Up and Coming Theatre Presents SWEET CHARITY

Up and Coming Theatre Company (UAC) presents their fresh view on the classic musical "Sweet Charity".

Performances will take place at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm Saturday, July 29; 2:00 pm Sunday, July 30; 7:30 pm Thursday, August 3; and 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm Saturday, August 5, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights. Tickets are available for $20 each at uactheatre.org.

Sweet Charity follows the life of Charity Hope Valentine, a dancehall girl who is looking for love and believes the man of her dreams is just around the corner. The score, includes the songs "Big Spender!" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now," incredible dancing-originally choreographed by Broadway legend Bob Fosse-and one of the most memorable heroines of the past sixty years making Sweet Charity a must-see show.

Jason Harrington, winner of 2017 BroadwayWorld Chicago Non-Equity award for Best Director for UAC's 2016 production of Heathers, is directing this year's production of Sweet Charity . "UAC chose Sweet Charity because it allowed us to take a step in a new direction from our past few seasons. We often perform energetic, dance-driven shows, which this absolutely is, but it's also of a very different style and era than we normally produce.", says Harrington. "What audience members may not expect, is how touching Charity's journey is. She is such a special character because no matter how many times she stumbles or is wronged, she approaches her next adventure with a hopeful perspective."

Sweet Charity features a cast of Chicagoland performers, starring Annie Jo Ermel as Charity Hope Valentine, Aaron Stash as Oscar Lindquist, Steve Peter as Vittorio Vidal and Daddy Brubek, Carly Vadnais as Nickie, Linda Andrews as Helene and Terry Bangs as Herman. Other cast members include: Erica Chin, Nicolette de Guia, Nicolle DeRoeck, Paige Dirkes-Jacks, Marixa Ford, Coco Kasperowicz, Katey Kelleher, Ryan Kelleher, Pratik Mamtora, Erin O'Brien, Ashley Peter, Paul Stowick, Jennifer Thomas, Kara Vombrack, Emma Widlowski, Hannah Yonan.

"One of the most exciting and intriguing parts of this show is how Jason has taken inspiration from a non-traditional artist and incorporated that into the world of Charity. Audience members will be surprised at how a classic show can live in a new, different world", says producer Lindsey Weiss.

Sweet Charity is produced by Lindsey Weiss, James Faust, and Kelly Fitzgerald. Marty Karlin is the music director, and Dina DiCostanzo is choreographer. Alec Kinastowski, a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-winner for his work on UAC's production of Heathers is sound designer and Mason Delman, a BroadwayWorld Chicago Award-winner for his work on UAC's production of Heathers is light designer.

"The talent level from this all-star cast led by Annie Jo Ermel takes this Fosse classic to new heights. The performers are some of the strongest we've ever seen", says producer Kelly Fitzgerald. James Faust, fellow producer says, "The title may not be recognizable to all, but you will definitely know some of the songs. Some of the classics include: Big Spender, Rhythm of Life, and Something Better Than This."

For tickets or more information, visit uactheatre.org.

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