Fox Valley Rep to Present CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, 3/27-5/18

Fox Valley Repertory continues their 2014 theater series with one of the best-loved American memoirs recounted from the book by siblings Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey called Cheaper by the Dozen. This coming-of-age comedy, adapted by Christopher Sergel, will include nearly a dozen professional actors as well as another dozen youth actors making their professional debut. Directed by Vance Smith, performances will take place at the Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage March 27 - May 18, 2014 (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL; box office 630-584-6342).

As the father of twelve, Frank Gilbreth used to joke: "You know, they come cheaper by the dozen!" One of the best-loved American memoirs captures the trials, tribulations and sheer amusement recounted by the children of efficiency experts Frank and Lillian Gilbreth during the 1920's. You'll laugh the night away with this humor-filled look into the life of a family who often served as the subjects of their fathers' motion studies. The results are terribly embarrassing, funny and - extremely effective! It is a coming-of-age story about rebellion and reconciliation, love and laughter, selfishness and sacrifice that has delighted audiences all over the world.

"With 13 cast members and 10 understudies, Cheaper by the Dozen marks the largest acting company in Fox Valley Repertory's history of professional productions," says Artistic Director John Gawlik. "Eleven of these actors reign from Fox Valley Rep's own award-winning Performing Arts Academy and blew us away with their outstanding auditions. This will be a great professional experience for them."

Cheaper by the Dozen actor and Academy student Nathan Castagna (12) of Geneva has been involved with Fox Valley Rep's youth programs for three years and is thrilled with making his professional debut, says mom Brenna Castagna.

"Fox Valley Repertory has become a second home to Nathan. FVR has provided an encouraging and educational place for him to develop his performance skills while cultivating a talented and confident individual," says Brenna.

Real-life siblings Erika (12) and Keira (10) Denker of St. Charles are excited to play stage-siblings in this family comedy. And because of their training with the Academy, they felt incredibly prepared for their professional audition.

"I have learned so much from the academy instructors and professional directors, so I was prepared," remarked Erika.

"I have done so many auditions with the Academy that I knew exactly what to do," adds younger sister, Keira.

Kaia Ebel (12) of Geneva also believes that her Academy training taught her to make bold choices when auditioning, which helped her land a role in this production, while Cooper Chavez (13) of West Chicago adds that all of FVR's training in singing, dancing and acting surely played a part in getting him ready for this role.

The cast of Cheaper by the Dozen features (in alphabetical order): Matthew Bausone (Des Plaines), Rachel Becker (15, Naperville), Nathan Castagna (12, Geneva), Micheal Daily (Chicago), Erika & Keira Denker (12, 10, St. Charles), Grace Etzkorn (17, Lisle), Josh Greiveldinger (Chicago), Keaton Jens (13, St. Charles), Ewan Parker Eaton (12, Deer Park), Laura Sturm (Chicago), and Stephanie Sullivan (Evanston). Understudies include: Natalie Antonik (15, Palatine), Caden Bohmer (10, Batavia), Cooper Chavez (13, West Chicago), Kaia Ebel (11, Geneva), Glynis Gilio (18, Batavia), Eric Leonard (Chicago), Mary Nigosian (Batavia), Matthew Petersen (15, Lombard), Kelsey Sante (Naperville native), Hayley Troyan (9, Hanover Park), and Timothy Vogel (Naperville). Tickets are priced at $32 on Fridays (and limited Thursday performances), and at $42 on Saturdays and Sundays. Dinner packages, group discounts and overnight rates are also available. Cheaper by the Dozen runs Thursday, March 27, 2014 through Sunday, May 18, 2014. Press Opening is Saturday, April 5, 2014 @ 8pm. Show times are: Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm, and Sundays @ 2pm. Special Thursday performances are March 27 and April 3 @ 8pm, and April 17 & 24 and May 1 & 15 @ 2pm. The show is rated PG.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and is sponsored in part by Daily Herald, MCC Technology, and Urban Imaging.

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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