Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run Resort and Spa Presents Classic Operetta, The Mikado

Theater Veterans Bring New Verve and Style to Popular Gilbert and Sullivan Score

. October 14, 2008

ST. CHARLES, Ill.-July 7, 2005-Noble Fool Theatricals proudly presents a modern spin on the classic Gilbert and Sullivan comic operetta, The Mikado: Version 2.005, beginning June 30 and running through September 4 at the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa Mainstage Theater (4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, Ill., 630-584-6342).

The Mikado, a Gilbert and Sullivan favorite, has pleased audiences for more than a century. Noble Fool Theatricals promises to continue the tradition with this performance: a modern version of the timeless operetta. The production will be led by director Amy Binns-Calvey-who co-created the popular St. Charles holiday staple Roasting Chestnuts with talented musical director Bonnie Shadrake, who teams up once again with Binns-Calvey for The Mikado: Version 2.005. Brian Bembridge, one of the hottest designers of Chicago theater, will design the set and lights.

The Mikado: Version 2.005, set in modern-day Japan, takes the audience on a journey of the young and hopelessly in love in the bustling town of Titipu, where Yum-Yum (Courtney Rioux), Ko-Ko (Brendan Kelly) and Nanki-Poo (Robert Felbinger) create a seemingly hopeless love triangle.

The current staging of this nineteenth century operetta integrates modern electronics, current events and original arrangements of several classic songs, including "A Wandering Minstrel, I." One scene even takes place in a Benihana-style restaurant.

Modern versions of The Mikado have been performed across the country. This production, however, promises to be different, said Noble Fool managing director Paul Botts. "What's important in updating a classic is not losing sight of the story and characters," he said. "Amy and Bonnie are acutely conscious of that balancing act, which sometimes calls for staying inbounds-and sometimes calls for bold change."

Previews of The Mikado: Version 2.005 are June 30 to July 3. The play opens Thursday, June 30 and runs through September 4, 2005. Curtain times are Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $27 - $37. Dinner show and overnight packages are also available. For tickets, call the Pheasant Run Box Office at 630-584-6342, or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Additional performance information may be obtained at www.noblefool.org.

Pheasant Run Resort & Spa also offers an exquisite buffet dinner or Sunday brunch for an additional $15 per person. Overnight resort packages include two theater tickets, breakfast or brunch, a deluxe double room and access to Pheasant Run's indoor pools and other amenities, starting as low as $174. For additional resort information and reservations, call 1-800-4-PHEASANT or visit www.pheasantrun.com.

Pheasant Run Resort & Spa and Noble Fool Theatricals Announce 2005-2006 Mainstage Theater Season

Upcoming season includes Steve Martin's Comedy Picasso at the Lapin Agile; Roasting Chestnuts: A Christmas (Carol) Gina!; Murder Mystery Accomplice; William Shakespeare's Classic Twelfth Night; and Ruthless: The Musical

June 22, 2005 - Noble Fool Theatricals and Pheasant Run Resort & Spa are proud to announce the 2005-2006 Mainstage Theater season at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, 4051 E. Main Street, St. Charles, IL. The season features Steve Martin's comedy, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, the latest chapter in Noble Fool's signature holiday musical, Roasting Chestnuts: A Christmas (Carol) Gina!, the hit murder mystery spoof, Accomplice, Shakespeare's classic comedy, Twelfth Night and the smash Broadway hit, Ruthless! The Musical.

This marks the third season of Noble Fool programming on the Mainstage Theater at Pheasant Run Resort & Spa. The 2005 - 2006 season includes:

PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE

By Steve Martin

Directed by Michael Thornton, artistic director of Gift Theatre Company of Chicago

Sneak Previews: September 14-17; Performances: September 18 - November 5

(Press Opening: Saturday, September 17)

Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso walk into a bar and meet a certain swivel-hipped singer from the future named Elvis in this hilarious hit play set at the famous "Lapin Agile" tavern in 1904 Paris. Originally presented by Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, this play by comedian Steve Martin has gone on to receive rave reviews in New York, Los Angeles and throughout the world.

N.Y. Times: "Martin sends ideas onstage in baggy pants with a cigar, mixing the sublime with the ridiculous...Very good fun."

ROASTING CHESTNUTS: A CHRISTMAS (CAROL) GINA!

Directed by Jay Skelton, music direction by Bonnie Shadrake.

Book by Amy Binns-Calvey and Bonnie Shadrake. Music and arrangements by Bonnie Shadrake. Original concept by Jimmy Binns, Amy Binns-Calvey and Bonnie Shadrake.

Sneak Previews: November 16-19; Performances: November 20 - 31. Additional performances on Tuesdays, December 6, 13, 20 and 27. No performances on November 24th, December 24th or December 25th. (Press Opening: Saturday, November 19)

Patricia Musker returns in her signature role as comic diva Gina Oswald. In this all-new script for 2005, Gina is fed up with the holidays and has decided to give up on tinsel and carols and finally open her personal Las Vegas showcase. Can the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future revive Gina's holiday spirit and keep the beloved singing and dancing Zeitgeist Zingers together?

Daily Herald: "One of those rare seasonal spoofs that sends you home full of holiday cheer."

Chicago Tribune: "A hip way to celebrate the holidays!"

ACCOMPLICE

By Rupert Holmes

Directed by Matt Reeder

Sneak Previews: January 18-21; Performances: January 22 - March 18. (Press Opening: January 21)

A sex-starved wife and her lover plan to murder her stuffy husband...or do they? We don't want to spoil the fun, but this comedy-thriller turns the murder-mystery genre inside out. The crime is committed before your eyes...or is it? There are only four characters...or are there? Whodunit? Confused? It's all part of the evening's surprises -- just don't be surprised if you haven't a clue!

USA Today: "Part murder mystery, part sex farce and completely entertaining...Suspenseful, charming and funny."

TWELFTH NIGHT

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Chicago theater veteran Nicolas Sandys.

Sneak Previews: March 29-April 1; Performances: April 2 -May 27. (Press Opening: April 1)

Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's great "golden comedies," featuring ship-wrecked identical twins lost in a strange land, a handsome love-sick Duke, a beautiful woman who has forsworn all men, a vulnerable heroine disguised as a man and a noble pirate king. In classic Shakespearean style, all the plot twists are resolved with practical jokes, bawdy wordplay and plenty of romance.

RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL

Book and lyrics by Joel Paley, music by Marvin Laird.

Directed by the creative team behind the 2003 and 2004 editions of "Roasting Chestnuts": director Bill Jenkins and musical director Bonnie Shadrake.

Sneak Previews: June 14-16; Performances: June 17 - August 19. (Press Opening: June 17)

Third grader Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking in the school musical, and will do anything to win the part -- including taking out her competition. This hilarious musical hit earned rave reviews during its long Off-Broadway run which featured a young Britney Spears in the title role. Noble Fool veteran Patricia Musker will play the key role of Tina Denmark's mother.

Variety: "A wonderfully smart and funny send-up of every Broadway brat from Gypsy to The Bad Seed...loaded with campy wit and charm."

Ticket Information:

Subscription prices start at just $100 for five plays and a dinner show option may be added for only $19 per show. The five-show subscription series ranges in price from $100 - $150. The dinner show subscription series is available from $195 - $245. Individual ticket prices range from $27 - $37 for show-only tickets to $46 - $56 for dinner show tickets.

Subscribers receive numerous benefits including a 15% discount off single ticket prices, priority seating, exchange privileges, Pheasant Run Resort discounts and 20% off regular guest room rates.

The subscription series may only be purchased through the Pheasant Run Resort & Spa box office at 630-584-6342. Individual tickets may be purchased through the box office or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 312-902-1500. Discounted rates are available for groups of ten or more by calling 630-524-5071.

For those who wish to spend the night or weekend, the resort also offers an extensive selection of packages. Starting at just $179, guests may enjoy the theater and then retire to a spacious room or upgrade to a Jacuzzi suite. Packages featuring dinner, additional entertainment options and breakfast and/or brunch the following day are available as well. Reservations are available by calling the resort at 630-584-6300 or 1-800-4-PHEASANT.

The regular Mainstage performance schedule is Wednesday through Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

For more information about the Noble Fool Theater, please visit www.noblefool.org. For information about Pheasant Run Resort & Spa, visit www.pheasantrun.com.