Photo Flash: First Look at Jedlicka Performing Arts Center's STANDING IN MATTOON

Jedlicka Performing Arts Center will continue its 2013-14 Season with a new production of the comedy STANDING IN MATTOON by Tim Clue and Spike Manton, the creators of the Chicago cult hit Leaving Iowa. Directed by Clue, STANDING IN MATTOON plays now through February 1, 2014 at Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 S. Central Ave. in Cicero. Scroll down for some photos from the production!

STANDING IN MATTOON features Rachel Christianson, Sean Cowan, Sam Fain, Chelsea Hunter, Ron Keaton, June Miller, Gary Murphy, Marc Nelson, Gary Saipe and Kristen Williams.

STANDING IN MATTOON is a comedically soulful sojourn about a recently divorced bagel factory worker who believes she's played out her life in Mattoon, Illinois, a reverend who's losing his congregation to a nearby Mega Church and an enigmatic stranger. These desperate souls face off in a bizarre contest of endurance in hopes of changing their lives. Told through the lens of an ice cream vendor who once ran the town's local paper, STANDING IN MATTOON is a funny tale about sad people who want to change their funny, sad lives.

"We're thrilled to have Jedlicka audiences join us as we put the finishing touches on this heartfelt American comedy," comments co-playwright and director Tim Clue. "The script has seen significant growth and transformation since the show first played in Chicago nearly six years ago. I grew up with classic American comedies from George Furth to Neil Simon to Larry Shue - but haven't seen much in the genre of the American stage comedy being challenged, or rethought. That's what we endeavored to do with Standing In Mattoon - bring audiences something special and different, yet familiar," adds Clue.

The production team for STANDING IN MATTOON includes: Rebecca Primm (scenic design), Theresa Ham (costume design), Dante J. Orfei (lighting design), Stephen Ptacek (sound design), Kelly Schaub(props design), Michael Kott (multi-media design), Diana Visk (dramaturg), Kathryn Lake (script development), Sean Cowan (assistant director), Barbara Seifert (stage manager) and Melanie Lamoureux (managing director).

Photo Credit: Emily Schwartz