) as Ed's Father/Pappy, and returning from last year's production, Chelly Brodsky (Skokie), this time playing Young Eva.

The design team includes Kaitlyn Guerrieri (stage manager), Steph Charaska (sets), Dave Grier (lighting), Judy and Louis Schutz (producers), Leah Cox (dramaturg), and Nate Krempel (poster design).

Tickets are available online at www.skokietheatre.com or by calling 847-677-7761. Saturday, April 3, 2010 is the opening performance. The production runs through Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door for the weekend performances.

Saturday, April 3 - 8:00PM

Sunday, April 4 - 2:00PM

Sunday, April 4 - 7:00PM

Tickets are $15 for Skokie residents and $20 for non-residents for the weekday matinee.

Wednesday, April 7 - 1:30PM

 

About the Skokie Theatre Music Foundation

The Skokie Theatre, an art-deco beauty opened in 1912, had fallen into disrepair and been put up for sale. Where others saw a liability, the foundation saw an extraordinary opportunity: to create not just a dedicated space for foundation offices and seminars, but a performance facility for young artists, and a beacon for the local arts community. 

The theatre was purchased and the foundation board rolled up their sleeves. One board member, an architect, donated design and project-management services. Others donated their time and expertise in construction and renovations. Still others organized an extraordinary level of support from individuals and business throughout the community.

Today's theatre is truly a jewel in Skokie's downtown, its beautifully preserved historic exterior giving way to an intimate, contemporary and acoustically balanced performance space. It is a special place that all of Skokie can look on with pride.