Press Release
March 23, 2007
THE HUMAN SPIRIT SOARS FROM THE DEPTHS
THE ELEPHANT MAN
At Village Players Theatre
April 27 to May 20, 2007
THE ELEPHANT MAN is the true and touching story of John Merrick, who was born during Britain’s Victorian era with a hideously deformed body and yet the soul of a remarkably sensitive and intelligent human being. In a time which placed great value on beauty, the grotesque Merrick is shown first scorned and then exploited by a freak show and by the hospital that becomes his refuge. A famous actress, attempting to foster the beauty she finds in Merrick’s spirit, sees her efforts of kindness continually thwarted by the hypocrisy of the time. Anthony Tournis plays the endearing Merrick with Ray Kasper as Dr. Treves, the talented surgeon who befriends him, and Denise Blank as Mrs. Kendall, the lovely actress who embraces him. The cast is rounded out with Tim Amos, Paulette Cary, Eric Clements, David Gilbert, Amy Kasper, Derek Meyer, Betty Scott Smith and Denise Smularek. The play is directed by Village Players company member Doug Long.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 and Sundays at 3:00, April 29th through May 20th. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. There is an additional matinee performance at 1:00 on Wednesday, May 2nd, with all tickets selling for $17. Two preview performances on April 27th and 28th at 8:00 are offered at $12 per ticket. Reservations can be made by phone at Village Players new hotline 866-764-1010 or at the box office or online by visiting www.village-players.org.
Village Players resides at 1010 West Madison Avenue in Oak Park.
Following The Elephant Man on June 8th, Village Players will return to its Classical Vocal Series with Madama Butterfly on the Mainstage and on June 1st Lee Blessing’s A Walk in the Woods reopens Village Player’s newly expanded Play Ground directed by VPT company member Scott Lee Heckman.
About the Company
Founded in 1961, Village Players Theatre is the western suburbs’ longest running theater company, and one of the oldest companies in the greater Chicagoland area. Now in its 46th season, Village Payers is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the West Suburban Theatre Connection.
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