Wheaton Drama

Wheaton Drama, Inc. (WDI) announces the cast for the next show in its 2018-2019 season, “Silent Laughter” by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore (“Love, Sex and the IRS,” “Confessions of a Dirty Blonde,” “The Senator Wore Pantyhose”).  An homage to the slapstick days of early silent movies, “Silent Laughter” is the story of Billy, a hapless schnook in New York, 1917.  Not just a retread of pie fights and pratfalls (although they are certainly present), “Silent Laughter”takes up the challenge of presenting death-defying Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin/Harold Lloyd style gags, with a bit of Laurel & Hardy and Musty Suffer.

“Silent Laughter” will run November 16 through December 9 at Wheaton Drama, 111 N. Hale Street, Wheaton, IL.  For reservations and information, go to www.WheatonDrama.org.

Director: Craig Gustafson  Production Manager: Elyse Willis.  Stunt Choreographer: Andrew Trygstad.

THE CAST

Billy (The Hero) – Jake Murphy

Ruth (The Heroine) – Mackenzie Grattan

Billy’s Pal (Billy’s Pal) – Peter Lemongelli

Lionel Drippinwithit (Billy’s Arch-Enemy) – Matt Hellyer

Sarge (Billy’s Nemesis) – Steve Schroeder

Max the Thug/Brewster Thickwad III/Maitre D’/Newsboy – Sage Brown

Max’s Dame/Lovestruck Woman/Office Girl/Cop/Prisoner/Recruiter/Old One-Armed Man/Enemy Soldier/Bridesmaid – Amanda Fisher

Man With Fruitcake/Lovestruck Man/Worker/Cop/Prisoner/Soldier – Dave Amato

Priest/Vendor/Janitor/Dowager/Butler/Old Bearded Man – Ken Kaden

Singing Waiter/Drunk/Fat Lady/ Worker/Cop/Prisoner/Soldier/Baker – Andy Kanturek

Wheaton Drama & director Maria Bakalis are pleased to announce the cast for the 2018-2019 season opener, Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA. The creative team would like to thank all those who auditioned & are looking forward to getting started on this magical journey!

Willy Wonka – Ben Dooley

Candy Man – Nathan Dittemore

Phineous Trout – Adrian Hernandez

Charlie Bucket – Vander England

Mrs. Bucket – Riley Tomes

Mr. Bucket – David Korzatkowski

Grandma Josephine – Amy Infanger

Grandma Georgina – Charmaine Jones

Grandpa George – James Wheeler

Grandpa Joe – Mike Boyna

Jamie – Isabelle Clark

Matilda – Ellie Struthers

Sophie – Amalia Pfenninger

Danny – Mahitha Kosaraju

Alfie – Charis Doebler

Billie – Jake Kelley

Stacy – Hannah Kelley

Augustus Gloop – Luke Grout

Mrs. Gloop – Christine Pfenninger

Veruca Salt – Gwendolynne Royle

Mr. Salt – Andy Kanturek

Mike Teavee – Nathan Arceo

Ms. Teavee – Abby Clark

Violet Beauregard – Ella Gosain

Mr. Beauregarde – John Vinopal

Oompa Loompas

Keely Meechem

Judah Clark

Isabella Starmach

Magnolia Dietkus-Minard

Brenden Kelley

Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA will run Sept 14 – Oct 7, 2018 at Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111. Tickets are available now!

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Director Pam Turlow proudly announces the cast for Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy “Company,” running May 25 to June 17.

The cast:

Bobby: Garrett Ard
Sarah: Claire Yearman
Harry: Rod Kelly
Susan: Erin Creighton
Peter: Mike Frale
Jenny: Morgan Dietkus
David: David Korzatkowski
Amy: Sara Malloy
Paul: Matt Whalen
Joanne: Christine Pfenninger
Larry: Dennis McGuire
Marta: Jessica Sheffield
Kathy: Rachel Carreras
April: Mary McCormack

Production manager is Leah Rae Witt. Musical director is Bryan McCaffrey. Choreographer is Katy Smith. Assistant director is Ben Dooley.

Director Mike Boyna proudly announces the cast of “A Piece of My Heart,” running March 23 through April 15.

In this powerful true drama, three nurses, a Red Cross volunteer, a USO entertainer, and an Army intelligence officer bare their souls and share their stories about the experience and aftermath of women’s service in Vietnam.

The cast comprises Wheaton Drama newcomers and veterans, as well as familiar faces returning to Playhouse 111:

Martha: Lisa Savegnago

MaryJo: Sara Cate Langham

Sissy: Leah Rae Witt

Whitney: Ellen Hill

Leeann: Johanna Medrano

Steele: Sierra Johnson

All the American Men: Garrett Ard

Please note: This production deals with adult themes, including raw language and depictions of violence, including sounds of gunfire and explosions.

Director Ben Dooley has announced the cast of Wheaton Drama’s 2017 holiday show, The Cinnamon Bear.

The whimsical fairy tale, running Dec. 14-17 at Playhouse 111 in downtown Wheaton, is an onstage re-creation of the perennial WGN radio serial, which marks its 80th anniversary this year.

In addition to our usual Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and Sunday matinee performances, a Saturday matinee has been added on Dec. 16 for this family favorite.

Our cast:
Announcer = Patrick Gallagher
Captain Taffy = Rich Bucchi
Crazy Quilt Dragon = Rob Reinalda
Grand Wunkey = Jim Martin
Jimmy = Luke Grout
Judy = Riley Tomes
Mother = Krystyn Wells
Nicky Froodle = Ali Martin
Paddy O’Cinnamon = Ben Dooley
Presto = Craig Gustafson
Professor Whiz/Jack Frost = Dave Amato
Queen Melissa = Leah Rae Witt
Roly Poly Policeman = Tom Ochocinski
Santa Claus = Stan Austin
Snapper Snick = Sean Thomas
Wintergreen Witch = Patti Shore Kaden