WSRep Announces Upcoming Productions At Raue Center

Williams Street Repertory, McHenry County's only professional theater company, is excited to announce two productions coming to Raue Center For The Arts in 2018! A.R. Gurney's "Sylvia" will leave audiences howling for more from May 4 - 20, 2018 and "Ring of Fire" will bring the music of Johnny Cash to the stage for a foot-stompin', crowd-pleasin' success July 6 - August 12, 2018!

"I am very happy that we are producing 'Sylvia'! This is the second play of Mr. Gurney's we will be mounting following his death last June. He was truly an amazing playwright and friend," says Founding Artistic Director, Richard Kuranda. "Initially, we had planned on producing 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' but the impending Broadway revival changed our plans. In hindsight, I'm glad because I think everyone could use a laugh right now!"

"Sylvia" is a hilarious romp that will leave audiences howling for more! Greg is a man of middle age, a restless empty nester who is tired of his job in finance and looking for meaning in his life.

Sylvia is an exuberant and beautiful lab/poodle mix, astray in Central Park and looking for a new home. When they meet, it is love at first sight.

But when Greg brings Sylvia home, his wife Kate is less than thrilled. This results in an unlikely love triangle between a man, his wife... and his dog. Love and laughter are unleashed in A.R. Gurney's smart, silly, sophisticated and occasionally salty comedy about relationships, nature and growing older.

"'Ring of Fire' is not just about the famed, 'Man in Black.' It's also about the generations that grew up with his distinct style of music and the generations that still identify with his unique style of rhythm and blues," says Kuranda. "This musical is a part of our collective American story. It's a chance for everyone to come together through amazing music and a great night out."

Pulled straight from the iconic songbook of Johnny Cash, "Ring of Fire" is a unique musical about love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption and home and family.

A multi-talented cast performs more than two-dozen classic hits - including "I Walk The Line," "A Boy Named Sue," "Folsom Prison Blues" and the title tune - to paint a musical portrait of The Man in Black.

"Ring of Fire" promises to be a foot-stompin', crowd-pleasin' salute to a unique musical legend!

Though he is never impersonated, Johnny Cash's remarkable life story is told through his music, climaxing in a concert that will both move and exhilarate.

WSR's production of "Sylvia" opens on May 4, 2018 and runs select dates through May 20, 2018 at Raue Center. WSR's production of "Ring of Fire" opens on July 6, 2018 and runs select dates through August 12, 2018 at Raue Center. For more information, visit wsrep.org.

WSR is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre. TCG has existed to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre for over 50 years.

Raue Center offers special seating arrangements and hearing devices for patrons with disabilities. Please call the box office at 815.356.9212 to make arrangements prior to the performance. Raue Center Box Office | 815.356.9212 | 12 to 4p | Mon-Sat | Open Sundays on performance days 1 hour prior to performance.
www.rauecenter.org.

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