Towle bringing 'Boys' home; Show heads to Chicago's Theatre Wit next month

If pressed to describe the acclaimed drama "Good Boys and True" in five words, "teenager embroiled in videotape brouhaha" could arguably be apt.

But to Jeff Casey, co–director of Hammond's Towle Theater's production, the above description merely grazes the surface.

"It's dealing with a lot of different social levels and social issues," he said. It's all of those underlying questions that the audience leaves with that makes it a powerful piece."

Opening May 6 and running through May 22, "Boys" tells the tale of Brendon Hardy, star quarterback at an upper crust preparatory academy. His questionable role from a scandalous sex tape sets off ripples in his relationships with Elizabeth, his mother and an affluent doctor, his best friend, Justin Simmons and Maddy Emerson, Brendon's aunt and Elizabeth's sister.

Penned by American playwright Roberto Aguire–Sacasa, who has received kudos for dramatic works such as "Say You Love Satan" and "The Muckle Man" and also wrote for HBO's series "Big Love," "Boys" made its debut at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre to great acclaim in 2007 and has since been staged throughout the globe.

"It's a very intense drama," said Casey, who is directing "Boys" with Scot Kokandy.

Brendon Hardy from Chicago stars as Brandon Hardy in Towle's production of "Boys." He is joined onstage by Suzanne Myhan from Naperville as Elizabeth Hardy, Curtis Jackson from Chicago as Simmons and Laura MacGregor, also from Chicago, as Emerson.

"The cast that we've put together is absolutely amazing in this show and they've been great to work with," Casey said.

In addition to its staging in Hammond, Towle is slated to bring "Boys" to Chicago's Theatre Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., for a run starting June 22 and concluding July 9.

"One of the things we try to do here at the Towle is challenge ourselves so we don't get complacent," Casey said. "This show has certainly presented many challenges, not the least of which is moving it up to Chicago for three weeks. But it's been great. I'm excited for the challenges that are in store for us."

Due to adult themes and language, "Boys" is recommended for mature audiences only.