LEWIS UNIVERSITY LOOKS TO THE SKY WITH "THE LIFE OF GALILEO"

Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre (PLT) presents the epic drama "The Life of Galileo" on Nov. 13-15 and Nov.19-22. Evening performances begin at 8 P.M, while Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 P.M. In addition to the Saturday evening performances, there will be a 4 P.M. Saturday matinee performance on November 21. Tickets are $10 for adults and $9 dollars for seniors and students. Tickets are $8 for groups of fifteen or more, a savings of more than 10 percent off the original ticket price.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo's analysis of the heavens with his telescopes. Filled with powerful ideas, the play brings to light the difficult choices in moral and social responsibilities. The play could not be timelier. Set in the Age of Reason, it chronicles Galileo's (Ernest W. Ray of Joliet) discoveries, teachings and experiments.

It explores the conflict surrounding his scientific theory of how the earth revolves around the sun. In the play, Galileo's experiments are conducted with his young servant and apprentice Andrea (Caitlin Sullivan of Tinley Park) and his colleague Federzoni (Melle Robison of Amboy IL.) The conflict between science and the views of the church are juxtaposed in Galileo's friendship with a little monk (Kevin Kaucher of Chicago).

The character of Galileo is one of Brecht's greatest creations, immensely human and complex. Unable to resist his appetite for scientific investigation, Galileo's heretical discoveries about the solar system bring him to the attention of the Cardinal Inquisitor (Casey McKenzie.) He is scared into publicly denouncing his theories, and yet goes on working in private. Eventually his students smuggle his writings out of the country.

Lewis University's Harold McCay of Joliet designs the set and directs the play of 21 actors. Other members of the production staff include: Celeste Mackey (costume design), Andrew Nelsen (lighting design) both of Joliet, and Tyler Harpster of Downers Grove (sound design.) . Katie Sisto of Orland Park (properties), Monisa Victrum of Joliet (stage manager) and Heather Reedy of Manhattan (assistant stage manager).

Members of the cast include: Abigail Zwinklis and Amanda-Claire Lowe both of Woodridge, Luke Pascale and Melissa Young both of Plainfield, Laura Wisniewski of Chicago, Sean Barber of Aurora, Courtney Everett of Palos Park, Devon Ford of Joliet, Jamar Freeman of Dolton, Michael Friar of Tinley Park, Chris Hueg of Roseville, MN, Timothy S. Karkowski of Lombard, Saul Ortega of Bolingbrook, Mary Pierson of Lockport, and Jackie Staszak of Braidwood.

The running time of the production is approximately 2 hours and is recommended for patrons 13 years old and up. Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Tickets are non-refundable. For more information, call the PLT box office at (815) 836-5500, Monday thru Friday from 1 - 4:30 P.M. For more information, patrons can check out the PLT Web site www.lewisu.edu/plt or by e-mailing the box office at boxoffice@lewisu.edu. The Philip Lynch Theatre is located on the main campus of Lewis University on Route 53 in Romeoville.

Winner of 2001 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, PROOF explores the unknown capability of love as much as it does the mysteries of mathematics. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem to solve. How much of her father’s madness – or genius – will she inherit? All four characters, whether loving, hating, encouraging or impeding one another, are intensely alive, complex, funny, and human.

“...A COMPELLING EVENING OF THEATRE...SMART AND COMPASSIONATE...” – N.Y. Daily News
FEB. 12-14 & FEB. 18-21 Single tickets $10 (on sale June 22)
Directed by Kevin Trudeau Recommended for ages 13 and up

“I can see that you’ve quite a mind for your age!
Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage!
Now, I’m here, there is not telling what may ensue
With a Cat such as me, and a Thinker like you!”

So says the mischievous Cat in the Hat at the onset of the fantastical, magica, musical extravaganza! Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and all the Whos in Whoville! Songs about the power of the imagination and determination include: “Oh The Thinks You Can Think,” “It’s Possible,” “How Lucky You Are,” and many more “if you open your mind, oh, the thinks you will find!”



APRIL 16-18 & APRIL 22-25 Single tickets $12 (on sale June 22)
Directed by Keith White Recommended for all ages