November 2008 News Releases
- 11-4 Neil Simon Classic to Hit SWIC Belleville Stage This Month
- 11-3 Check Out SWIC Red Bud Campus at Nov. 18 Open House
NEIL SIMON CLASSIC TO HIT SWIC BELLEVILLE STAGE THIS MONTH
Neil Simon's funny, yet touching story of a Brooklyn teenager's coming of age in 1937, "Brighton Beach Memoirs," will hit the Southwestern Illinois College stage this November. Performances will be held Nov. 14-16 and Nov. 21-23 in the Belleville Campus Main Complex -Theatre, 2500 Carlyle Ave.
A special dinner theatre performance at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14 kicks off the two-weekend run. Other performances will be held at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15; Friday, Nov. 21; and Saturday, Nov. 22, as well as 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 23. To reserve your seats for the show, contact 618-235-2700, ext. 5561. Tickets to all performances except the special dinner theatre at $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Advanced tickets for the dinner theatre are $20 each.
Simon's autobiographical play is a snapshot of life in a struggling Jewish household. You meet Eugene Jerome; his older, experienced brother, Stanley; their mother and father; a widowed aunt and her two daughters. While it has many funny moments, the "dramedy" also tackles serious issues around family dynamics, including sibling rivalry and parental guilt, and dignity through hardship.
"I think Brighton Beach Memoirs is incredible, one of the best plays I've ever read!" notes Director Jeff Blue. "Neil Simon has a gift of creating characters that you can really relate to, characters that struggle just like we do, but at the same time, characters that keep their sense of humor through thick and thin. I've never felt so deeply and laughed so hard."
The play's debut performance came in Los Angeles at the end of 1982. It moved to Broadway in 1983. Brighton Beach Memoirs was made into a film, featuring Jonathan Silverman and Blythe Danner, in 1986.
The SWIC stage production will feature Brandon Bryan of Troy as Eugene, Jenni Wilson of Red Bud as Blanche, Jadienne Nolan of St. Louis. as Kate, Andria Dotigney of Swansea as Laurie, Emily Mollet of New Baden as Nora, Ryan Loughman of Belleville as Stanley and William Conklin of Granite City as Jack.
The play is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French.
CHECK OUT SWIC RED BUD CAMPUS AT NOV. 18 OPEN HOUSE
The Southwestern Illinois College Red Bud Campus, 500 W. South Fourth St., will swing its doors wide open to residents of the district from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18 for a Red Bud Campus Open House.
"People can discover why the campus is the right place to pursue their education. They can learn about academic programs and student services, take a campus tour, meet with Enrollment Services staff, learn about financial aid, meet current SWIC students and begin the enrollment process," said Enrollment Services Specialist Lyn Waller.
Special sessions will be held for parents, as well as high school juniors and seniors.
Reservations for the Red Bud Campus Open House are required. Seating is limited; a light supper will be served. Contact 800-222-5131, ext. 5664, to reserve your spots.
Opened in 1985, the Red Bud Campus offers a host of credit classes through a variety of flexible scheduling options, including Block Schedule and Friday Only courses. Credit classes prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university or gain skills to move directly into the work force. A partnership with Southern Illinois University makes it possible for students to transfer smoothly to their SIU institution of choice. In addition, a partnership with Monroe-Randolph Transit makes getting to classes cheaper and easier.
For more information about the campus, mark your calendar to attend! Can't make it? Call Enrollment Services at 800-222-5131, ext. 5526, or e-mail Enrollment Services Specialist Lyn Waller at lyn.waller@swic.edu or Sonia Fischer at sonia.fischer@swic.edu.