Those Chicagoans seeking one last taste of summer can revel in Chase Park’s fall theater production, “Summer Brave,” running Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m., and one Sunday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m., in the park’s auditorium, 4701 N. Ashland Ave. Many know the 1962 romantic comedy as William Inge’s rewritten and “more humorously true” version of his 1953 Pulitzer Prize winning screenplay, “Picnic.”
“Summer Brave” tackles the human experience, such as growing up and the recklessness of youth, as well as the acceptance of fate and life’s eventual passage.
Karen Fort, director for the production and drama instructor for the Chicago Park District, told Inside that among the cast members are a high school student from Lane Tech, Javier Massenet, who plays Beano, and a UIC student, Samantha Figura, who plays Madge. Joanna Gutman takes the role of Mrs. Potts and Bill Brennan is Howard. New to Chicago, Mary Beth Cooper plays the mother Flo, and an eighth grader from St. Clement’s School, Christina Lepri, plays Millie. Matt Freitas performs as Hal.
Terry Spencer Hesser, who just won an Emmy last week for film writing, is playing Erma, and her sister Leslie Mayer is playing Christine. Zack Welsheimer, who’s performed for the prestigious Actors Theater of Louisville, can be seen as Alan, and Alexandra Bennett plays Rosemary, the elderly spinster pressuring her bachelor friend Hal into marriage.
Volunteers handle sound, lighting, set production and costume design. The crew includes Sara Tauer, Tony Adams, Naomi Buck and Keith Fort.
Tickets are $8 and may be reserved by calling (312) 742-4701 or purchased at Chase Park one hour before each performance.
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