Live Theater Set To Return At New Venue In Glenview

GLENVIEW, IL — Lovers of local theater can rejoice in knowing that live performances are soon returning to the area. The Oil Lamp Theater announced its 2021 "Season Under the Stars" with performances scheduled at a new venue — the lawn at St. David's Episcopal Church, 2410 Glenview Road, Glenview.

Audiences will safely experience live theater once again with two fully produced shows along charming tree-line sets the perfect backdrop for the stage while patrons relax comfortably in provided Adirondack chairs in socially distanced groups of two, four or six, according to a news release.

The two performances are the heated romantic comedy, "Talley's Folly," and the elaborate adventure story, "Shipwrecked!"

The season starts with "Talley’s Folly," by Lanford Wilson, running June 17 through July 18. Tad Ingram will direct this production, according to the news release. The scene is the ornate, deserted Victorian boathouse on the Talley place in Lebanon, Missouri; the time 1944. Towards the end of World War II and after a year of writing love letters, Matt Friedman, a bookish, totally honest, and delightfully funny accountant and Jewish immigrant, returns to Lebanon, Missouri, to ask Sally to marry him. Sally, a 31-year-old nurse, is nothing like her conservative Protestant family and neighbors who would never approve of their marriage and is reluctant to put her trust in a future with Matt. After years of giving up on love, the two begin to imagine the possibilities of having a life together.

Oil Lamp Theater's second show will be, "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself)," by Donald Margulies, running July 29 through August 30. Corey Bradberry will direct this production. Based on the true story of the Swiss explorer who claimed to have daring adventures in the Asian-Pacific, "Shipwrecked!" will take audiences to “a new uncharted realm of whimsy and adventure” (Montgomery News). Watch Louis de Rougemont take London at the turn of the 19th century by storm as he tells audacious tales of the high seas. Filled with exotic islanders, flying wombats, giant sea turtles, and a monstrous man-eating octopus,"Shipwrecked!" will leave audiences wondering “whether he is an inspirational figure touched by imaginative genius or a mere con man” (The New York Times). This “quirky and wondrous” (Montgomery News) play examines how far we’re willing to blur the line between fact and fiction in order to leave our mark on the world.

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Tickets are $45 and available at oillamptheater.org or over the phone at 847-834-0738.

The theater said it is following all recommended CDC, state, and local safety guidelines for COVID-19 as well as additional measures to ensure the safety of its staff, artists, and patrons.

Safety measures include, but are not limited to:

• Socially distanced seating is provided for our guests. 15 feet of distance between stage and the first row of seating.
• Masks will be required for Oil Lamp staff and all patrons unless they are sitting in their assigned seats.
• All surfaces will be sanitized prior to each performance.
• Ticketing and programs will be contactless. Any change of restrictions will communicate with ticket buyers before they arrive.

For the most up-to-date safety measures, visit: OilLampTheater.org/COVID.