Theatre at the Center Pushes 'WOMEN ON THE VERGE' Opening to 9/21 Following Actor's Death

In the wake of the tragic loss of Actor Bernie Yvon, 50, in a car accident on his way to rehearsal of WOMEN ON THE VERGE, Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN the theater has moved its press opening to Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:30pm. Previews begin Saturday, Sept. 13, with George Andrew Wolff assuming the role of the taxi driver that Mr. Yvon had been scheduled to play. After the opening, a small tribute reception will take place at the theater for attendees of the performance.

Over this tumultuous time, measures have been taken to help all of the staff, cast and crew deal with the loss. Director William Pullinsi invited his priest, Father Charles Niblick from Saint Maria Goretti Parish in Dyer, IN to talk to the cast, staff and crew members at rehearsal. Sam Hamstra from the Christian Life Center is on hand to counsel all on site in small groups and individually. Steven Haught from the Actors Fund, who is an experienced grief counselor, is also onsite.

Theatre at the Center, along with theaters around Chicagoland, will dim their lights this Thursday, September 11 at 7:30pm in tribute to Bernie and other theater artists who passed last week including Actors Molly Glynn, Sati Word, Trinity P. Murdock, Properties Designer Joel Lambie and WGN broadcaster Roy Leonard.

General Manager of Theatre at the Center Richard Friedman said today, "WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN has the same exuberance, wit and zest for life that embodied Bernie's stage work and his personality -- the cast and creative team dedicate the show to his memory."

With an irresistible Latin-infused score by Tony Award-nominated David Yazbek and book by Jeffrey Lane (the team behind past Theatre at the Center hit DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS) WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN is a touching and hilarious story of a group of women whose relationships with men lead to a whirlwind of emotions -- love as they find them, confusion as they lose them and passion when they need them. This regional premiere is directed by William Pullinsi with Choreography by Danny Herman and Musical Direction and Orchestrations by William Underwood.

Set in 1980's Madrid, WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN introduces actress and singer Pepa (Jeff Award-Winner Cory Goodrich) who is heartbroken by her charming yet deceitful lover, Ivan (Jeff Award-Nominee Larry Adams). The plot thickens as his ex-wife of questionable sanity Lucia (Jeff Award-Winner Hollis Resnik) and their passionate and curious son Carlos (Jeff Award-nominee Nathan Gardner) show up. Chaos ensues when Pepa's naïve best friend Candela (Jeff Award-Winner Summer Smart) falls in love with a possible terrorist and is wanted by the police. The show is comically narrated by a wise taxi driver (George Andrew Wolff) who provides tissues, mints and advice to the colorful characters along the way.

Theatre at the Center's production will be followed by the first London production when WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN makes its West End premiere in January at the Playhouse Theatre. The original Broadway production featured well-known Broadway heavyweights including Tony Award-Winners Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Laura Benanti.

In addition to Cory Goodrich as "Pepa" (Ring of Fire, The Music of Johnny Cash at Theatre at the Center; Ragtime at Drury Lane Oakbrook), Hollis Resnik as "Lucia" (National Tours of Sister Act., LES MISERABLES, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Thoroughly Modern Millie), Larry Adams as "Ivan" (The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway; La Cage aux Folles, 42nd Street, CATS, Phantom, A Christmas Carol at Theatre at the Center), Summer Naomi Smart as "Candela" (National tour of Wicked; The Beverly Hillbillies, The Musical at Theatre at the Center and Sweet Charity at Drury Lane Oakbrook), Jeff Award nominee George Andrew Wolff as "Taxi Driver" (CATS at Theatre at the Center and Marriott Theatre, Sweeney Todd and Ragtime at Drury Lane) and Nathan Gardner as "Carlos" (Les Miserables at Drury Lane Oakbrook and Sweet Smell of Success with Kokandy Productions at Theatre Wit), the cast of WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN includes Dina DiCostanzo as "Marisa," Colette Todd as "Paulina," Hillary Marren as "Anna," David Schlumpf as "Ambite," Jake Mahler as "Chief Inspector," Scott Stratton as "The Detective," Regina Webster as "Pepa's concierge," Missy Aguilar as "Ivan's concierge," Eric Lewis as "Malik," Chris Carter as "Telephone Man," Sheri Mocheit as "Young Lucia" and Ryan Naimy as "Young Ivan."

The WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN production team, led by Director William Pullinsi, includes Musical Director William Underwood, Choreographer Danny Herman, Stage Manager Matt McMullen, Scenic Designer and Production Manager Ann Davis, Lighting Designer Shelley Strasser-Holland, Costume Designer Brenda Winstead, Sound Designer Barry G. Funderburg, Associate Sound Designer Michael J. Patrick, Hair and Wig Designer Kevin Barthel and Props Designer Jessie Howe.

Founded in 1991, the 400-seat Theatre at the Center is a year-round professional theater at its home, The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Indiana. Theatre at the Center is located off I-80/94, just 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, and has free parking. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and select Thursday evening and Saturday matinees. Individual ticket prices range from $40 - $44. To purchase individual tickets call the Box Office at 219.836.3255 or Tickets.com at 800.511.1552. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more and gift certificates are also available. For more information on Theatre at the Center, visit TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

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