Citadel Theatre will conclude its season with AIRNESS, a comedy set in the world of air guitar competitions, written by Chelsea Marcantel, a 2021 winner of the Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre. Cast and creative team were announced today.
When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there's more to this art form than playing pretend; it's about finding yourself in your favorite songs and performing with raw joy. Will Nina be able to let go and set herself free onstage? Following her mission to shred or be shredded, AIRNESS is an exuberant reminder that everything we need to rock is already inside us. A comedy about competition, completion, and finding the airness inside yourself. Joe Lehman, who helmed Citadel’s 2021 production of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, is directing this hit from the 2019 Humana Festival which has since enjoyed productions all over the US. TwinCities.com/Pioneer Press of Minneapolis St Paul said of it , “…it’s a comedy. But it’s also a really well-crafted play, full of richly detailed characters with offbeat wisdom to share about getting in touch with yourself and your tribe.” AIRNESS will open Friday, April 21 at 7:30 pm (following previews on April 19 and 20), and play through Sunday, May 21.
Julia Rowley, whose resume includes stage credits with The Second City, iO, CIC, Theatre Above the Law, PrideArts, Promethean Theatre Ensemble, The Factory Theatre, and Red Theater; will lead the cast as Nina. Neil Stratman, who played the title role in Citadel’s YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN will be Facebender. Sierra White*, who has played such roles as Ruth Younger in A RAISIN IN THE SUN and Mama Morton in CHICAGO, is playing Cannibal Queen. Destin Lorde Teamer (Richmond in Promethean’s RICHARD III) has been cast as Golden Thunder. Evan Cullinan (of Metropolis’s NOISES OFF) will be Shreddy Eddy, and Will Leonard (who has appeared in national tours of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS is set to play D Vicious. Katherine Abel (Titania/Theseus in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with Big Noise Theatre) will play Announcer and Sprite Exec and understudy the roles of Nina and Cannibal Queen. Additional understudies are Audrey Fosson (Cannibal Queen), Marquis Bundy (Golden Thunder, Announcer), Steven Labine (Shreddy Eddy ad Facebender), Brandon Beach (D Vicious, Shreddy Eddy), and Philip Macaluso (Announcer, Facebender, and D Vicious).
Top Row (L-R): Katherine Abel, Evan Cullinan, Will Leonard, Julia Rowley
Lower Row (L-R): Neil Stratman, Destin Lorde Teamer, Sierra White
The production team includes Eric Luchen (Set Design), Cindy Moon (Costume Design), Joe Klamerus (Lighting Design), Jonesy Jones (Sound Design), Isabella Noe (Props Design), Ellen Phelps* and Scott Phelps* (Production Managers), Jessica Greenhoe* (Stage Manager), Jason Clark (Master Carpenter), Anna Petersen (Scenic Artist, Run Crew), Jake Ganzer (Choreographer), Alex Trinh (Run Crew), Gina Czernina (Air Guitar Consultant).
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association.
All performances are at Citadel Theatre, in residence in the West Campus of Lake Forest High School at 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL. Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1
LISTING INFORMATION
AIRNESS
By Chelsea Marcantel
Directed by Joe Lehman
Friday April 21 - Sunday May 21, 2023
(Previews April 19-20 @ 7:30 pm)
Press Opening Friday, April 21 at 7:30 pm
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 3 pm. Wednesday matinees at 1 pm on May 3, 10, and 17. Understudy performance on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30 pm. Preview ticket prices $20. Regular run prices Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays $40; Saturdays and Sundays $45. Discounts available for groups, seniors and students.
Citadel Theatre is located inside the West Campus of Lake Forest High School, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045.
Tickets available online at www.citadeltheatre.org or by phone at 847-735-8554, ext. 1, or tickets@citadeltheatre.org.
When Nina enters her first air guitar competition, she thinks winning will be easy. But as she befriends a group of charismatic nerds all committed to becoming the next champion, she discovers that there's more to this art form than playing pretend.
BIOS
Chelsea Marcantel (Playwright) Reared by Cajuns in southwest Louisiana, Chelsea has lived and worked among the peoples of the Midwest, Appalachia, the Mid-Atlantic, and now the West Coast. In 2016, she completed a Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Fellowship at The Juilliard School. Her plays, which have been produced across the US and Canada, include AIRNESS (2018 M. Elizabeth Osborn New Play Award), EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL, TINY HOUSES (2018 Roe Green Award), LADYISH, DEVOUR, and the online theatrical experience CITIZEN DETECTIVE (NY Times Critic’s Pick).
Chelsea’s current theatrical projects include the new plays VANISHING ACT commissioned by the Geffen Playhouse, LAKE ERIE OUBLIETTE commissioned by Cleveland Play House, and THE UPSTAIRS DEPARTMENT, which had its world premiere at Signature Theatre DC in 2022. She is also working on (at last count) five commercial musical projects, as well as writing the book for the original musical THE MONSTER, commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, for which she won a 2021 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre.
Joe Lehman (Director) returns to Citadel Theatre, where he last directed YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN for the 2021 holiday season. Previously at Citadel, he also directed the Theatre for Young Audiences musical ELEPHANT AND PIGGY: WE ARE IN A PLAY! At Metropolis Arts Center, Joe has directed NOISES OFF, THE MOUSETRAP, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and BOEING, BOEING. His directing projects for Williams Street Repertory include SYLVIA, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE.
Scott Phelps (Artistic Director) is in his 21st year as the Artistic Director at Citadel. He’s acted in and directed dozens of Citadel productions over the last two decades since founding this North Shore theatre in 2002 with his friend and lifelong companion, Ellen. 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 in KY. 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 over 20 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.