River Valley Players proudly features community talent in a
unique dinner theater experience.
1302 Second Street - (St John XXIII Center) - Henry, Illinois 61537
Box Office Phone
309 238 7878
RIVER VALLEY PLAYERS
REVVING UP FOR OUR 43RD SEASON
River Valley Players Community Theatre (RVP) proudly announces their
Forty-Third Season. This year features two beloved classics and a Contemporary Broadway youth production. RVP is excited to give their audience exactly what they have been asking for by presenting the perfect combination of both classics and contemporary dramatic comedies, as well as the widely anticipated musicals!
With the kicking off of another incredible season undertow, RVP is looking forward to the privilege of hosting their broadly diverse audience. The inspiring stories are sure to move any audience through their dramatic presentation and relatable characters. The summer and fall musicals will have every toe in the theatre tapping and every mouth fighting the urge to sing along!
April,27, 28, May 3, 4,& 5
Directed by Jenifer Shaver
The season will open with Neil Simon’s, Lost in Yonkers, under the direction of Jeni Shaver. This classic, dramatic comedy is the Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Winner of the 1991 Tony Award, Best Play. Lost in Yonkers is noted as Neil Simon’s best play ever written. The play is set in the year 1942, in Yonkers, New York. As the curtain rises, Eddie is trying to convince his mother, “stern” Grandma Kurnitz, to look after his two boys, Jay and Arty, while he hits the road as a traveling salesman in an attempt to earn enough dough to pay off a hefty debt. The next ten months prove to be a bit of a whirlwind for the boys, as they learn a little bit about growing up and a lot about the importance of family (no matter how dysfunctional they are) sticking together through difficult times. Lost in Yonkers is noted as Neil Simon’s best play ever written. *Some adult language and themes
SHOW DATES: April 27th, 28th and May 3rd, 4th and 5th.
AUDITIONS: Saturday and Sunday, February 16th and 17th at 2:00 PM
WHERE: St. John’s Community Center, 1301 2nd Street, Henry. Illinois.
The Summer Youth Theatre (ages 5-14)
will be featuring
Madagascar-A Musical Adventure JR
Under the direction of Robert Eckert and Christine Gaspardo. Based on the DreamWorks smash hit, animated motion picture, Madagascar, this story follows all of your favorite “crack-a-lackin’ friends” as they suddenly find themselves on a much unexpected adventure to the wildly impulsive world of King Julien’s Madagascar, shortly after they leave their home in New York’s City’s Central Park Zoo. The Summer Youth Theatre participants will also have the benefit of attending a workshop(s) geared towards the introduction and continued exposure of various aspects of theatre production, ensuring that their summer theatre experience is both fun and educational!
SHOW DATES: July 19th, 20th, and 21st
AUDITIONS: May 2019
River Valley Players will conclude their season with Meet Me In St. Louis, directed by Charlotte Balensiefen. Based on the heartwarming MGM film starring Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien, Meet Me In St. Louis.
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Nov.
16 & 17 22,23,24.
Directed by Charlotte Balensiefen. Based on the heartwarming MGM film starring Judy Garland and Margaret O’Brien, Meet Me In St. Louis, is considered a “rare treasure” in musical theatre. The story portrays a wholesome, captivating depiction of the “turn of the century American family.” It is the Summer of 1903 and the Smith family eagerly awaits the arrival of the 1904 World’s Fair. Over a year’s time, the family is able to survive romance, heartache and opportunity, thanks to their mutual respect, seasoned with some “good natured humor.” This heartfelt musical features a multi-generational cast, with ages ranging from eight to seventy-eight! Don’t worry! We promise that you will not miss out on your favorite seven songs from the film. They are all there! Martin and Blane included TEN more! Here are just a few of the musical numbers that will be gracing RVP’s stage this fall: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “The Trolley Song,” “Meet Me In St. Louis,” “The Boy Next Door,” “When Ever I Am With You,” “Skip To My Lou.” This down home classic musical will delight audiences of all ages!
SHOW DATES: November 16th,17th, 22nd, 23rd. and 24th
AUDITIONS: August 6 & 7 2019
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