Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Illinois Theatre Center of Park Forest opens its 35th season on Friday, September 24 with Eugene O’Neill’s drama ANNA CHRISTIE. This true American Classic runs through Sunday, October 10.
ANNA CHRISTIE tells the tale of Swedish-born Anna, who grew up in Minnesota with her late mother’s family, and has now come to New York to reunite with her father Chris Christopherson, a barge captain who abandoned her as a child. Aboard the boat, she falls in love with Matt Burke, a rugged sailor. When Chris objects to the romance, Anna is forced to reveal the sordid details of her past.
The play won Eugene O’Neill the second of his four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama in 1922. His other Pulitzer winners were BEYOND THE HORIZON (1920), STRANGE INTERLUDE (1928), and A LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (1957). Other popular hits among his dozens of plays include DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS, AH WILDERNESS, THE ICEMAN COMETH, and A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN.
The ITC cast features Tori Buckley in the title role. Tori made her ITC debut as a pre-teen in 2004’s THE INNOCENTS, and returns for her first "adult" role. Scott Lynch-Giddings, previously seen at ITC in MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS and THE COUNTRY GIRL, plays her father, Chris. Ernest Ray, featured in last season’s ARCHY AND MEHITABEL, plays Matt. Completing the cast are ITC veterans Jean Roberts, Don Tieri and David Boettcher. The production is directed by Etel Billig.
ANNA CHRISTIE runs from September 24 through October 10. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, and Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $22 on Fri. & Sat., $20 at all other times, with a $1 discount for students & seniors. The Illinois Theatre Center is located in Downtown Park Forest at 371 Artists’ Walk (off Indianwood Blvd., adjacent to Village Hall). For tickets, call (708) 481-3510.
