Summer Chill: An Evening of One-Act Plays

GENEVA – Now that the weather has turned hot, the Geneva Underground Playhouse invites theatergoers to come in for a summer chill.

A night of one-acts called Summer Chill, that is.

The playhouse presents three suspense-filled plays featuring a timeless classic, plus two stories from local playwrights.

Summer Chill opens at 8 p.m. Friday, with shows at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. The shows run two more weeks, at 8 p.m. June 10, 11, 17 and 18, and at 3 p.m., June 12.

Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15 for seniors or students. All shows are at the Geneva Underground Playhouse, 524 W. State St., corner of Sixth and State, in downtown Geneva.

For ticket reservations and purchases, or for more information, go to guptheatre.org, or call 630-677-1725.

The classic is “Sorry, Wrong Number,” by Lucille Fletcher, the tale of a neurotic invalid, whose only contact with the outside world is her phone. During one night, because of a crossed wire, she hears plans for a murder. Her frantic efforts to enlist help through the only means at her disposal are for naught, as her growing terror leads to the realization of the truth ... but is it too late?

The two locally written plays are “Be Bold, Be Bold,” by Donna Latham, of Batavia, and “Dead Around Here,” by Eric Schwartz, of Aurora. Both published playwrights have been affiliated with the Geneva Underground Playhouse as board members.

Experienced actor and director Jeni Dees, of South Elgin, is directing “Sorry, Wrong Number.” She says she was “intrigued” by the “challenge of directing a piece where the lead character actually cannot move from one place.”

“I like the noir style of the show, which I have tried to enhance by giving the show an appearance of it being in black and white,” she says. “The costumes and set are all black, white and grey, with touches of red. I feel it really helps set the mood.”

Another experienced community theater actor, Millie Collins Schwartz, of Aurora, is directing “Be Bold, Be Bold.” This suspenseful masterpiece by well-known local playwright Donna Latham is the story of Lady Mary, who boldly visits her mysterious lover’s home while he is away. There, she discovers a deadly secret.”

These two plays feature the directing debut at the Geneva Underground Playhouse for both Dees and Collins Schwartz.

Summer Chill features the debut of “Dead Around Here,” written and directed by Eric Schwartz, a veteran director at GUP and a member of the playhouse’s Board of Directors. The simple story starts with Sonja and Matt enjoying a late Sunday night drink in an empty bar. They soon meet Martin, a seductive stranger with a suitcase, who has come into the bar to enjoy the quiet. As the evening wears on, life takes an unexpected turn.

The show features newcomer to the GUP stage Michael Mochizuki, and veterans of GUP Carol Bair and Scott Surowiecki. Bair has both acted and directed at GUP before.

Surowiecki and Bair also will lend their talents in “Be Bold, Be Bold,” which also features Russ Devereaux, Aimee Kennedy, Gary Krolik Jr., Caroline Neidballa and Danny Schwartz. Latham will make an appearance in her own play as well.

The cast of “Sorry, Wrong Number” includes a mix of GUP newcomers and veterans, including Julie Rodgers-Baker in the lead part of Mrs. Elbert Stevenson. Other cast members include Jack Smith, Eric Nelson, Jan Spink, Heidi Butler and Kennedy.

The Geneva Underground Playhouse is a not-for-profit community theater that presents live mainstage theater productions throughout the year, and also hosts performances by comedy groups, musicians, playwrights and any number of other entertainers.