Oak Park Journal photo
Victory Gardens Theater
2257 North Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Famous Door Theatre Presents Midwest Premiere of the
Cider House Rules
review by Ed Vincent

"This is a thrilling drama which is both topical and timeless"
"Highly Recommended" OPJ

The adventure into the drama of "Cider House Rules" crashes into your
world with an explosion of lighting and surgery.  The drama, pathos and
philosophy of life wends its serpentine charms of knowledge into the fabric
of orphan garb. The lighting concentrating all of our attention onto  that
which beckons it, the sound adding to the illusion of many faceted scenes
are wonderfully executed with precision and art.  "An orphan or an abortion"
asks Dr. Larch rhetorically, for both the work of the Lord and the work of
the Devil are performed at St. Cloud Orphanage.

Dr. Larch, himself is a bit of damaged goods on a mission of mercy, an
obstetrician whose encounter with a woman of the streets turned out to
be a sexually transmitted disease.  He appears as something of an allegorical
angel from purgatory serving the choices of young women.  He withholds
judgement but keeps the dialogue of choice alive through the play.  In the
first part we meet many of the characters and learn to history of St. Cloud
Orphanage.  Dr. Larch, played by Larry Neuman  Jr., is more than merely
convincing or believable, he is imbued with the heart and soul of the
written character. Sharing the stage during most  of Dr. Larch's work
is the fine young actor, Dan Kuhlman,  playing the role of Homer Wells the
orphan.  Dan Kuhlman does a great job of bringing to the stage a child like
role and without make up or special effects uses his skill to bring Homer
Wells through his youth into the role of a young man.  Soon it is time for
the dinner break and there are plenty of choices in the neighborhood to
eat at and the time of the dinner is well before the crowds come.
 

Candy Kendall (Joey Honsa), Curly Day (Dan Waller), and 
Wally Worthington (Brad Eric Johnson)
Photograph by Michael Brosilow

The second portion of the play brings us all to the orchard of the
Worthingtons.  We meet Ms. Candy Kendall, played by Joey Honsa
at the end of the first part.  Ms. Honsa does a nice job in her role of
a perplexed young woman torn between two loves and a love child.
 

Peaches (Megan Sykes) and Angel Wells (Michael Stahl David)
Photograph by Michael Brosilow

On the Worthington's Orchard we meet the many seasonal apple
pickers who arrive annually to help deliver the goods to the market.
They bunk in the Cider house, and in the Cider House are the rules of
conduct.  The Cider House Rules spell out no drinking, smoking, no 
going on the roof to mention a few.  The problem for most of the workers
is that they are unable to read.  They aren't  too concerned though because
they have their own rules of conduct.  "If we could read the rules we
wouldn't need to be working here", notes a female apple picker.  The
Cider House rules, perhaps another way of saying we all make our own
rules, governed by our conscious, foretells our role in our lives with the
choices we all have to make.  The story has ether addicts who embrace
life with all its silky and thorned choices, young people growing up too
fast, at times, and others who die with shame.  This is not Opera, but this
is one heck of show sans singing.

"The Cider House Rules" being performed by Famous Door
Theatre at the Victory Gardens Theater is being shown in its
two parts, each about 3 hours in length.  When we went, we
saw parts one and two in one day and with dinner in between
you are entertained from 3:00pm until about 11:00pm.  There is
a time for dinner and a couple of breaks about every hour of
performance.
 

Candy Kendall (Joey Honsa) and Homer Wells (Daniel Kuhlman)
Photograph by Michael Brosilow

I would recommend that you see the two shows together in the one day.
It is a fun time from a great production.
 

Oak Park Journal photo

Part 1 of John living Epic Comes to Life Monday. Jan. 20:
Part 2 Begins Sunday. Feb. 16 at Victory Gardens Theatre

CHICAGO - Famous Door Theatre presents the Midwest premiere of The
Cider House Rules:

Parts 1 and 2. John Irving's best-selling masterpiece, adapted for stage by
Peter Pamell, will be presented as two separate full-length plays. Part 1
opens Monday, Jan. 20 at 6:45 p.m. and Part 2 opens Sunday, Feb. 16 at
3:30 p.m. Both will run in rotating repertory through April 6 in the
Victory Gardens upstairs mainstage theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

The Cider House Rules is an epic tale spanning 70 years and featuring 31
actors playing more than 100 characters, performed as two full-length plays.
Each is available for purchase separately, or can be seen together in the full
day Cider House Festival, which includes Part 1 in the afternoon. Part 2 in
the evening, and a special dinner in between at nearby John Barleycorn
restaurant.

Dr. Wilbur Larch runs the St. Cloud Orphanage and is mentor and father
figure to Homer Wells, an orphan who cannot get adopted. The Cider
House Rules is their story, and of Homer's struggle to find sense in a world
crowded with rules, cruelty, humor and inspiring humanity. The play's epic
reach showcases the moving complexity of living's remarkable characters,
as well as gritty social issues that remain pertinent today.

Originally conceived by Tom Hulce, Jane Jones and Pamell, The Cider
House Rules received its world premiere by the Seattle Repertory Company
in 1996. Since then, it has been produced only three other times. Famous
Door Theatre takes on the ambitious project to kick off their 15th
anniversary season."The Cider House Rules is a project that relates to the
very core of our mission of creating accessible and innovative theater with
and for the people of Chicago," Artistic Director and The Cider House
Rules Co-Director Marc Grapey states. "It's epic scope, controversial
themes and enormous scale fit perfectly with the company's strengths and
our desire to make a grand statement in our 15th anniversary season."
Famous Door ensemble member Larry Neuman, Jr. will be playing the role
of Dr. Larch, a role made famous by Academy Award Winner Michael
Caine in the 1999 motion picture of the same name, and Chicago area
newcomer Dan Kuhlman will play Homer Wells, Tobey Maguire's role
in the film. The Cider House Rules also features Famous Door ensemble
members Will Casey, Laura T. Fisher, Brad Eric Johnson, and Elaine
Rivkin. The cast also includes Laura Bailey, Craig Boyd, De Anna N.J.
Brooks, Kaitlin Byrd, David Causey, Sarah Charipar, Michael Stahl David,
Tory 0. Davis, Anthony Flemming III, Joey Honsa, Jason Kae,
Deborah Leydig, Jennifer Pompa, Elizabeth Rich, Lisa Rothschiller, Rocky
Russo,    Steve Schine, Damani Singleton, Penny Slusher, Kevin Stark,
Megan Sykes, Justine Turner, Dan Waller and Ian Westerfer. Famous Door
Artistic Director Marc Grapey and David Cromer co-direct the plays.

The design team includes Brian Bembridge, scenic designer; Famous Door
ensemble member Jeff Pines, lighting designer; and Michelle Caplan,
properties designer.

Famous Door is an ensemble of actors, directors and designers with a
reputation for producing provocative and entertaining premieres and
seldom-produced plays in an intimate environment. The company's ongoing
goal is to develop the artistic vision of its ensemble while participating
in, and providing service to, the community. In its 15 year history. Famous
Door has received great critical acclaim from local and national press. The
Chicago Sun-Times describes Famous Door as displaying "wild theatrical
daring that defines Chicago theater at its best," while the Chicago Tribune
called the ensemble "one of Chicago's best loved theater companies."
The New York Times wrote "it is hard to imagine a more entertaining
bunch."

Famous Door Theatre presents The Cider House Rules Friday through
Sunday, Jan. 17 - April 6 at the Victory Gardens upstairs mainstage theater,
2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Single tickets are $15-$32, and tickets to the Cider
House Festival, which includes Part 1 in the afternoon. Part 2 in the
evening and dinner in between at John Barleycorn are $75. Tickets are
available by calling the Victory Gardens box office at 773.871.3000. 

Subscription information is available by visiting famousdoortheatre.org.

FAMOUS    DOOR    THEATRE

Marc Grapey                         Amanda LaFollette
Artistic Director                       Managing Director
 

The Cider House Rules:

Parts I and II
Adapted by Peter Parnell
From the novel by John Irving
Conceived for the Stage by
Tom Hulce, Jane Jones, and Peter Parnell
Directed by David Cromer and Marc Grapey
Scenic Designer   Brian Sidney Bembridge
Costume Designer    Janice Pytel
Lighting Designer    Jeff Pines
Original Music and Sound Designer    Joseph Fosco
Properties Designer    Michelle Caplan
Production Manager    Brian Loevner
Technical Director    Karl Sullivan
Production Stage Manager    Sara C. Ormsby*

Patty Callahan and others ............. .Laura Bailey
Muddy ........................................ .Craig Boyd
Rose Rose ................................... .De Anna N.J. Brooks*
Grace Fowler, Loma and others ... .Kaitlyn Byrd
Ray Kendall, Station Master and others ... .Will Casey*+
Jack ......................................................... .David Causey
Mrs. Fames, Big Dot and others ............... .Sarah Charipar*
Angel and others ...................................... .Michael Stahl David
Hero ..........................................................Tory 0. Davis
Nurse Edna and others ............................. .Laura T. Fisher*+
Mr. Rose ................................................. .Anthony Flemming, III*
Candy Kendall and others ........................ .Joey Honsa
Wally Worthington and others .................. .Brad Eric Johnson*+
Grant Winkle, Herb Fowler and others ..... .Jason Kae
Homer Wells ............................................ .Daniel Kuhlman
Mrs. Draper, Olive Worthington and others .... .Deborah Leydig
Dr. Larch ................................................ ...Larry Neumann, Jr.*+
Billy Winkle, Nurse Caroline and others ......Elizabeth Rich
Nurse Angela and others ........................... .Elaine Rivkin*+
Melony ..................................................... .Jennifer Pompa
Miss Eames, Deb Petigrew and others ...... .Lisa Rothschiller
Snowy Meadows and others ..................... .Rocky Russo
Fuzzy Stone and others ............................. .Steven Schine
Wednesday .............................................. .Damani Singleton
Mrs. Grogan and others ............................ .Penny Slusher
Young Larch and others ............................ .Kevin Stark
Peaches .................................................... .Megan Sykes
Kate O'Shaughnessy and others .................. Justine C. Turner
Curly Day and others ................................. .Dan Waller
Smokey Fields, Cyrus and others ............... .Ian Westerfer

* Member of Actors' Equity Association
+ Famous Door Ensemble Member

There will be two 10 minute intermissions in each play.

The Cider House Rules Part I:           The Cider House Rules Part 2:
Here in St. Cloud's                            In Other Parts of the World 

Place                                        Place

St. Cloud's, Maine,                            St. Cloud's, Maine,
and other parts of the world,               and other parts of the world. 

Time                               Time

Act One spans fifty years.                          194_ to 195_
Act Two spans ten years.
Act Three takes place in the space of one day.
 

Founded in 1987, over the last 14 years, Famous Door has produced over
40 productions, and has been consistently lauded as one of the best acting
ensembles in Chicago. The company is known for our epic, large-scale and
often-risky productions (including Brecht's classic anti-war tale Mann 1st
Mann, the holocaust era memoir Ghetto and the political farce Early and
Often).

1987 - Company founded, first season includes: Black and Blue, Little
Murders, Close of Play

1990 - Season includes the American premiere of Salt of the Earth which
garners eight Jeff Award nominations and ultimately wins 7 Jeff Awards.
 

1992 - Permanent residence is established at the Jane Addams Center,
allowing the company to offer a full season of main stage plays, plus late
night productions. As part of the season, Hellcab is produced, beginning its
current nine-year run.

1996 - Awarded the Arts Partnership Award from the Arts and Business
Council of Chicago. Ensemble member Larry Neumann, Jr. wins the Jeff
Award for Best Actor in a Revue.

1997 - Production of The Living is wins three Jeff Awards including Best
Production, Director (ensemble member Cat MacLean) and Set Design.

1998 - Famous Door moves to the Theatre Building. Beautiful Thing by
Jonathan Harvey runs for seven months, and is subsequently transferred to
the Cherry Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway in New York City. Ensemble
member Kirsten Sahs wins the Best Actress Jeff Award for her performance
in Beautiful Thing.

1999 - Production of Ghetto by Joshua Sobol makes Top Ten Lists in a
dozen publications and runs for over 6 months. Three concurrently running
productions are listed in the Rave Column of the Chicago Tribune - at the
same time. Also during 

1999/2000, the Chicago Tribune published an unprecedented five-part
article on Famous Door.

2000 - First subscription season is presented. The production of Ghetto
receives Jeff Awards for Best Production, Director (ensemble member Cal
MacLean), and Supporting Actress.Productions of Early and Often,
Homecoming, and This Lime Tree Bower are named in the Chicago
Sun-Times "Best of the Year" list.

  2001 - After a national search, Amanda LaFollette is appointed as
Managing Director. Early and Often receives two After Dark Awards and
ensemble member Laura T. Fisher wins the Best Supporting Actress Jeff
Award. A Going Concern is Awarded two After Dark Awards and one Jeff
Nomination.

  2002 - Completed second subscription season with the critically acclaimed
production of The Lonesome West. A revival of Beautiful Thing is produced
at the Theatre on the Lake and transferred to the Chicago Center for
Performing Arts.
 
 
 

Candy Kendall (Joey Honsa) and Homer Wells (Daniel Kuhlman)
Photograph by Michael Brosilow
 
 

Oak Park Journal photo

  We suggest these neighborhood restaurants for your convenience. Show
your ticket stub to receive a
  discount!

  Aladdin, 2273 N. Lincoln Ave. — (773) 871-7327

  Alumni Club, 2251 N. Lincoln Ave. — (773) 348-5100
  $5 off dinner Fri./Sat./Sun.

  Athenian Room, 807 West Webster — (773) 348-5155

  Bacino's Pizza, 2204 N. Lincoln Ave. — (773) 472-7400
  10% off dinner or free appetizer or house salad with purchase

  Bangkok Inn, 2566 N. Lincoln — (773) 549-1600
  10% of dinner

  Bordo's, 2476 N. Lincoln Ave. — (773) 529-6900
  10% off dinner and/or 2 for 1 beverage

  Bourgeois Pig! Café, 738 W. Fullerton — (773) 883-JAVA
  10% discount with your ticket stub

  Fiesta Mexicana, 2423 N. Lincoln Ave — (773) 348-4144

  Four Farthings, 2060 N. Cleveland — (773) 935-2060

  John Barleycorn, 658 W. Belden — (773) 348-8899

  Kendalls, 2261 N. Lincoln Ave. — (773) 348-7200
  10% off dinner and/or 2 for 1 beverage

  Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, 958 W. Wrightwood — (773) 832-4030
  Show us your tickets or ticket stub and receive a free appetizer with
your Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
  order (Lincoln Park location only)

  O'Fame, 750 W. Webster — (773) 929-5111
  15% off dinner

  Rudi Fazuli's, 2442 N. Clark Street — (773) 388-0100
  20% off complete dinner menu or $20 pre-fix per-person dinner package
with free valet

  Zig Zag Kitchen, 2436 N. Lincoln Ave. — (773) 472-2222
 

  DISCOUNTED RATE (authorized with VG tickets stub or VG 
stamped garage card - for folks here for   classes or readings aka, events
not ticketed) $2.75 for the first three hours. $0.50 each additional 1/2
hour.

VALID ONLY After 5:00pm to 8:30am on weekdays. (for one night 
only at a time. Vehicles left over night for 24hours will get charged
the regular rate.) All day Sat and Sun.

Although patrons are still welcome to park in the lot on any/all
weekday matinees - THERE IS NO  DISCOUNT. The hospital traffic
is just too much to accommodate us.