Summer Fun. Drama camp is a smash

By MARLENE HUNT

STAFF WRITER

Pioneer Press

July 19th 2001 

      A successful summer drama day camp for neighborhood children put a Libertyville High School senior in the spotlight with kudos from parents and even a Chicago network television station.

      For three years, 17-year-old Bob Silton, a resident of the Wineberry subdivision, has organized and run a theater camp for neighborhood children ages six through 13.

      Six weeks of hard work this summer culminated in the original stage production, “Cut and Paste,” presented Tuesday and Wednesday night before an adoring audience of parents, grandparents and friends gathered at the Studio Theater at Libertyville High School.

      The last minute switch from the Silton backyard on Plumwood Drive was due to heavy rains Tuesday, which left the grass too soggy for the actors and expected quests.

      Silton wrote this year’s 90-minute musical based on the antics of four kids trying to decide what Broadway tunes to feature in their show.

      “I got the idea of a children’s drama camp when I was a freshman and needed something to do over the summer,” Silton said.

      “The first year we sent out flyers and seven kids signed up. Then we went door-to-door and begged to get kids interested and ended up with 12 kids,” he said. “This year we had to turn them away.”

      The 33 children who attend the two-hour morning camp not only learn to sing, dance and perform enthusiastically and with confidence, but to make props and design, cut patterns and sew costumes.

      Parents looked forward to the summer camp and were disappointed to learn this week’s performances are the finale for the fledging drama camp because Silton will be entering college next fall.

      Summer camp cost $100 for each child with all the proceeds used to cover costs of props and costumes.

      “All the kids take part building props and making costumes. We purchased satins, crushed velvets and cottons and everyone helped,” he said.

      Silton’s assistants are friends from Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools who also work for the fun of it. Helping this year are Sarah Reid, an incoming senior at Vernon Hills High School, Kim Holland, a junior at Libertyville High School and Emily Ergang and Anne Gohmann, both entering their senior year at Libertyville High School.

      They charged a $3 admission charge to cover expenses associated with the production’s video taping costs and concessions.

TV coverage

 

Popular ABC television news host Harry Poterfield came to Silton’s home last week to film and narrate a news segment of the children rehearsing, which was aired on the July 12 news segment, “Someone You Should Know,” Then television anchors Diane Burns, Ran Magers and weatherman Jerry Taft, parents themselves, warmed to the special report bantering back and forth on the originality involved. They predicted it would be standing room only for the amateur theater. But evidently Taft did not foresee the rain.

      “Well they have already sold 100 tickets for each performance, “ beamed Bob’s mom Marci Silton, the day following the newscast. Then having the newscast. Then having to move the props to the school Tuesday afternoon was not an easy task. “It’s been really crazy,” she said, as the children manned telephones to advise parents and friends of the last minute change.

      But having a famous television personality at their rehearsal will probably become a standout memory among the neighborhood children’s summer fun in 2001.

      “Oh, the kids were definitely very excited,” Silton exclaimed. “We were all excited, it was a great day.”

      Wendy and Bob Guarnaccio’s four children have attended the drama camp. “Our three oldest attended all three years. For Justin, our youngest son, this is his first year,” Wendy Guarnaccio said. “They are really motivated. Our kids get up every morning and there are no complaints. They are organized, get their folders together and ride their bikes out to Bob’s house,” she marveled.

      As with other parents, the Guarnaccios are enthusiastic backers of the actual performances. “We bring the grandparents and even friends who have seen the plays before,” she said.

      Marci and Randy Silton admit the pace becomes more frantic as the actual performance near. They are very proud of their energetic and creative on drama in college. The Silton’s also have two younger sons Kevin and Brett and a daughter Kelsie. 

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Encore Presentation

Kids to stage ‘Bye Bye Birdie’; young director sets lofty goals

By Jim Newton

STAFF WRITER

The News Sun

Friday, July 12th, 2002 

      It’s a week before opening night and tension is growing in Bob Silton’s Libertyville basement

      Most of the 30-member Encore Theatre cast is running through musical numbers for their production of Bye Bye Birdie, which play at Vernon Hills High School July 17 and 18.

      The effort is there, but cues are being missed and the actors are occasionally stumbling over and forgetting lines. Is it time to crack the whip?

      Not when the cast ranges in age from 7 to 14, and Silton, the producer and director, has himself just graduated from Libertyville High School. This is not a case of a seasoned professionals mailing it in. This is a group of talented kids who need a bit more focus.

      So, like any goods coach, Silton points out the problems and asked his players to look inward for motivation

      “Maybe we should just call the show ‘come see a nice set,’” Silton says. “We’re having line problems today of all days? A week before the show? We need to kick it in full gear. What do you want to do?”

Troublesome scene

 

      The reaction is not the predictable pouting or hanging of heads. To a person, the cast members say they are willing to do a lock-in and practice all day, especially the troublesome “telephone hour” scene.

      Soon they are back at work and Silton lets on he is not as worried as it may seem.

      “You do need a lot of patience, but the great thing is they respect you. I’ve worked with some of these kids since they were 5 years old. They actually work really hard,” Silton said. “They’re very dedicated. They want to fix things.”

      Silton said he is confident that when the curtain opens July 17, his players will be ready for prime time.

      “We’ll have a dress rehearsal Tuesday at the theater. Usually dress rehearsals don’t go as well as you would like. Then it works out and the show is fine, with minimal mistakes,” he said. “It’s happened that way with every show I’ve ever done.”

      This is Silton’s fifth production with the kids, with previous performances including The Wizard of Oz, a Christmas musical and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Silton himself has acted and directed in several productions, and he plans to audition soon with Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire.

      He started the group in 1999 with eight kids. “We had to go door-to-door to beg for more.” For Bye Bye Birdie, Silton had to cut off applicants after reaching the maximum cast of 30.

Friends helping out

 

      Silton has the help of some friends – Jeff Taylor, who will be a senior at Libertyville High School next year and who built the set and will do lighting for the show, and Anne Gohmann, a Libertyville High School grad who is filling the role of stage manager.

      Taylor, who wants to go into lighting design after he graduates, has confidence in the cast.

      “They’ll pull it together. They always do, “ he said. Gohmann, who is college-bound in August, said she has helped Silton out with his productions for the past three years.

      “I really enjoy working with the kids. It’s really rewarding when it comes together and they do well,” she said.

      Two of the elder cast members, soon to be freshman at Libertyville High School, are also confident the show will go well.

      “I think it’s a little shaky right now, but we’ll gat it together,” said Eric Taylor.

      “It’s a hard musical to do, especially with little kids, “ said Kelly Spicer. “But they’re doing pretty well.”

      Encore Theatre is just one of the projects Silton is juggling in his first summer out of high school. He is also directing The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe, a one-woman show that will play in August at Libertyville High School.

      He recently staged two HIV/AIDS benefits that raised funds for Dance for Life, which helps dancers and theater people dying of AIDS, and The Children’s Place, which helps children who have HIV or AIDS.

      The Children’s Place Gala Benefit, held June 21st at Vernon Hills High School, raised $5,000 and included a special guest star – Broadway actress Danielle Ferland, a friend of Silton’s who flew in from New York to participate.

      Silton said he hopes to break into serious acting and directing circles in the Chicago area, but his ultimate goal is set even higher.

      “I’d like to go to Broadway,” he said. “That may take a while.” 

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Special encore of play to benefit The Children’s Place

BY J. HOPE BABOWICE

Daily Herald Correspondent

SUNDAY, JUNE 16th, 2002 

      The curtain will go up one more time for a one-act play directed by a Libertyville resident.

      The play, “An Endangered Species: Waking Up,” was performed during the spring at Libertyville High School and directed by 18-year-old Bob Silton.

      This time, Silton’s drama troupe, Encore Productions, is taking the stage Friday at Vernon Hills High School to raise funds for The Children’s Place Association, a Chicago-based organization that offers group home, day-care, summer camp and counseling services to Chicago-area children and their families affected by HIV and AIDS.

      Silton and the seven-member cast were shocked to learn that state funding for the organization was in question as a result of threatened budget cuts.

      “When we found out the state was thinking about cutting their money, we said we’d do it,” Silton said.

      The benefit will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Vernon Hills High School auditorium, 145 N. Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills.

      It will feature a full slate of entertainment, starting with silent auction. Broadway entertainer Danielle Ferland will sing and tell stories. Ferland has performed in the Stephen Sondheim production “Into the Woods.” Also featured will be the Libertyville High School boy’s gymnastics team.

      Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children, students and seniors, and can be purchased through Encore Productions at (847) 549-8241. Donations can be mailed to 1423 Plumwood Drive, Libertyville, IL 60048.

      Silton, whose youth belies the experience he’s developed as a director and producer of eight shows, learned about The Children’s Place Association from Libertyville resident and Wheeling High School dance director Diane Rawlinson, who has led annual youth dance benefits for AIDS-related organizations.

      Silton and cast members K.C. Kowal, Miles Metcoff, Justin Corcoran, Keely Bannon, Sabrina Mazza, Torie Kurr and Katie Rasmussen dedicated their spring one-act show, in which one of the characters reveals an HIV-positive diagnosis, to The Children’s Place. Donations netted $300, which the performers hand-delivered to the organization.

      “It’s great to see young people getting involved, doing things for their community,” said Dan Dever, development director of The Children’s Place Association.

      The organization runs a group home and a separate day-care/counseling services facility in Chicago and will be opening a third building next year. While construction costs have been met, the organization has a shortfall of operating expenses.

      “The number of children born with HIV/AIDS has dropped dramatically in the last few years. But the number of women being affected by HIV is growing every year, especially young women in the African-American and Hispanic communities,” Dever said.

      The new facility is under construction on the South Side of Chicago. It will be called The Children’s Place at Vision House. Vision House offers supportive housing for people with HIV and AIDS.

      The Children’s Place at Vision House will offer day-care, family counseling and case management services. It is expected to serve about 60 children and 30 families and cost upward of $1 million annually to operate. The organization is applying for grants but will be in need of additional funds to meet its goal.

      “We’ve applied for Head Start federal funding and received a grant from the city of Chicago. About 75 percent of our day-care program is being funded by the state. It’s unclear if the state will provide the operating expenses,” Dever said.

      The organization relies heavily on volunteers for office work, to assist with-raisers and to participate in activities with the children. In addition to funding, the organization seeks foster and adoptive parents for the children it serves. School groups have raised funds and donated new toys and “gently” used clothing for adults and children served by the organization.

      For more information about the Children’s Place Association, call (773) 826-1230.

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Encore! Encore!

Theater troupe going outdoors for ‘Into The Woods’ production

By Frank Abderholden

STAFF WRITER

The News Sun. GO Section

Thursday, August 7th, 2003 

      Producer, director, artistic director, and actor Bob Silton got his start in his own backyard, but he will be breaking new ground next week when he plays in the great outdoors of Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.

      His acting troupe, Encore Theatre, will be the first to present a play in the stage at the Lake County Forest Preserve District’s Plaza where new summer series of musical entertainment this year has proved to be very popular.

      “We have been averaging 1,000 people,” said Sandy Meyer, program manager for Independence Grove.

      “(Encore) will be wrapping up the season and we’re really excited about it. They do a splendid job,” she said, adding that the forest preserve district did not want to just have a music series at the Plaza. She saw a tape of the children’s troupe doing Bye Bye Birdie and she knew it would be a good fit.

Three-night run

      This is the first time a play will be performed at the park and it will have a three night run on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Aug. 12-14, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the circular stone stage called the Plaza.

      “It’s not a theatre in the round and it’s not a regular stage, but it should be all right,” said Silton.

      “It’s definitely going to be a new experience for us,” he said, such as building a set for a venue with a 360-degree view.

      The name of the play is Into The Woods. It was written by James LaPine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was originally directed on Broadway in New York by LaPine. 

      The play involves a number of children’s story characters like the childless baker and his wife, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and his bean stalk.

      Silton said Act 1 stays in fairy tale land. The second act becomes more like real life where there is “death and adultery,” he said.

      “I think it’s going to be a good show. I’m very excited,” he said. Silton said they originally were looking to perform at the Arbor Theatre in Vernon Hills, but that never worked out.

      This year his production company has done an array of shows starting with Rebecca Gilman’s Boy Gets Girl, which was performed in the Vernon Hills High School Theater.

      Then there was the second annual Children’s Place Gala-Benefit on June 27 that benefits children with HIV/AIDS. It was especially important to raise funds this year because the state did not fund them to the extent they have in the past.

      “I think we raised a little over $4,000 this year,” Silton said. The troupe has also contributed to Dance For Life, an other HIV/AIDS benefit for dancers and theater people dying of the disease.

      This season was rounded out with a production of Annie Jr. and finally next week’s Into The Woods.

      The music director for next week’s play is Jeff Johnson, who was able to get the Queen of Peace Church in North Chicago for rehearsals.

Backyard beginnings

      The theater group has its roots in Silton’s backyard in Libertyville’s Wineberry subdivision.

      “We started off in our backyard, went to Libertyville High School and then Vernon Hills,” he said, the latter being the perfect venue size-wise. His partner in his theater madness was Katie Monahan. Encore has also performed Gift of the Magi, at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens in Vernon Hills.

      In 1999 they hit upon the idea of starting a day camp for children from kindergarten to fifth grade to give them a chance to experience play production from start to finish.

      They ended up getting a total of 13 kids, but they literally begged some neighborhood kids to join so they had enough to do the play The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a set made of boxes and shower curtains. It was a success. 

      “We had about 60 people in the backyard in lawn chairs,” Silton said. His sister, Kelsie, has stayed active, but not his brothers Brett and Kevin.

      The following summer they did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the quickly filled the 19 acting spots for the production.

      In 2000 the theater group gained some Chicagoland notoriety when they were featured by television’s Harry Potorfield on his Someone You Should Know feature.

      It was the group’s first indoor production at Libertyville High School and it was Silton’s first original musical that he directed. It was called Cut & Paste and was a compilation of popular Broadway show tunes.

      After graduating high school, Silton took one year off to decide what direction he wanted to take. He is enrolled in Columbia College in Chicago studying arts management and administration, learning to manage anything from an art gallery to a television station.

      He hopes he can break into Chicago’s vibrant theater scene through acting and directing and eventually make it to Broadway in New York. “It doesn’t seem odd to me what I do. I’m doing what I like to do, I don’t see it as being unique.

      “I’m like anyone else who likes what they do,” he said 

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Encore! Encore!

A teen-age director returns with another production

By Matthew Pais

STAFF INTERN

Pioneer Press. The Libertyville Review

Thursday, June 19th, 2003 

      At 19, Bob Silton has already founded his own theater, but don’t try telling him that he is unique.

       “I think a lot of teenagers do their own thing,” said Silton, a member of Libertyville High School’s class of 2002. “This just happens to be my thing.”

      In the last four years, Silton’s “thing” has been known as B.K.S.M., the company has staged productions of shows performed by and for children including “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

      This summer’s schedule opens Friday and Saturday at Vernon Hills High School with an adult drama, “Boy Gets Girl,” a play by Rebecca Gilman that debuted in February 2000, at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Next up: children’s production of “Annie” July 17th and 18th at Vernon Hills High School, and an adult show, “Into The Woods” Aug. 12th, 13th, and 14th, at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville.

      On June 27th, Silton will also host the theatre’s second benefit for the Children’s Place Association, a Chicago-based safe-house for children afflicted with HIV/AIDS. The evening will include performances of show tunes and original monologues.

       Last year’s benefit raised $5,000 for the organization, which is set to lose $786,000 in state funding as of July 1st.

Off with ‘Oz’

      According to Silton, the theatre began just as “something to do,” but growing community interest kept the group going.

       For “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” the company’s first summer camp production, Silton went door-to-door recruiting children. Parents were skeptical, he said, but the finished product had them convinced of his abilities.

      Most of the shows feature children in 8th grade and younger, who Silton said can be more rewarding to work with than adults. “I think you learn more working with kids,” he said. “Kids work harder than a lot of adults. They’re very determined to get it right.”

      Carol Di Vincenzo’s 11-year-old daughter, Jennifer, has performed with the theatre since it’s founding in 19999. She says the experience has increases her daughter’s self-esteem.

       “She’s learned how to get up in front of an audience,” Di Vincenzo said. “I think every year the plays get better.”

      Though the young performers’ attention spans wane at times, Silton said they often act beyond their years. “One of the best comments to get after a show is, “I forgot they were kids,” he said. “The kids respect me, and I respect them, so we get the work done.”

       “Boy Gets Girl” is an adult-oriented production, performed by actors ranging in age from freshman in high school to freshman in graduate school.

      The production features Brett Rosenberg, 20, of Chicago as the Boy and Liz Vital, 20, of Libertyville as the Girl.

      Angela Messerli, 20, Carley Reiff, 16, Kelly Spicer, 15, and John Bezdek, 19, all of Libertyville, and Nick Mills, 22, of Bloomington, Ind., round out the cast.

A dark plot

      Silton said the play’s dark plot, which involves the stalking of a young woman after a blind date, will challenge the audience. “It’s not a musical, so it’s not all fun and games,” Silton said. “It’s thought-provoking, edge-of-your-seat entertainment.”

      According to Vital, the play is full of “interesting issues,” and she is excited to see how the audiences will respond. “Boy Gets Girl” speaks strongly to Silton, a self-proclaimed fan of Gilman.

       “Certain scripts, when you read them, you think ‘I have to do this one day,’ “ he said. Months after placing himself on a waiting list to receive the rights to the play, Silton will finally bring the show to the stage of Vernon Hills High School this weekend.

       He said he hopes “Boy Gets Girl” will make people think. “I don’t care if people hate it, as long as they have an opinion,” he said.

Summer matinee

      Silton has been running his own show since 1999, when he and Katie Monahan founded B.K.S.M. (Bob and Katie’s Summer Matinee). Monahan left the theater after one season, and Silton continued. He changed the name to Encore Theater in 2001 after people on the street encouraged him to keep going.

       “They said their kids enjoyed it,” Silton said. “I think people view the plays the same way as if they were going to see them professionally, only the actors are smaller.”

      Now he is amazed at how far his creation has come. As he watches the actors bring his plays to life on a stage with actual sets, props and costumes, Silton said he is reminded of the days when performances were held in the backyard.

       Sitting in his basement, surrounded by dozens of theatrical posters, Silton ponders the meaning of his experience with the Encore Theatre.

      “I think if I didn’t do the theatre, I wouldn’t know what I want to do,” he said.

      He is contemplating taking some time off to travel or go to college, but Silton promises that a sabbatical will not be the end of the Encore Theatre.

      “I can’t picture not having done this,” he said. “I plan on doing it for the rest of my life.” 

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Encore’s ‘Sister’ act

By Terry Loncaric

CONTRIBUTOR

Libertyville Review, Pioneer Press

Thursday, December 2nd, 2004 

      Bob Silton, the founder of Libertyville’s Encore Theatre, is always searching for simple, heartfelt dramas.

      “With every play, we want to bring the audience on the same level as the actors, so the audience feels apart of the show,” Silton says. “the great thing about doing shows at The Adler Center is you can do plays that are low budget, but intimate, and character based.”

      Silton is always looking for “thought-provoking scripts,” and launches Encore’s season Friday in its new home – The Adler Center – with “Jerry Finnegan’s Sister,” jack Neary’s touching comedy of frustrated romance.

      As Brain Dowd, the story’s protagonist, flashes back on his life, he reflects on all the little moments that fuel his slow-simmering romance with Beth Finnegan, his best friends sister, and the girl-next-door. Brain and Beth grow up in the same neighborhood, but go through life carefully skating around their feelings for one another.

      Libertyville’s Carley Reiff and Chicago’s Brett Rosenberg are the play’s co-stars. Silton says he loves directing a relationship piece with only two characters.

      “You have a lot more time to develop the characters because you can have long conversations about the scenes with the actors,” says the Libertyville director. “Brett’s great at engaging the audience, and getting them ready for the next scene. Carley’s great at finding qualities of other people around her and bringing them to the stage.” Beth and Brian age from 6 to 23 during the play.

Missing their cues

      Brian can’t find the right words or moment; it seems, to tell Beth he loves her. Beth has a hard time looking at Brain romantically because she has only known him as the neighborhood boy who always teases her.

      “Beth starts dating other guys, he dates other girls,” Silton reveals. “Brain keeps missing opportunities to tell Beth he loves her. And Beth keeps drooping hints, hoping Brain will make the first move. They fight a lot, and end up going to the movies a lot.”

      As with all romantic struggles, Beth and Brain run away from what seems inevitable.

      Then one day, something finally happens and Brian realizes he may lose Beth, if he doesn’t confront his feelings.

      “Timing is everything in this splay,” Silton emphasizes. “There are so many dramatic pauses in their conversations that mean something. This is a very natural piece – that’s what makes it so real to the actors.”

      Silton loves the life-affirming massages in this straightforward play. “Everybody ay one time or another has had a struggle in romance – just like Brain and Beth,” he says. “I like to do new pieces that ill give the audience something to think about. What people are going to leave this play thinking about is, true love is out there. It could be miles away, or it could be right next-door.” 

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Return performance

Former high school actors, friends join Encore Theatre troupe for ‘Cabaret’

By Christina Dreher

STAFF WRITER

The News Sun. GO section

Thursday, July 29th, 2004 

      “Oh, rehearse? All the time, even in the car, I’ve got all may parts on tape,” said Sam Grabarski, an actor in Cabaret, a production that will be presented at Vernon Hills High School by Encore Theatre on Aug. 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14.

      An unlikely prospect for a lead role, Grabarski is back on stage for the first time since high school, 20 years ago. “I guess I just needed a nudge,” said Grabarski about how at his high school reunion he ran into his old director’s wife who urged him to audition.

      “I’ve been acting on and off for 50 years, well, since, I was a kid,” said Bruce Pagni, Grabarski’s old high school drama teacher who also plays a main character in Cabaret. “I’m nervous because I haven’t performed for about six years.”

      Encore Theatre normally presents performances with actors from Libertyville High School and the surrounding area. Now the production has a strong group of prior mentors and friends to solidify the poignant story in Cabaret.

Love story

      Set in Berlin just before Hitler’s rise to power, the play revolves around a cabaret performer, Sally who falls in love with Cliff. Their relationship is deeply affected by the surrounding turmoil. Another tragic relationship that blooms is between a German woman, Schneider, and her Jewish suitor, Schultz. All of these characters are connected by the Kit Kat Klub, the nightclub where Sally sings. The emcee and dance choreographer is Iam Liberto.

      The main players of the story are Sally, played by Megan Haran, 19, of Lake Forest; Cliff, played by Sam Grabarski, 38, of Gurnee; the older couple Schneider and Schultz played respectively by Rosemary Monahan and Brice Pagni. The age of performers ranges between 15 and 62 years old in this play, with the Kit Kat group setting the scene of the club composed of teens and young adults.

      “It’s a dark show, the story is more heartfelt, said Bob Silton, founder of Encore Theatre and from Libertyville, who originally wanted to do the musical Chicago because of the jazz. He has come along way from when he first started working on shows six years ago, while still in high school.

      As a college student, he said, “We have more experience now and are more well known.”

      “When we were just starting out it was hard to even get rentals for the costumes,” said Silton. He first worked with Jeff Johnson, musical director of Cabaret, as a 14-year-old playing the part of Pontius Pilate.

      Johnson is using his experience to lead the Kander and Ebb songs that are full of real passion. “Its not overly difficult music to sing, but from a character’s standpoint it is because you really have to feel the emotions,” said Johnson. With all of the songs being real character songs, the audience relies on learning about the Kit Kat girls and boys of the club through their songs because they don’t have ant dialogue, according to Johnson.

      “This is a real period show. Since it is the revival, it is a bit more risqué than the original version,” said Johnson. “There are a lot more political and sexual innuendoes – it’s an adult show, with no profanity.”

      Leah Jurevicius, costume designer, from Libertyville, knows Silton from high school. “We’ve been rehearsing since June, so actually it’s pretty short” said Jurevicius about the amount of time they all have to prepare.

      With rehearsal for some happening everyday, preparation becomes a major event ad opening night approaches.

      “I’m very nervous” said Grabarski. “But we’ve got such a great cast, I don’t want to be the weal link of the group.” Grabarski, who thinks it’s daring to put on a show like this with the racial implications – the Nazi and Jew struggle – admits that it’s not a feel good story, but more of a power struggle.

      “It shows the power of change. If we’re not paying attention, it can be a very negative thing,” aid Monahan, who plays the role of Schultz’ lover. “This show has a lot of staying power, every generation can take something from this. You know, substitute Iraq for Germany, Hitler for Saddam.”

      Schneider may be a modern woman who is very independent, but, according to Monahan, that independence fades by the end of the show. Unlike her fictitious character, Monahan independently shares why she is acting. “I do this for fun. It’s what provides balance.”

      “Nothing had been rehearsed at home in front of my family – they’ll see the show and everything for the first time, said Grabarsji.

      A lot of experience is hidden behind the fresh-looking faces of those who are rediscovering something they used to love to do. All performers and even some family members will have to wait until Aug. 6 to watch the tumultuous tale unfold. 

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Encore! Encore!

Theater group, cultural center combine talents for series of plays

By Jim Newton 
STAFF WRITER  
The News Sun

Thursday, November 25th, 2005 

      Libertyville – A unique opportunity to see live theater in an intimate, historical surroundings is unfolding.

      The David Adler Cultural Center is partnering with Libertyville-based Encore Theatre to present an annual series of plays, beginning early next month. The plays will be presents in the cultural center’s Historic Ballroom, which can seat an audience of 40 to 50 depending on the production.

      It all kicks off Dec. 3, 4, and 5 with a production of Jack Neary’s Jerry Finnegan’s Sister, a popular, feel-good romantic comedy that touches on the bittersweet awkwardness of that first crush, which so often remains unrequited.

      In Encore’s production, the two-person play will feature Brett Rosenberg as a somewhat nerdy Brian Dowd, who is head-over-heels in love with his best friend’s sister Beth (played by Carley Reiff), a cheerleader type who lives next door and is unaware of Brian’s feelings as they grow from kids to young adults.

      “It’s one of those stories that can happen anytime, anywhere,” said Bob Silton, producer and director of Encore Theatre, which he founded in 1999 while still a student at Libertyville High School.

      Silton said the play encompasses the awkwardness of growing up, going to school and dating, which can be a breeze for some and agony for others. “Whether you are 85 or 12, you get a connection.” Silton said.

      The play will be followed in early March with Nagle Jackson’s Taking Leave, a drama about the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease that Silton says is a modern version of King Lear, and in June with David Auburn’s Tony Award-winning Proof.

      Silton said producing plays at the Adler Center is a great opportunity for both Encore Theatre, which hosts its larger productions at Vernon Hills High School, and the cultural center.

      “The cultural center has great music programs. For us to join with them to bring thought-provoking theater to the community is a great teamwork effort.” Silton said. “It’s such an historic build and a cool little room.”

      Cultural Center Program Director Troy Anderson is also enthused.

      “I’m really excited about,” Anderson said, adding that it allows the center to help encourage local art productions and to draw new people to the center.

      Anderson said last year Silton used the center for a one-show performance of the drama The Guys, which focuses on the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York City, and that led to the idea of an annual theatrical series.

      “We both had the same idea and it came together. He’s right here in our back yard and we have a wonderful room to do it in,” Anderson said of the center’s ballroom. “The neat thing about it is it’s very intimate.” 

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Anything for love

Troupe to perform play about relationships at Adler Center

By Amie Shak

STAFF WRITER

The Daily Herald Neighbor Section

Monday, November 29, 2004 

      It’s a story most everyone can relate to – love and the frustration that comes along with it. Encore Theatre and The David Adler Cultural Center will present “Jerry Finnegan’s Sister,” by Jack Neary, directed by Bob Silton, at The David Adler Cultural Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

      Brett Rosenberg of Chicago plays Brain Dowd, who has spent the past 10 years of his life in love with his best friend’s sister, Beth Finnegan, who lives next door. Beth, played by Carley Reiff of Libertyville, is about to get married, so Brain realizes it’s time to step up to the plate and let his feelings for her be known. After 10 years of awkward moments and embarrassing situations due to his feelings for her, it’s now or never. The play shows the two from ages 7 and 6, through the teen years, and up until the present, when they are in their early 20s. Director Silton says the subject is one in which many can relate.

      “The one thing that drew me to the production (of this play) is the fact of how simple and real it is. Everyone has a crush when they’re little, the boy or girl next door… the whole idea that your true love could be next door and you never go and tell her.”

      Although the play is set when two are in their early 20s, the play does not cater to a certain group. “It plays nicely with all ages, there’s not a lot of modern humor,” Silton said.

      Encore Theatre, 1423 Plumwood Drive in Libertyville, has teamed up with the David Adler Cultural Center for this production, which is important in the community.

      “It’s way that two cultural organizations in the community cam come together and work as one,” Silton said. The two are teaming up to do three shows between December and June and expect to team up in 2006 for a presentation each season.

      Tickets cast $15 and $12 for students and seniors. For tickets, call (847) 367-0707. 

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Curtain call for ‘Stagedude’

Local theater director will be moving on after this weekend’s Junior Encore production

By Frank Abderholden

STAFF WRITER

The News Sun

Thursday, July 13, 2006 

“Boom! A big pose like that. Boom!” So says Bob Silton as he directs the young actors of Junior Encore for their final pose at the end of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast that opens today at Vernon Hills High School Theater. 

At another point during practice this week at the Libertyville Civic Center, Silton pushed his young charges. “We open in two days. Try it again,” he said, jotting down notes with a red pen as the troupe rehearsed in front of him. “What did we say about that part? It starts quiet and then gets louder and louder and louder. But I can’t hear a word you guys are saying, and then Belle! That’s the only word. If I were Belle I’d be crying,” he said. So they did it again and they were better. 

Silton has made a name for himself by directing and producing shows with his own theater companies: Junior Encore and encore Theatre. He is known as “stagedude1” to the media because of his e-mails promoting his shows that have been performed at Libertyville and Vernon Hills High School theaters, Independence Grove’s outdoor theater and the David Adler Cultural Center in Libertyville.  

Now at the ripe old age of 23, Silton is going to retire this regular theater gig that he started long ago in his backyard with neighborhood kids, and that led to Channel 7’s Harry Porterfield featuring him on Someone You Should Know in 2001. “He called me up. He made that call personally. That impressed me.” Said Silton, who was 16 at the time. Then the backyard play sets were made out of old cardboard boxes and shower curtains.  

Does he miss those days? “I much prefer the theater. You have the lights and when you walk in it’s a whole different feeling.” He said. Plus, you can buy neat things for the production like a giant plant for Little Shop of Horrors. From New York that he said was really impressive. “We lucked out and got a great plant,” he said of the man-eating plan that grew in size until it could gulp a whole actor. 

The troupe made their jump to the theater when one of their backyard productions in the Wineberry subdivision got flooded out. Silton frantically called to find a replacement venue and Libertyville High School opened its theatre doors. “Ever since then we’ve been renting theaters,” he said, “Theater makes it come alive.” 

“There’s probably been over 30 productions,” he said. Silton appeared in his first part at Highland Middle School and has played supporting roles in various productions since then. “I prefer not to be in a show I’m directing, but occasionally you have to,” he said. 

But the time and effort that goes into his productions has made it hard for him to take time and find a direction in life. He recently managed a local restaurant and found it interesting until it went out of business. “I’m not sure yet. I really haven’t decided,” he said of his plans after Encore. “Maybe get into the corporate arena or get my teaching degree. I’d like to teach and I am looking at that right now,” he said.  

Besides the theater, he has also worked for charities like the Children’s Place Gala that benefits children with HIV/AIDS. He has also been involved in Dance For Life, another HIV/AIDS benefit for dancers and theater people dying of the disease. “I’d like to work with them again. All three benefits we raised over $10,000,” he said. 

So maybe Bob doesn’t know exactly what to do next, but the odds are whatever he dives into, people will want an encore. Break a leg, Stagedude.

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