Bad Dates completes Fox Valley Rep's Summer Theater Fest Series

Fox Valley Rep is ready to heat up their summer line-up with the hilarious one-woman comedy, Bad Dates. As if a summer of stampeding elephants and raging typhoons isn't enough in the family adventure Around the World in 80 Days (playing now through July 31), Theresa Rebeck's sassy comedy about the dating scene will complete Fox Valley Rep's programming for the inaugural St. Charles Summer Theater Fest in July. Directed by Kimberly Senior and featuring Lauren Pizzi, performances will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

Bad Dates will preview Thursday, July 7 through Thursday, July 14, 2011. The show will open Saturday evening, July 16, 2011 and continue through Sunday, August 7, 2011.

Tickets are priced at $29 on Fridays (and limited Thursday performances), and at $39 on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner show packages are available from $49. Group rates and overnight packages are also available.

Lauren Pizzi as "Haley Walker" in Bad Dates. Photo by Kimberly G. Morris.

Written in 2003 by Theresa Rebeck, it's "Sex and the City" meets Bridget Jones' Diary in this romantic one-woman comedy. Single mom and Texas transplant Haley Walker tries to balance the pressures of her new NYC restaurant career, raising a moody teenage daughter, and the too-close-for-comfort relationship with the Romanian mob, all while trying to find her way back into the dating scene...nothing that a great pair of shoes couldn't fix!
"While this is a fun comedy for women to come out and enjoy, there is more to this great piece. You'll find that the character, Haley, is going through a lot of life situations that are real and quite relatable - not just for women, but for men, too," says Artistic Director John Gawlik. "Our mission here at Fox Valley Rep is to tell stories on stage that encourage you to laugh, reflect, and reconnect to moments in your own life. And with Haley's stories of divorce, the career world, parenthood (and yes, shoes!), you'll end up laughing and crying with her. And with that, it's quite possible there will be moments where you'll see yourself up on that stage, too."

The role of Haley Walker will be played by Lauren Pizzi. She will be appearing in repertory with Around the World in 80 Days.

Kimberly Senior (Director) has worked professionally in Chicago in a variety of positions for the past 15 years. Most recently, Kimberly directed Mauritius for TheaterSquared in Fayetteville, AR. In Chicago, Kimberly has also recently directed the critically acclaimed productions of Uncle Vanya (Strawdog), The Pillowman (RedTwist), All My Sons (TimeLine) and The Overwhelming (Next.) She is the founder and company member emeritus of Collaboraction Theatre Company, where she directed and/or produced over 30 plays and theatrical experiences, most notably the company's lauded Sketchbook festival for seven years. Kimberly also serves as an Artistic Associate with Strawdog Theater, Next Theatre and Chicago Dramatists. In addition, she has directed for Seanchai, Emerald City Theatre Company, Pegasus Players, Adventure Stage Chicago, Estrogen Fest, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Northlight Theatre, RoadWorks Productions, Northwestern University, College of DuPage, Oakton Community College, National Louis University, and WFMT Radio, among others.

Bad Dates runs this summer in repertory with Around the World in 80 Days. It opens on Thursday, July 7, 2011 and runs through Sunday, August 7, 2011. Specific show times are as follows:
Thursday, July 7; 8pm
Friday, July 8; 8pm
Saturday, July 9; 4pm
Thursday, July 14; 8pm
Saturday, July 16; 8pm - press opening
Friday, July 22; 7:30pm
Saturday, July 23; 4pm
Thursday, July 28; 2pm - weekday matinee
Saturday, July 30; 4pm
Friday, August 5; 8pm
Saturday, August 6; 8pm
Sunday, August 7; 2pm

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by the Kane County Chronicle.

Pheasant Run Resort is located at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.foxvalleyrep.org.

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