Naperville community theater presents 'Kiss Me Kate'
When Matt Whalen was 11 years old, he began his theater career with Summer Place Inc.
Little did he know that 15 years later, he would return to the very stage that helped ignite his passion for the art and led him down a path that has included a bachelor's degree in musical theater and professional theater experience.
The Naperville native and current Glen Ellyn resident plays Fred/Petruchio in the Naperville community theater's production of "Kiss Me Kate," which continues its run this weekend. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7 and 8, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8 and 9, in the auditorium at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville.
The musical comedy combines Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew" and Cole Porter's memorable tunes for a "show within a show" style plot.
The show opened last weekend as the final production of the 2009 summer season.
"It seemed like there were quite a few people out there, and they were really enjoying it," Whalen said.
After starting his theater career at Summer Place in 1994, Whalen hasn't stopped doing theater. Performing in both high school and college shows, he continued to act, direct and produce through Summer Place, even serving as a board member for a time. Since then he has been working professionally throughout the Chicago area.
Returning to the place where he got his start was like coming full circle for Whalen.
"Summer Place has always had a special place in my heart," he said.
For director Michael Vaughn, working on a show anywhere near Naperville was anything but familiar. Vaughn, who recently moved to Lisle from Atlanta, has had a long career in theater acting, directing, producing and writing.
"It was just incredible for them to offer this director position for the new kid in town," he said.
When Vaughn got the call about directing "Kiss Me Kate," he wasn't familiar with the show. The show, which he describes as an "old-fashioned musical," gave him a new appreciation for Shakespeare and old-style musical theater.
Vaughn added more Shakespearean humor to the production while staying true to the script.
"I have such a strong and talented cast that they are able to really bring out the humor in the scene," he said.
Naperville resident Julie Bayer, who plays Kate/Lilly, said she was excited that Summer Place took on the challenge of the "very complex" musical because it isn't performed often. She said the production impresses with "bigger than life" characters and a cast that takes the show to another level.
Vaugn hopes that though "Kiss Me Kate" may not be widely known, audiences will take the opportunity to see what Whalen describes as a "top-notch performance."
"I just would love (for audiences) to take a chance on a musical that they might not be familiar with," Vaughn said.
If you go
What: "Kiss Me Kate," staged by Summer Place Theatre
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9
Where: Naperville Central High School auditorium, 440 W. Aurora Ave.
Tickets: $18 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, $11 for children
Info: (630) 355-7969 or summerplacetheatre.org