Photo Flash: Sneak Peek at Dead Writers Theatre's THE VORTEX, Opening Tonight

Dead Writers Theatre Collective presents its inaugural production, Noel Coward's The Vortex, directed by Jim Schneider, tonight, July 20 through August 26, at the Greenhouse Theater Complex.  BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production shots below.

Opening/press night is tonight, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for previews and $30 for the scheduled run. All tickets are available at deadwriters.net, greenhousetheater.org or 773.404.7336.

Noel Coward's The Vortex tells the story of Nicky Lancaster (Kaelan Strouse), a handsome, highly-strung, 24 year-old man of privilege returning home after a year in Paris to find his mother, the glamorous and celebrated middle aged-beauty of days past, Florence Lancaster (Bonnie Hilton), with a handsome boyfriend not much older than himself. Nicky has a secret to confess which will shatter Florence's illusionary world and force them both to confront the unpleasant truths about their lives.

The first Coward drama to be a critical success after its premiere in 1924, The Vortex launched Coward into the spotlight as a spokesperson for the next generation. Although many considered the subjects of the story to be taboo and immoral, the original production (which included Coward, himself) was a major success.

Additional cast includes Rob Cramer (Pauncefort Quentin), Teri Schnaubelt (Helen Saville), Danny Pancrantz (Tom Veryan), Skye Shrum (Bunty Wainwaring), Bradford Lund (Bruce Fairlight), Noah Sullivan( David Lancaster), Betsy Pennington (Clara Hibbert), Hillary Sigale (Preston), Joanna Riopelle (understudy), Peter Esposito (understudy), Catherine Dildilian (understudy) and Ben Muller (understudy).

The Vortex production team includes Charlie McGrath, assistant director; Brenda Killanski, dramaturg; Elizabeth Wislar, costume designer; Matthew Walter, set designer, Linda Bugielski, light designer; Jessica McCluskey, makeup designer, Kris Kontour, production technical director; Bob Douglas, floral designer, Kari Wakefield, production stage manager and Matthew Bonaccorso, assistant stage manager.

Photo Credit: Peter Bosy

Rob Cramer, Teri Schnaubelt and Betsy Pennington

The Cast

Bonnie Hilton and Kaelan Strouse

Kaelan Strouse and Bonnie Hilton