Evening performances begin at 8 P.M. Sunday matinees begin 2:30 P.M. In addition to the two Saturday evening performances, there are 4 P.M. matinees on July 19 and July 26. Tickets are $12 for adults and $11 for seniors and students. Tickets are $10 for groups of 15 or more, a savings of more than 10 percent off the original ticket price.

The production is recommended for all audiences and advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Tickets are non refundable. For more information, contact the Philip Lynch Theatre box office by calling (815) 836-5500 or by e-mail boxoffice@lewisu.edu. The Philip Lynch Theatre is located on the main campus of Lewis University on Route 53 in Romeoville.

Based on Disney's Emmy Award-winning TV movie and adapted for the stage by David Simpatico, "Disney's High School Musical" transports audiences to East High and into the story of two teenagers: Troy, super-popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella, super-smart transfer student. Together they try to navigate the tricky currents of peer pressure as they follow their dreams and score the leads in the school's musical. But the school's reigning musical diva, Sharpay connives to schedule the callbacks for the same time as Troy's big game and Gabriella's scholastic decathlon, the whole school works together to find a way to let Troy and Gabriella shine on stage.

Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre Manager Jo Slowik directs the cast of 25 talented performers. Recent Lewis graduate Jason Aguirre is choreographing the exuberant dances. Wilmington High School Choir Director, Nancy Cardwell serves as the vocal director rehearsing the cast in the pop style singing for her first PLT production. The company will be tackling favorites from the movie like "Get'cha Head in the Game," "Start of Something New," and "We're All In This Together," as well as two new songs for the stage adaptation, "Counting On You," and "Cellular Fusion."

PLT's resident costumer Celeste Mackey is designing the contemporary costumes and co-coordinating some terrific ensemble outfits for the cliques of jocks, brainiacs and thespians. Lewis alumnus, Andrew Nelsen is the musical's scenic and lighting designer. The set incorporates many imaginative, expertly crafted pieces including two rotating staircases. The amazing engineering marvel will transform into various locations: a classroom, a gym, a theatre, and East High hallways complete with working lockers.

Fourth year Lewis University Theater major Amanda-Claire Gray is the stage manager. Lewis University Theater majors Melissa Robinson and Caitlin Sullivan will operate the sound and wireless microphone system respectively. Third year theatre major Jillian Tschetter is serving as the production properties master.

The show boasts a talented local cast for a PLT production. "Disney's High School Musical" stars Courtney Petro as Gabriella Montez; Joe Witek as Troy Bolton; Jillian Kelm as Sharpay Evans; John Reidy as Ryan Evans; Afia Wilson as Taylor McKessie; LaRon Grant as Chad Danforth; Aubrey Malito as Martha Cox; Chad Tallon as Zeke Baylor; Sarah Gibbons as Ms. Darbus; Ernest W. Ray as Coach Bolton; Alison Smith as Kelsi Nielson; and Jason Aguirre as Jack Scott, the nerdy East High P.A. announcer a new character to the stage adaptation.

PLT's version of East High is populated with a large ensemble, many of whom play multiple roles of jocks, brainiacs, thespians, skater dudes, and cheerleaders. Ensemble members include: Steffanee Beckley, Barry Despenza, Colin Gort, Brittany Guzman, Mary Hostart, Russell Johnson, Adam Milnes, Martin Moran, Tanicia Rouse-Nelson, Ann Svane, Tim Tholl, Jillian Tschetter, and Laura Wisniewski.

The music is adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle. Songs are by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil; Ray Cham, Greg Cham and Andrew Seeley; Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn; Andy Dodd and Adam Watts; Bryan Louiselle; David N. Lawrence and Faye Greenberg; and Jaime Houston. It is based on the Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini.

The PLT will combine creativity and talent to make "Disney's High School Musical" a must-see for every fan of the movie and theatergoer alike. So "get'cha head in the game" and call the Philip Lynch Theatre box office today (815) 836-5500 to get your Wildcat tickets. Don't wait to hear the words, "Sold out!"

“Discover New Worlds . . . Break Free from the Ordinary!” is the theme for the ’08-’09 theatre season at Lewis University’s Philip Lynch Theatre. The five main stage shows include: the smash hit, “Disney’s High School Musical;” the romantic comedy, “Sylvia;” the fresh, beautiful, and relevant, “Metamorphoses;” a contemporary drama, “Doubt, a Parable;” and the moving comedy, “Hollywood Arms.”

Season subscribers receive one ticket to each of the five plays for $44, the equivalent of one play free. Subscribers receive first choice of seating, five issues of the theatre’s newletter, Offstage, advance notice of special events, and guaranteed seats for each production.

For subscription information, contact the Philip Lynch Theatre box office by emailing, boxoffice@lewisu.edu or by calling (815) 836-5500. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1P.M. to 4:30 P.M. The Philip Lynch Theatre is located on the main campus of Lewis University on Route 53 in Romeoville.

Single tickets to the musical “Disney’s High School Musical” are $12 for adults and $11 for student and senior citizens. For groups of 15 or more, tickets are 10 percent off the regular price.

The best-selling soundtrack album of 2006, “Disney’s High School Musical” will be performed on July 18–20 and July 23–27. The contemporary musical is about popular high school basketball star, Troy, and a shy, academically gifted newcomer, Gabriella, who discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign-up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High’s social order and sends their peers into an uproar. However, by defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, Troy and Gabriella inspire other students to go public with some hidden talents of their own.

Chicago award-winning guest artist, Greg Kolack, will direct the production of “Sylvia” by A.R. Gurney. The production will be performed on September 16–28 and October 2–5. “Sylvia” is a modern romantic comedy bout a marriage and a dog. Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child rearing in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career as a public school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park, or that has found him, bearing only the name, “Sylvia” on her nametag. Played by an actor, Sylvia is a street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, and becomes a major bone of connection between husband and wife.

In 2002, the New York Times called the play “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman the “theater event of the year.” The production will be performed November 14–16 and November 20–23. Greek myths, which were told before Ovid recorded them during the reign of Caesar, come to life in this fresh, beautiful, and relevant show. A father’s greed changes a girl into a golden statue; a boy’s self-obsession transposes his humanity into a blooming narcissus; a son tells his father how the other kids don’t believe he is the son of the Sun. To prove it, he wants to drive Daddy’s car, just once.

“Doubt, a Parable,” by John Patrick Shanley, will be performed on February 13–15 and February 19–22. Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, the play is set in 1964 but could not be more timely. In ninety fast moving minutes, the play unfolds in a series of scenes punctuated by two sermons delivered by the young Father Flynn to his congregation on the subjects of doubt and gossip. Father Flynn tends to personalize everything which is exactly what annoys Sister Aloysius, the righteous nun who is certain that Father Flynn represents a danger to the boys at the junior high school which she rules with an iron fist. “Doubt” addresses issues of great meaning to many: faith, truthfulness, and determination to do what’s right at any cost. It’s not and open shut case of being beyond a shadow of a doubt.

“Hollywood Arms” by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett, will be performed on April 17–19 and April 23–26. Carol Burnett co-wrote the play with her daughter, Carrie Hamilton, which is based on Burnett’s 1986 memoir, “One More Time.” Set in California in 1941 and 1951, “Hollywood Arms” is the funny and moving story of three generations of women living on welfare in a one-room apartment, on block north of Hollywood Boulevard. The cast of characters including a tough, funny, yet tender pill-popping Christian scientist grandmother; a beautiful wide-eyed and distant mother who is struggling to be a writer, only to drown her ambitions in a bottle; a loving but absent and alcoholic father; and a young girl whose only escape is up on the roof of their rundown apartment house where she creates her own magical world at the foot of the Hollywood Hills.

Become a season subscriber or purchase your single tickets for any of the five exciting shows before performances today. Don’t wait to hear the words “sold out.” Contact the theatre box office by email, boxoffice@lewisu.edu or call at (815) 836-5500 for season tickets.

On January 23, Lewis University President Br. James Gaffney, FSC hosted a gourmet dinner where two magnificent watercolor portraits of professors emeriti Chet Kondratowicz and Bob Sullivan were unveiled.

Celebrating their significant contributions to Lewis University and to the theatre program, the portraits were created and generously donated by the artistic talents of Bill Bartelt ‘70.

In attendance at the dinner that nourished our bodies and spirits were: the artist Bill Bartelt ‘70, professor emeritus Chet Kondratowicz, Gene Gentili ‘71, John Lordan ‘72 and his wife Nancy, Br. Konrad Diebold, Lewis theatre professors Keith White ‘77 and Harold McCay, and PLT manager Jo Slowik ‘88.

Congratulations to Barbara Eberhard for her appointment to the Lewis University Cultural Advisory Board. The Board is composed of prominent and very active persons in the community who have a keen interest in cultural enrichment and a willingness to promote the performing arts.

Bravo! Barbara is pictured here (left) with her husband, Steve and her mother, Joanne Porazinski.

Receiving her diploma at the December Commencement Ceremony was Theatre major, Kelly Carevic.

PLT Debut: The Tempest ‘04
PLT Curtain Call: Over the Tavern ‘06