Citadel Theatre has announced the cast and production team for its upcoming production of the sharp and provocative satire ADMISSIONS, by playwright Joshua Harmon, author of the recent critical and popular hit PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. ADMISSIONS centers on Sherri Rosen-Mason, the head of admissions at a prestigious New England prep school, who is passionately committed to increasing diversity in the student body. But when her own son is deferred from Yale while his Black best friend is accepted, Sherri and her husband—also the school’s headmaster—are forced to confront the uncomfortable gap between their ideals and their personal ambitions.
This bold play, which premiered in 2018 at New York City’s Lincoln Center Theatre and was produced in London the following year, won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, is designed to spark conversation about this timely topic long after the curtain falls. TIMEOUT NEW YORK’s Adam Feldman wrote, “The nuanced and competing truths in Harmon’s 90-minute play are like a first act that dares its spectators to create a second out of post-show conversations.” ADMISSIONS will be directed by Beth Wolf, the director who led Citadel’s SILENT SKY and OUTSIDE MULLINGAR to Jeff Award nominations for Best Production of a Play – Midsize and Best Direction of a Play and recently named of one NEW CITY STAGE’s “50 Players Who Really Perform.” ADMISSIONS will open on February 13 following previews on February 11 and 12 and play through March 15.
Wolf’s cast will be led by Susie Steinmeyer as the admissions head Sheri Rosen-Mason. Steinmeyer returns to Citadel, where her past credits include LEND ME A TENOR, VANYA, SONYA, MASHA, AND SPIKE; JAKE’S WOMEN, and GOD OF CARNAGE. Tim Walsh, another Citadel veteran, will play her husband, Bill. Walsh has appeared at Citadel in IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, THE LITTLE FOXES, and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Justin Jarzombek, whose credits include roles in the feature films GRIMCUTTY and Disney +’s AMERICAN BORN CHINESE, as well as the TV series CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM; has been cast as their son who hopes to attend Yale University.
Tina Shelley, an understudy in Citadel’s SILENT SKY, directed by Beth Wolf, is set to play Ginnie Peters, mother of Charlie’s friend who has already been accepted to Yale. Completing the five-person cast is Jeff Award winner and four-time nominee Elaine Carlson. Carlson will appear as Roberta, a Development Department staffer in the prep school who clashes with Sheri over racial diversity in recruitment materials. Carlson was seen most recently in GLASSHEART at City Lit Theater. Understudies are Robert Frank (u/s Charlie Mason), Kelly Levander (u/s Sheri Rosen-Mason), John Dooley (u/s/ Bill Mason), Jennifer Ruffner (u/s Ginnie Peters), and Nancy Greco (u/s Roberta).
Top Row: Susie Steinmeyer, Tim Walsh, Justin Jarzombek
Bottom Row: Tina Shelley, Elaine Carlson
The ADMISSIONS production designers are Bob Knuth (Set Designer), Danielle Reinhardt (Costume Designer), Michael Trudeau (Lighting Designer), Stephanie Senior (Sound Designer), and Reilly Duffy (Props Designer). The production team led by Production Managers Scott and Ellen Phelps also includes Abby Truett (Stage Manager), Mitchell Pollitt (Master Carpenter), and Alex Trinh (Run Crew).
Tickets priced at $45 are now on sale at www.citadeltheatre.org. Citadel Theatre is in residence in the West Campus of the Lake Forest School District at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Further information and ticketing are available on the company’s website at www.citadeltheatre.org.
LISTING INFORMATION
ADMISSIONS
By Joshua Harmon
Directed by Beth Wolf
Friday, February 13 - Sunday, March 15, 2026
(Previews February 11 and 12 @ 7:30 pm)
Press Opening Friday, February 13 at 7:30 pm
Thursdays*, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Wednesday matinees at 1 pm on February 25 and March 1.
- Understudy performance on Thursday, March 12
Preview ticket prices $20 plus $2 ticketing fee. Regular run prices $45.00 plus $3.00 ticketing fee. Discounts available for groups, seniors and students.
Citadel Theatre, located in the West Campus building of the Lake Forest School District, 300 S. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest, IL.
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
At an elite prep school, Sherri Rosen-Mason is leading the charge for change—until her own son’s Ivy League dreams put her ideals to the test. This sharp, compelling drama digs into the lengths we’ll go to protect our children, and the complicated truths that surface when personal stakes get too close to home.
BIOS
Beth Wolf (Director) is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of Midsommer Flight, where she has directed eleven Shakespeare plays in Chicago parks since the company's founding in 2012, including this summer’s critically acclaimed production of LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. Her productions of SILENT SKY and OUTSIDE MULLINGAR at Citadel were both nominated for Best Production and Best Direction of Play (Midsize) in the 2022 and 2024 Jeff Awards. Other credits include THE BOOK OF WILL (Promethean Theatre Ensemble), THE SUFFRAGE PLAYS at Artemisia, THE ROOMMATE at Citadel Theatre (Equity Jeff Recommended), and NON-PLAYER CHARACTER at Red Theater (2020 Non-Equity Jeff nomination for Projection Design). Wolf is set to direct the new musical SCARAMOUCHE at City Lit Theater this coming Spring.
Joshua Harmon (Playwright) is a celebrated American playwright known for his sharp wit, emotional depth, and fearless exploration of identity, family, and social dynamics. Most recently, his play PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, a multigenerational drama about Jewish identity and safety in France, won multiple awards and earned a 2024 Tony nomination. His breakout play, BAD JEWS, became one of the most-produced plays in the U.S. during the 2014–2015 season, earning critical acclaim and international stagings. He followed with SIGNIFICANT OTHER, a poignant comedy about friendship and loneliness, which premiered Off-Broadway and later transferred to Broadway. Harmon’s other notable works include SKINTIGHT (2018), a provocative look at beauty, aging, and love. Raised in New York, Harmon studied at Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon, and Juilliard, where he trained under renowned playwrights like Christopher Durang and Marsha Norman.
Scott Phelps (Artistic Director) is in his 23rd year as the Artistic Director at Citadel. He’s acted in and directed dozens of Citadel productions over the last decade and a half since founding this North Shore theatre in 2002 with his friend and lifelong companion, Ellen, with whom he recently co-starred in Citadel’s production of MISERY. In 2023, he starred in the leading role of Pastor Paul in THE CHRISTIANS. He has acted/directed in NYC, and in his home state of California; trained as an actor at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, CA; received his BFA from the University of Utah and did an apprenticeship at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. For 18 years Scott worked for a promotional company and raised his three daughters and his son in Lake Forest. Recently he has been taking on the next chapter of his life — the role of “Beepa” to his grandchildren. Although he is unsure if he is old enough to play that part, he’s been enjoying the challenge.
Citadel Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s premier live theatres, producing hundreds of performances annually and inspiring audiences for nearly 24 years. Founded by Scott and Ellen Phelps in 2002, Citadel Theatre is comprised of its Main Stage performances and its theatre acting classes for children. A proud member of the League of Chicago Theatres and the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff ArtsLink, Citadel Theatre offers a unique intimate theatre experience that transports you to another setting and leaves you feeling exhilarated and wanting more. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Citadel can accept tax-deductible donations. For more information, ticketing, and to donate, please visit Citadel online at www.CitadelTheatre.org or call 847.735.8554.