THE JAMES DOWNING THEATRE: 2011 I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

2012 You're A Good Man Charlie Brown

In this heart-warming musical based on Charles M. Schultz’s “Peanuts” comic strip, you will see Charlie Brown come to life with pals Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally, and Snoopy as they face the challenges of life, kites, and ball games. This is just an average day in the life of Charlie Brown as he tries to win the heart of the Little Red-Haired girl. Will they finally come to terms with what Happiness is?

2010 The Fantasticks

The musical, with book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, broke all records with a run of more than 41 years off-Broadway, between 1960 and 2002, and was revived almost immediately for Broadway. A timeless tale of young love, feuding families and the challenges of growing gardens and growing up, the show features a memorable score, from “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” to “Try to Remember.”

2009 Bang Bang You're Dead

The tool of drama has the power to lance, heal, and cleanse the soul. BANG BANG YOU’RE DEAD might not be the answer to gun violence by teenagers in our schools. But this play may lead to a discussion, an insight, a revelation that may lead to an answer. There is a hope that our awakened senses or heightened consciousness might see the tragedy before it happens. It is a slim hope, but it is all we have at this time.

2009 Arsenic and Old Lace- Photo Album

The enduring comedy classic, ARSENIC & OLD LACE is farcical genius. Poor Mortimer Brewster, a theatre-hating drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family and local police in Brooklyn, New York, while he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves. Meanwhile his sweet spinster aunts have taken to murdering lonely old men by poisoning them with a glass of home-made elderberry wine laced with arsenic, strychnine, and "just a pinch" of cyanide. Add a sweet brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt and another brother who’s not so nice and is running from the law with his alcoholic accomplice, Dr. Einstein, and you’ve got one unforgettable show!

2008 Forever Plaid- Photo Album

FOREVER PLAID centers on four young, eager male singers killed in a car crash in the 1950s on the way to their first big concert, and now miraculously revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was. Singing in the closest of harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision, the “Plaids” are a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that keeps audiences rolling in the aisles when they're not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the '50s, including Catch a Falling Star, Day-O, Sixteen Tons & Love is a Many Splendored Thing.

01/21/2011

The James Downing Theatre Presents: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2011

Press Contact: Anne Lunde jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com / (773) 631-1104

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, which opens February 19^th, 2011 at the James Downing Theatre, located in Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 North Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631, reinvigorates the classic musical comedy revue with a hilarious and tuneful joyride through the dizzying spectrum of modern male-female relationships. With four actors playing over forty roles in a collection of scenes and songs, exploring everything from fast-track dating to doting parenthood, from lovers to in-laws, from widowhood to new chances in their golden years, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change reveals the difficulties and joys of connecting with another person, no matter what age!

Performances run Saturday, February 19^th, through Sunday, March 6^th, at 6740 N. Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631. Performance times will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 1:30 p.m. for Sunday matinees. The house opens one half hour before showtime.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. A Group Rate of $13 per ticket is available for reserved groups of 10 or more. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets can be purchased online with a credit card at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/153540, or reserved by phoning (224) 725-3696 or e-mailing jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com. In your voice mail or e-mail message, please provide: your first and last name; the day and date of the performance you'd like to attend; the number of tickets you’d like reserved (specify how many adult and how many senior or student tickets); your complete phone number and/or your e-mail address. Only cash or checks are accepted at the Box Office.

Get in for $5 on Fridays if you bring your Theatre Industry Resume and Headshot (if an actor/actress) with you to the performance and hand them to the box office. Be aware, though, if you purchase $5 Industry Tickets online and do not have a resume with you when you attend, you will be asked to pay the per-ticket difference of $15 before being admitted.

Directed by Dale Hawes with Music Director, David Richards, the wonderful comically and musically talented cast includes Micah Fortenberry, Elise Morrow-Schap, Elissa Newcorn and David E. Wojtowicz. Lighting and sound design is by Steve Kedzierski. Set design is by Joshua Dlouhy.

The James Downing Theatre is a sponsored program of the Edison Park United Methodist Church and all performances are held in The John Waldron Art Center located at the church.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals.

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10/29/2010

Auditions for I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE

The James Downing Theatre announces Auditions for their upcoming production of the hilarious musical, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, directed by Dale Hawes and music directed by David Richards. Performances run Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, February 19th - March 6th, 2011.

Auditions will be held on Monday, November 29th, 2010 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at The John Waldron Arts Center, housed at Edison Park United Methodist Church, 6740 North Oliphant Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631. Call-backs will be held on Tuesday, November 30th. Rehearsals begin in early January. This is a Non Equity production and there is no pay.

Seeking Male and Female actor/singers who can create a range of different characters. The show is musical sketch comedy.

Please prepare TWO high-contrasting 1-2 minute monologues, showing a wide range of characters, and 16 BARS of a song of your choice which will demonstrate your vocal range. Please bring sheet music with you for the piano accompanist.

Please e-mail your headshot, resume and questions to jamesdowningtheatre@gmail.com.

For more info about "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," go to http://www.loveperfectchange.com.

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April 2012

THE JAMES DOWNING THEATRE