In honor of Black History Month, Illinois Theatre Center in Park Forest presents "Crumbs from the Table of Joy," a charming family story set in 1950's Brooklyn, and narrated by about-to-graduate Ernestine Crumb (Vallea E. Woodbury). Her father, Godfrey (Ethan Henry), who discovered evangelist Father Divine after his wife's death, moves his daughters from Florida to Brooklyn to be closer to Divine.
Ernestine tries to keep the peace between her father, who works in a bakery, her Aunt Lily Ann Green (Makeba Pace), an activist for women's rights and other ‘progressive' issues, and her sister Ermina (Kona N. Burks), who is becoming interested in boys. When Godfrey meets and marries Gerte Schultze (Amanda-Claire Lowe), Lily and his daughters are outraged -- it's bad enough that Gerte is white, but she's German, too. Ernestine's graduation is the turning point for this family. Ernestine asserts herself by moving to Harlem.
"Crumbs from the Table of Joy," which plays through Valentine's Day, is a poignant slice of life I thoroughly enjoyed. FYI: (708) 481-3510 or ilthctr.org
"Betty's Summer Vacation." a definitely adults-only show, the latest production from Hammond Community Theatre, is a satire on America's infatuation with shows like "Jerry Springer" and "Maury Povich." It's all about outrageous behavior, and unlike TV, there are no bleeps.
When Betty (Andrea Creasbaum) rents a room in the summer somewhere near the Atlantic Ocean, the other renters aren't exactly normal. Trudy (Sarah Kelley) is a compulsive talker who had a troubled childhood. Keith (Neil Kubath), a nerd who carries an axe and a hatbox (?!?) also had a troubled childhood. Buck (Lachon Nichols) is obsessed with sex. It seems Mrs. Siezmagraff (Bonnie Johnson), who owns the house, and suddenly decides to spend the summer with her tenants, is Trudy's mother. And then, there are the voices. This house seems to be haunted by ‘bored' duct work or plaster, which turns out to be Kim Bernstein, Caroline Herrera and Rip Johnson.
When Mrs. Siezmagraff brings home a degenerate flasher, Mr. Vanislaw (Howard Johnson), murder and mayhem follow. A warning, this show is not for the faint at heart "Betty's Summer Vacation" plays at Beatniks on Conkey tonight and tomorrow. FYI: (888) 210-7528.
"The Pillowman," the latest production from Community Theatre Guild, is another adults-only production. Katurian (Timmy Gleason) is a writer. His stories are all slightly off-kilter. His brother Michal (Josh Eggleston), who is learning deprived, loves his stories. As the story opens, Katurian sits in a cell with a bag over his head. Questioners, Tupolski (David Pera) and Arial (Andy Urschel), are determined to connect some recent child murders with his stories. I give CTG a lot of credit for their work with this production, which is very well acted, but state sponsored torture is just not a topic I find enjoyable."The Pillowman" runs through Feb. 13 at CTG's Chicago Street Theatre, Valparaiso. FYI: (219) 464-1636.
The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Reach her at laughingcat_98@yahoo.com.
