ST. CHARLES – Donna Steele, executive director of the St. Charles Steel Beam Theatre has recently entered an agreement to offer 3 Readers Theatre performances of the new screenplay "The Awakening Time," written and adapted to live theater by Elgin resident Beth Raines, a screenwriter and actress.
The dates for the production are 8 p.m. July 13 and 14 and 3 p.m. July 15 in coordination with the St. Charles Summer Theater Festival. Tickets are available through www.SteelBeamTheatre.com. Although main stage performances are normally $25, tickets have been reduced to $20 for these performances until they are gone.
Raines was an experienced actress in such features as "Forever" and "The Waltons," before writing her first screenplay, "The Awakening Time."
Besides Raines reprising her role as Claire, the production also includes Bartlett resident Eileen Lucietto performing the role as the narrator, a role that she performed when "Arts in Bartlett" first presented the new screenplay. Lucietto is a professor emeritus of languages of the City Colleges of Chicago and performs in historical reenactments with the Bartlett Historical Society.
Following all performances, there will be a question-and-answer session with the screenwriter and cast.
The proceeds from these performances will benefit two local nonprofit organizations – the St. Charles Noon Rotary Club and the Steel Beam Theatre itself.
About the show
Sometimes a spiritual journey begins with a loss and that is exactly what happens to 46-year-old Katie. After losing her husband, John, to cancer a year ago, Katie lives an isolated and emotionally disconnected life. Her life changes when she meets a charming, off-beat French woman who seems to have the answers to questions Katie doesn't even know how to ask. This mysterious woman opens doors to the other side that helps Katie realize that love is worth the pain.
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