Bailiwick Chicago to Present Chicago Casting Auction Production of WONDERFUL TOWN, 2/25-28

It's no ordinary cast! Dozens of competitors bid for roles in a professionally produced stage production of the Tony Award-winning musical WONDERFUL TOWN at Bailiwick Chicago's annual CHICAGO CASTING AUCTION. Now, they're ready to take the stage for five performances only, February 25 - 28, 2015 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. With book by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Leonard Bernstein, WONDERFUL TOWN is directed by Bailiwick Chicago Company Member Varris Holmes* with music direction by Kyle Pollio and choreography by Company Member Jon Martinez*. Tickets are available at bailiwickchicago.com.

The "winning" cast of WONDERFUL TOWN includes: Jill Renn as Ruth Sherwood, Leatrice Berman Sandler as Eileen Sherwood, Andy Lambros as Robert Baker, Laura Ladewski as Helen Wade, Herb Quinde as Mr. Appopolous, Rusty Rector as Chick Clark, Joshua Steinfels-Saenz as Frank Lippencott and Amy Robbins as Tour Guide. Supporting roles include Scott Andersen, Michelle Bibergal, Corey Blitz, Larry Blust, Stuart Burstein, Carol Christensen, John Dreixler, Denise Doherty, Jenna Dreixler, Paula Goedert, Christine Hadley, Maria Harrigan, Daryl Horn, Stan Horn, Wendy Istvanik, Fran Kaluzna, Harvey Kaluzna, Kim Klein, Marcelline Klestil, Diana Koch, Christopher Kristant, Bliss McMahon, Linda Quinde, Steve Sandler, Fred Snow, Nancy Studenroth, Eileen Sweeney, Myles Tobin and Peg Wander plus students from Franklin Fine Arts Center, British School of Chicago and other CPS schools.

WONDERFUL TOWN tells the story of two sisters from Ohio who come to New York to make their fortunes: Ruth, the older, wisecracking one in writing and journalism, and Eileen, the younger, beautiful one in show business. Their subsequent adventures, which include dive apartment-dwelling on Christopher Street, involve the various wacky denizens and citizens of bohemian Greenwich Village they encounter while on their search for fortune, fame and romance in the big city. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1953, winning five Tony Awards including Best Musical with a Tony-nominated revival in 2003.

Bailiwick Chicago's annual Chicago Casting Auction is a unique opportunity for non-professionals to experience the thrill of being on stage in a professionally produced Chicago stage production. More than 35 roles were auctioned off during the November 8, 2014 event at Chicago's Michelle's Ballroom, 2800 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Contenders for leading and major supporting roles took the stage during the nail-biting live auction, often edged on by the crowd to show off their vocal and dancing talents. Additional supporting and chorus roles were won via silent auction. The event raised more than $50,000 for Bailiwick Chicago. Last year's auction, which culminated in a sold-out public run of The Drowsy Chaperone, raised nearly $70,000 (including ticket sales to the production itself) to support Bailiwick Chicago programming.

Bailiwick Chicago is a non-profit professional company with a mission to produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classic musicals and develop new work, while sharing a powerful, intimate theatrical experience. The company celebrates and engages our community through diverse programming, artistic partnerships and outreach opportunities. In its first four seasons Bailiwick Chicago has garnered 65 award nominations, including eight Non-Equity Jeff Award Nominations in its 2013-14 Season. For additional information, visit bailiwickchicago.com.

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