OGLESBY — The Illinois Valley Community College theatre department will present its fall production of “Something Wicked This Way Comes” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.
“Something Wicked” is adapted from Ray Bradbury’s short story and Bradbury himself wrote this stage adaption.
The depression-era tale follows two boys and Midwestern townspeople as they are lured by impossible dreams to “Cooger and Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show,” a mysterious carnival with dark secrets. With dreams of regaining lost youth, beauty, and promises, they discover the cost of wishes can be the stuff of nightmares.
The cast includes Chad Brokaw of Princeton as Lightning Rod Salesman, Adam Paden of Peru as Will Halloway, Patrick Foley of Mendota as Jim Nightshade, Steve Seaborn of Peru as Mr. Halloway, Griffin Tabor of Oglesby as the Policeman, John Megow of Dana as Crosetti, Jake Jakielski of Marseilles as Mr. Dark, Tricia Kelly of Oglesby as the older Miss Foley, Ashley Hurst of Peru as Mrs. Halloway, Sarah Hunter of LaMoille as Jim’s Mom, Alexis Trammel of Ottawa as Young Miss Foley/Ice Woman, Erik Aguilar of Mendota as Cooger/Electrico and Summer Hoagland-Abernathy of Ottawa as Dust Witch and Denise Weik of Tonica as Mrs. Tetly.
Townspeople and Circus Freaks are played by Jessica Filbeck of Ladd, Ella Johns of LaSalle, Téa Lamboley of Tonica, Kyle May of Spring Valley, Olivia Heinzeroth of LaMoille, as well as Chad Brokaw, Griffin Tabor, John Megow, Ashley Hurst, Sarah Hunter, Erik Aguilar and Denise Weik.
“This show is perfect for the Halloween season; it’s dark and sinister and our student and community actors get the chance to really flex their acting abilities,” show director Don Grant Zellmer said.
“In addition to great acting, spectators will see impressive lighting and effects,” he added. “This is the first production in the newly-completed Dr. Weeg Cultural Centre and we can’t wait to show it off to everyone.”
Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to showtime and are $15 or $10 for children 12 years and under. IVCC students and employees get in free with ID.