Oak Park Festival Theatre & The Nineteenth Century Club Present SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, 9/20-22

"Don't touch that dial!" The Golden Age of Chicago radio drama returns. Oak Park Festival Theatre transports the Dining Room of the Nineteenth Century Club at 178 North Forest, Oak Park, Illinois, back in time to the 1940's for two performances: Friday, September 20 and Sunday, September 22.

"But wait, Bob, there's more!" The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association will host a Wine and Cheese Reception at 7:00 PM before the 8:00 Friday performance, and also a Sunday Afternoon Tea following the September 22 at 2 PM performance.

Oak Park Festival Theatre (OPFT) and the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, two of the community's most celebrated cultural institutions, present a recreation of a "live remote broadcast" of this classic mystery drama complete with period costumes, professional actors and announcer, live sound effects, musical accompaniment, and on-air commercials for local concerns.

"WVOP" (Visit Oak Park) will present an original adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles best known and most chilling Holmes mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Sherlock Holmes will be OPFT Kevin Theis whose performance this summer as Salieri drove OPFT's production of Amadeus to shatter all box office records. OPFT Artistic Director Jack Hickey is Dr. Watson, his loyal and intrepid companion. Heard in the broadcast will be more Festival favorites: Joe Bianco, Lucy Carr, Tony Dobrowolski, Artistic Associate Jhenai Mootz, Mary Michell, an and Amadeus director Mark Richard. The script was created by Artistic Associates Kevin Theis and Belinda Bremner, who will also direct the "broadcast." Bremner's mother was a leading lady in Chicago radio dramas in the 1930-1950's heyday and Bremner herself performed with Chicago Radio Theatre, National Radio Theatre, "Unshackled", and "Prairie Home Companion."

Veteran Chicago newsman Charles Meyerson is the "Voice" of WVOP and will announce the show in classic 1940's radio style.

Radio drama harkens to another age when families gathered together around the radio to "see with their ears" the dramas of The Mercury Theatre, Lights Out, or WGN Theatre of The Air, follow the adventures of Little Orphan Annie orSuperman, or with The Lone Ranger, "return to those thrilling days of yesteryear." Radio allows the audience to engage his/her imagination in a very special way rarely offered nowadays. Those who listen to Garrison Keillor's tales know how personally and vividly they can "see" all the denizens and geography of Lake Woebegone.

This is indeed family friendly fare and likely to spark lively and illuminating inter-generational discussions. The audience is encouraged to dress to fit the period to enhance the time travel experience.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $10 for those under 18 and may be purchased at the door; or, in advance at the Visitors' Bureau 1010 West Lake Street, by phone at 708-445-4440 or online at tickets@oakpark.com.

The two-performance event is co-sponsored by The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association and Oak Park Festival Theatre. The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association began in 1891 (ten years before the publication date of Hound of the Baskervilles) and since its foundation has focused on promoting learning and giving. The Association encourages social responsibility by providing charitable service, financial support to community not-for-profits, and college scholarships to local students. Founded forty years ago next summer, Oak Park Festival Theatre is not only Oak Park's only professional (Actors' Equity Association) resident theatre but also the Midwest's oldest professional outdoor classic theatre. Oak Park Festival Theatre, in addition to presenting professional and yet afford-ably priced productions, frequently works with organizations such as Prevail and the Animal Care League to improve the lives of all in our community.

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