Western Springs Theater To Feature Mystery

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Theatre of Western Springs will present the second Forum play of its 91st season, “On Clover Road,” by Steven Dietz and directed by Jeff Award-winning director Michael Menendian of Chicago. It runs Feb. 6-16 at the theater, 4384 Hampton Ave. It includes mature subject matter.

“On Clover Road” is a mystery. In the plot, a mother meets a cult deprogrammer at an abandoned motel believing she will be reunited with her runaway daughter. Her daughter has been gone for more than four years, and the mother has all but given up hope.

“‘On Clover Road’ is a roller coaster of a thriller which draws me in with its challenge of keeping one step ahead of the audience until the big reveal at the end of the play, as all great thrillers should do,” Menendian said in a news release. “The subject matter of dealing with a religious cult is something I find most intriguing. I hope and expect audiences will be on the edge of their seats from start to finish, constantly wondering exactly who is manipulating whom.”

Kerry Reid of the Chicago Tribune described the play as “an absorbing, stylish and sometimes insightful snapshot of how easy it is for charlatans to ensnare those who fall by the wayside as they seek a lonely road to freedom and self-knowledge."

The play schedule:

• 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Feb. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sundays, Feb. 9, 15, 16
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9

Tickets to “On Clover Road” are $22 to $24. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or visit theatrewesternsprings.com. Groups of 15 or more receive discounts. Free parking is available.

Cast:

• Jessica — Courtney Beresheim of Brookfield
• Angela — Melody Jefferies of Oak Park
• Stine — Mark MacLean of Willow Springs
• Kate — Gina Palmer of Lombard
• Harris — Guy Sullivan of Roselle

Crew:

• Director — Michael Menendian of Chicago
• Stage manager — Sue Wisthuff of La Grange
• Assistant stage manager — Stephanie Williams of Brookfield
• Box office chair — Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont
• Costume designers — Linda Cunningham of La Grange and Beth DiMarco of Brookfield
• Dramaturg – Harry Hultgren of Indian Head Park
• Fight director – Michele DiMaso of Chicago
• Hospitality chair — Joe Mills of Westchester
• House management chair — Cassandra Johnson of Woodridge
• Lighting design — Mary Ellen Schutt of Westmont
• Make-up/hair designer — Patricia Huth of La Grange Park
• Programs — Ashley Kennedy of La Grange Park, Mark MacLean of Willow Springs and Rebecca Watson of Westchester
• Production chair — Mary Maureen Gentile of Western Springs
• Props design — Mike Janke of Downers Grove and Renata Allelujka of Downers Grove
• Publicity chair — Ginny Richardson of Burr Ridge
• Raffle chairs – Renata Allelujka of Downers Grove and Tom Frohnapfel of Western Springs
• Sandwich Sunday rehearsal — Mary Kuhn of Naperville
• Set construction — Jon Mills of Elk Grove Village
• Set design — Rob Cramer of La Grange Park
• Set dressing — Mary O’Dowd of Darien and Marilyn Weiher of Batavia
• Set painting — Stacy and Jason McCargo of Western Springs
• Sound design — Pat Politano of Brookfield
• Technical director — Kim Lartz of Wheaton