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Health & Fitness

Des Plaines resident Elizabeth Stenholt opens Brighton Beach Memoirs tonight at Raven Theatre

Elizabeth Stenholt of Des Plaines plays Laurie in Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon, directed by Cody Estle.

Elizabeth Stenholt of Des Plaines plays Laurie in Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon, directed by Cody Estle. Opening night is tonight, Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception following in Raven’s lobby. Stenholt is a student at Maine West High School and has performed with Eclipse Theatre Company and in several independent films. Stenholt has also spent two summers in Goodman's General Theatre Studies Program. Tickets and information are available at www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177.

Brighton Beach Memoirs follows Eugene Jerome and his family, fighting the hard times and sometimes each other—with laughter, tears, and love. With a marvelous sense of humor, Eugene shares the hardships of puberty, sexual fantasy, and living the life of a poor boy in a crowded house. Based on Simon's memories of growing up in Brooklyn in the years just before World War II, Brighton Beach Memoirs is the first of a trilogy including Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound.

Director Cody Estle states, “This is an honest play that speaks to the joys and frustrations of this tightly woven family. Eugene's is a coming of age story, one that employs heart and humor and reminds us that for better or worse our families will always be there.”

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Brighton Beach Memoirs

by Neil Simon, directed by Cody Estle

Find out what's happening in Des Plaineswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Opening Night: Monday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m.

Performances continue through June 29, 2013:

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

All performances take place on Raven Theatre’s East Stage, 6157 N. Clark

Tickets are $22 during previews, $45 on opening night and $36 all other performances

($31 for seniors, $15 for Students, Military and Teachers, $15 for groups of 10 or more for Thursday, Friday and Sunday performances, all subject to availability)

$10 Industry nights every Thursday

Free parking is provided in a lot adjacent to the theatre; additional street parking is available

Raven Theatre is handicapped accessible

Tickets/information: www.raventheatre.com or 773-338-2177

Special Event - "Out at Raven": Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Neil Simon is a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning playwright. Presenting human weaknesses in an honest and uniquely comedic way, Simon is best known for mastering the art of making serious issues funny. Other works include The Odd Couple, Lost in Yonkers, Barefoot in the Park and Laughter on the 23rd Floor.

This is Cody Estle's (Director) third project at Raven. Previous directing credits include Boy Gets Girl and Dating Walter Dante (Raven Theatre), The Tooth of Crime (City Wind Theatre), The Phantom Corvette and The Teacher (The Neapolitans Theatre Co.) Assistant directing credits include The Odd Couple and Season's Greetings (Northlight Theatre), Angels In America (Court Theatre), The Detective's Wife (Writers' Theatre), In Loco Parentis (Next Theatre), Wreckage (Caffeine Theatre) and The Cherry Orchard (Strawdog Theatre). Upcoming work includes Uncle Bob by Austin Pendleton at Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. Cody is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

In addition to Stenholt, the cast of Brighton Beach Memoirs includes: Charlie Bazzell (Eugene), who has performed with Court Theatre, RedTwist Theatre, Roundhouse Theatre and Theater Wit; Sophia Menendian (Nora), who is a Raven ensemble member where she has been seen in Bus Stop, The Cherry Orchard and Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose; JoAnn Montemurro (Kate), who is a co-founding member and Co-Artistic Director of Raven where she has been seen in Luann Hampton Laverty Oberlander (Jeff Award Outstanding Performance), The Crucible, and A View From the Bridge; Liz Fletcher (Blanche), who is a Raven ensemble member where she has been seen in Golden Boy (Jeff Citation Supporting Actress), A Streetcar Named Desire (Jeff Citation Lead Actress) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Sam Hubbard (Stanley), who has performed with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Northlight Theatre and Strawdog Theatre; and Ron Quade (Jack), who has been seen in Raven productions including The Big Knife and The Cherry Orchard.

The Brighton Beach Memoirs staff includes: Amanda Rozmiarek (Set Design/Scenic Artist), Greg Hofmann (Lighting Designer), Frances Maggio (Costume Designer), Melissa Schlesinger (Sound Designer), Andrei Onegin (Technical Director), Justin Castellano (Master Electrician), Kate Hardiman (Dramaturg), Kendra Thulin (Dialect Coach), and Vincent Mraz (Assistant Director). Kate Masiak serves as Stage Manager and Hana Rickert serves as Assistant Stage Manager.

About "Out at Raven"

Raven Theatre continues to reach out to the LGBTQ community through their event series, "Out at Raven". Now in its third year, this series shows Raven's appreciation of and commitment to the LGBTQ community, providing an opportunity to mingle and network during one Friday night performance of each show. Tickets for each “Out at Raven” performance include a pre show wine and appetizer reception and post-show discussion with the cast and director.

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