This show opens this weekend - and I have to say it's pretty unbelievable to tell you that we're putting up the North American Premiere of the stageplay K-PAX. Yes - this may sound familiar, it was a movie starring Kevin Spacey a few years back.
The playwright and novelist (from which the movie came as well) is a man named Gene Brewer, and he's coming to our little theater to our little show and doing an appearance!! I wish I had time to type out more - but I'm on a crunch to get the programs done for opening night on Friday - so I'll just paste the press release below - and of course the poster I did. (This poster is more conceptual - items were requested and placed by the director based on concepts in the play). Let me know if you want to come out!
K-PAX novelist, playwright to appear in Geneva
The Geneva Underground Playhouse is pleased to announce that author Gene Brewer will greet people at the theater’s May 16 performance of K-PAX.Dr. Brewer, who wrote the original K-PAX novel followed by two sequels, adapted the stage play from his original novel.
The Geneva Underground Playhouse production of the play will be the North American premier. It opens Friday, May 7 and will have eight performances through Saturday, May 22.
Dr. Brewer and his wife Karen will attend the show at 3 p.m. May 16 to celebrate its North American premier, and will meet with people in a reception immediately following in the theater at 524 W. State St. in downtown Geneva.
“This is a big moment for our theater,” said Steve Lord, president of the Geneva Underground Playhouse Board of Directors. “It’s an honor for us to produce the North American premier of this play, and an even bigger honor to have Dr. Gene Brewer see the production and visit us.”
The reception will serve as a fund-raiser for the non-profit, community theater, so tickets will be higher than normal performances. Tickets for the May 16 event will be $30 for adults, and $25 for seniors and students. The price includes the show and reception afterward.
For more information or reservations, see the theater’s website, at www.genevaundergroundplayhouse.com, or call 630-232-7683.
Many people know K-PAX from the movie, which starred Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. While it was based on Brewer’s novel, he did not write the screenplay.
The story takes place in a mental institution, where one guest claims to be an alien, named Prot, from the planet, K-PAX. While the doctor at the institution probes his mind, attempting to find out who he really might be, Prot helps improves the lives of fellow guests at the institution, and influences everyone around him.
Is he really an alien from another planet, or a deluded patient who has assumed another personality? That is up to the audience to decide.
Dr. Brewer himself is a Midwest native. Born and raised in Muncie, Ind., he was educated at DePauw University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before becoming a novelist, Dr. Brewer studied DNA replication and cell division at several major research institutions, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis, and Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland. He now lives in New York City and Vermont.
The GUP production features Geneva resident Pat Able, as Dr. Gene Brewer, and Scott Surowiecki, of Chicago, as Prot. Other actors performing in the play include: Angela Bend (Bess), of St. Charles; Kathy Richardson (Giselle), of Elburn; Steve Lord (Chuck), of Geneva; Russ Devereaux (Ernie), of St. Charles; Peter Lemongelli (Howie), of Cicero; and Angelicque Cate (Betty), of Elgin.
It is directed by Eric Peter Schwartz, of DeKalb.
Other show dates and times are: 8 p.m., May 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22; and 3 p.m., May 9.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased with a credit card online at the website. Reservations can be made by calling the box office 630-232-7683, for tickets to be picked up show night and paid for with cash or check.
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