'Rent,' 'Proof' On-Tap for College's 2012-13 Season

The Theatre Department’s 2012-13 season will include an adaptation of a classic C.S. Lewis children’s story, an 18th-century French comedy, a student showcase and two Pulitzer and Tony Award winners (a drama and a musical).

The college’s five productions and their performance dates are: “The Horse and His Boy,” Sept. 27-30; “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” Nov. 9-17; the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning play, “Proof” by David Auburn, March 1-9; Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase, April 19-27; and the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning musical, “Rent,” July 19-28.

Presented in the CLC James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, located at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, college shows feature talented CLC students as well as seasoned actors from the Lake County community. Audition dates for each production are listed below. Tickets go on sale Aug. 20.

Children’s Theatre Production: “The Horse and His Boy” by C.S. Lewis, adapted by Glyn Robbins, on Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m.; Friday, Sept. 28 at 10 a.m.; Saturday, Sept. 29 at 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts.

In this enthralling adaptation of one of the “Chronicles of Narnia,” horses can talk, adventure abounds and destiny awaits! To escape the clutches of the evil warlord Rabadash, the horse, Bree, and the boy, Shasta, run away together from the cruel land of Calormen. When they discover that Rabadash has plans to invade Narnia and neighboring Archenland, they must race ahead to warn the people of Narnia. Blending drama, fantasy and humor, “The Horse and His Boy” is a timeless tale about identity, friendship, loyalty and courage that is suitable for grades three and above.

“One of the reasons I chose this show was my childhood connection to ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’” said Thomas B. Mitchell, the show’s director. “I read them over and over again and would love to direct all of them in my lifetime.” CLC previously presented “The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe” and “The Magician’s Nephew.”

Tickets: $7 for individuals and $5 for school groups of six or more (in advance). Ticket price includes JLC $1 facility fee. For more information about group rates, call (847) 543-2431. For regular tickets, call the Box Office at (847) 543-2300. Auditions: Aug. 21 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. The director is casting up to 30 actors of all ages, from 8 to 60. Actors over age 14 should prepare a two-minute monologue that shows off their personality and stage presence. Actors under age 14 will be asked to read a short monologue at auditions. Scripts are available at the CLC Grayslake Library at the circulation desk for in-library viewing. For more information, contact Mitchell at (847) 543-2967 or tmitchell@clcillinois.edu.

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, directed by Craig Rich, on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, November 15-17 at 7:30 p.m.

In this acclaimed adaptation of the scandalous 18th-century French novel, two former lovers play a decadent game of intrigue and seduction. But what begins as an amorous amusement escalates into a brutal battle where love and sex become the weapons of war. In a world of dangerous liaisons, passions may burn hot, but revenge is a dish best served cold. “....An evening of high comedy, high drama and surprising passion,” wrote the New York Post.

Tickets: Regular $10; CLC/Senior/Teen/JLC Subscribers $8. Special ticket offer: Buy one, get one free on Nov. 9 and 15. Prices include $1 JLC facility fee. Auditions: Sept. 17 and 18 at 6:30 p.m., Studio Theatre (open to the community). For more information, contact Craig Rich at (847) 543-2567 or crich@clcillinois.edu.

“Proof” by David Auburn, directed by Scott Mullins, on Friday and Saturday, March 1 & 2, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 3 at 2 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, March 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, “Proof” tells the story of Catherine, who spent years caring for her mentally unstable father, once a brilliant mathematician. Now she must deal not only with his death, but with the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire, and with the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 cryptic notebooks her father left behind. As Catherine struggles with a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a particularly mysterious notebook, she is forced to confront the most difficult question of all: How much of her father’s genius—or madness—has she inherited? “Exhilarating…” says The New York Times.

Tickets: Regular $10; CLC/Senior/Teen/JLC Subscribers $8. Special ticket offer: Buy one, get one free on March 1 and 7. Prices include $1 JLC facility fee. Auditions: Dec. 3 and 4 at 6:30 p.m., Studio Theatre (open to the community). For more information, contact director Scott Mullins at smullins@clcillinois.edu.

Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase on Friday and Saturday, April 19-20 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, April 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Studio Theatre.

Play On! is a celebration of student creativity, talent and achievement. CLC students will showcase their abilities as actors, directors, stage managers, designers and technicians. Ideas for the showcase will be solicited this fall, and students will produce the work in the spring. It might be a full-length play, an evening of one-acts or even an original script – the students will decide!

Tickets: Regular: $10; CLC/Senior/Teen/JLC Subscribers: $8. Special ticket offer: Buy one, get one free on April 19 and 25. Auditions: Jan. 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m., Mainstage Theatre (CLC students only)

“Rent,” the 2013 summer musical, will be presented by the CLC departments of theatre, music and dance on Friday and Saturday, July 19-20 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, July 25-27 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, July 28 at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre. The show’s book, music and lyrics are by Jonathan Larson and the director is Thomas B. Mitchell.

Set in the East Village of New York City, “Rent” is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Rent” has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Based loosely on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” “Rent” follows a year in the life of a group of friends struggling to make it in the big city. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. “‘Rent’ is the best show in years, if not decades,” wrote Variety.

Tickets: Regular $16; CLC/Senior/Teen/JLC Subscribers $13. Special ticket offer: Buy one, get one free on July 19 and 25. Auditions: May 20 and 21 at 6:30 p.m., Studio Theatre (open to the community).

Ticket information:

Tickets go on sale Aug. 20 at the Box Office in the James Lumber Center on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St. and online. For more information, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance.

College theatre performances make excellent group outings, and groups of six or more people are eligible for discounted ticket prices. Call group sales at (847) 543-2431 or email JLCgroupsales@clcillinois.edu for more information.

To request sign language interpreting, please contact the Box Office two to three weeks in advance at (847) 543-2300.

To request a copy of the 2012-13 CLC cultural arts events brochure, which includes professional touring series as well as college-sponsored events such as music concerts, theatre and dance productions, films, art exhibits, literary events and more, call (847) 543-2300 or join the mailing list at www.clcillinois.edu/tickets.

6th Annual Box Office Sale Sept. 15

The James Lumber Center Box Office 6th Annual Sale will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. This free, family-friendly and fun event offers 10 percent discounted tickets to single Professional Touring Series shows, discounted rates on select college performances (patrons must purchase tickets in person), prizes, food, backstage tours, technical hands-on opportunities and video previews of the 2012-13 professional touring series and more.

- The College of Lake County provided this information.