| Pheasant Run Resort was pleased to open their first dinner
theater, The Pheasant Run Playhouse, in 1964. The first star to
appear on the mainstage was dancer Mimi Hines from the Jack Parr
show. Many people can remember visiting the Playhouse in the 60’s
and 70’s to see stars such as William Shatner, Sally Struthers, Burt
Ward, Phyllis Diller, Betty Grable, Bob Denver, Stephanie Powers and
Larry Hagman. If you look closely, photos and autographs of many of
these stars can be found throughout the property.
In 1988, the dinner theater turned to Broadway musicals and
nurtured many stars including Sean Hayes (who played the role of
Jack on the popular TV series “Will and Grace) and Anna Chlumsky
(who played the role of Vada in the hit movie My Girl with Dan
Aykroyd), while producing memorable productions like Grease and The
King and I. Closing in the summer of 2002, the dinner theater
underwent a $4.5 million transformation into a state-of-the-art 320
seat tiered stadium seating facility. It is now home to productions
by the highly acclaimed non-profit theater company, Noble Fool
Theatricals.
Chicago’s Noble Fool Theater Company was invited to take part in
the inaugural season of Pheasant Run’s new mainstage theater in 2004
with an offering of fresh interpretations of classical and original
productions such as The Underpants by Steve Martin, The Vikings! A
Musical in Two Axe, and the Woody Allen classic, Don’t Drink The
Water.
A year later, Noble Fool Theatricals was formed specifically to
serve the western suburbs with a repertoire of well-known
Off-Broadway musicals, comedies, educational programming and family
shows. Today, they continue to bring many of downtown’s finest
award-winning artists and well-known comedy troupes right here to
St. Charles, such as Off-Broadway’s longest-running musical I Love
You, You’re Perfect Now Change, holiday favorites like A Christmas
Story, Chicago’s very own The Second City, and the record-breaking
Broadway comedy Defending the Caveman.
Their second stage, the Preservation Hall “Studio Theater” on
Bourbon Street, features a variety of interactive theatrical
performances each season including the hysterical interactive play,
Flanagan’s Wake, Chicago’s competitive comedy troupe ComedySportz,
and the one-nun hit Late Nite Catechism.
In the fall of 2006, Noble Fool Theatricals opened The NFT
Performing Arts Academy to offer theatrical training for the
community including classes in improvisation, scene-study, and
auditions, as well as the critic-acclaimed Youth Ensemble program.
The academy features some of the Chicago area’s most respected
teachers, directors, actors and musicians. Classes are for adults,
children and business professionals looking to learn from the people
who are working at what they love do.
Noble Fool Theatricals is currently the largest non-profit arts
organization dedicated to entertaining, enriching and educating
lives in the Fox Valley Area. As the largest, professional arts
organization in the area, they continue to stay true to their
mission of presenting outstanding comedies and musical productions
as well as providing exceptional education programs for the entire
community through the NFT Performing Arts Academy.
Awards
Awarded “Best Live Theatre of the Fox 2007” by Kane County
Chronicle Readers
Voted “One of the Best of the West ‘07 for Live Theatre” by West
Suburban Living Readers
Voted “One of the Best of the ‘Burbs for Live Theater” in 2006 and
2007 by Suburban Nite life Readers
NFT Performing Arts Academy
Offstage, Noble Fool Theatricals strives to educate both young
people and adults through a hands-on technical and theatrical
experience. Their approach to fulfilling that commitment is one of
exposure to the arts and professional artists, hands-on learning as
well as traditional theatrical training through various programs
offered all year long.
- Theater Classes & Camps: Aspiring actors and seasoned
performers can enjoy a variety of acting classes for all ages,
including; Auditioning, Improv, Singing, and performance
workshops/camps. All programs culminate with a showcase for
friends & family.
- Youth Ensemble Productions: Young actors get the chance to
shine on our mainstage in this audition-based program for the
best and the brightest young talent in the community. Members
audition, rehearse, and perform a production for the public.
- Children’s Programming: Now families can enjoy a Saturday
morning at Pheasant Run with newly added children’s shows for
ages 3 and up. A variety of educational performances and lunch
packages are available throughout the year.
- Post-show theater discussions: Week 4’s Sunday subscription
series offers a free in-depth theater discussion with the Noble
Fool cast and staff immediately following each show.
- Internship Program: High school students (16+) and college
students can gain hands-on experiences with working
professionals in disciplines including directing, choreography,
wardrobe, hair and makeup, technical lighting and sound,
production management, stage management, marketing and more.
|
