Displaying items by tag: Mary Grace Martens

Concluding BrightSide's 14^th season will be THE PRODUCERS, the longest running Broadway musical comedy ever and the winner of 12 Tony Awards – the most ever by a single production. Mel Brooks's musical was adapted from his 1967 film of the same name that starred Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. Like the film, the musical follows the hapless producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they attempt to make money by staging the biggest flop in history—only for their ridiculous musical, "Springtime for Hitler," to become a surprise hit. THE PRODUCERS ran on Broadway for six years, keeping audiences in stitches with its combination of visual and verbal humor, inventive and hilarious production numbers, and catchy songs. BrightSide Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass will direct, with Mary Grace Martens providing the choreography and Phil Videckis serving as Music Director. THE PRODUCERS will play from June 12-28, 2026, in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall on the campus of North Central College in Naperville. 
 
Leading the cast are Scott Kelley of Schaumburg as Max Bialystock and Michael Metcalf as Leo Bloom. Kelley has been seen at BrightSide in such roles as Sidney in DEATHTRAP, The Narrator in last fall's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and Nick Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Metcalf first appeared with BrightSide in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT in 2018 and most recently was Freddie in BrightSide's CHESS IN CONCERT. Metcalf has played such leading roles around Chicago as Oliver Warbucks in ANNIE, Lord Farquaad in SHREK with Music Theater Works, and Frankie Valli in JERSEY BOYS at Mercury Theatre, for which he earned a Jeff nomination. Roger DeBris, the flamboyant director hired to stage "Springtime for Hitler," will be played by veteran actor John B. Boss of Chicago, who has been cast in that role in five previous productions, including the national tour. DeBris's assistant, Carmen Ghia, will be Michael John Lynch (also of Chicago), seen at BrightSide this season as Brad in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and as Jean-Claude in PHANTOM. Myles Mattsey of New Lenox, seen in BrightSide's PHANTOM this past January and last summer as Coronel Ricci in Blank Theatre Company's PASSION, will play the eccentric "Springtime for Hitler" playwright Franz Liebkind. Amelia Tam of Evanston, seen in BrightSide's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW earlier this season, will be Bialystock and Bloom's secretary Ulla Jacobson.
 
Also in the cast are Julie Abner Donahue (of Geneva), Jax Downs-Martinez (of Oswego), Justin Dudzik (of Joliet), Chris Frewen-Peña (of Bolingbrook), Erica Harrington (of Westchester), Sydnee Howes (of Chicago), Peter Kattner III (of Chicago), Athena Kopolos, Charlie Kungl (of Elmhurst), Lauren Mathews (of Chicago), Cheryl Newman (of Naperville), and John Salomone (of Shorewood). The design team includes Ariel Mozes (Scenic Design), Cheryl Newman (Costume Design), Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Design), Delaney Kosar (Props Design). Bill Delmonico is Technical Director.

THE PRODUCERS will be performed in The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors and are on sale now at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497). The Saturday, June 13 2 pm performance will be ASL interpreted, thanks to the generous support of Naperville Lions Club. Special seating for this performance may be reserved with the code ASL.

THE PRODUCERS
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
Music & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
Choreography by Mary Grace Martens
Music Direction by Phil Videckis
June 12-28, 2026
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
No performance Friday, June 19. Additional performance Thursday, June 18.

The Theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall
North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth in Naperville
Tickets $32 - $37, available at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497) 

The Saturday, June 13 2 pm performance will be ASL interpreted, thanks to the generous support of Naperville Lions Club. Special seating for this performance may be reserved with the code ASL

Get ready to laugh until it hurts with THE PRODUCERS, Mel Brooks' outrageous musical comedy about two schemers trying to stage the biggest Broadway flop of all time—only to accidentally create a smash hit! With show-stopping numbers, over-the-top characters, and non-stop laughs, this Tony Award-winning favorite is a riotous celebration of theatre itself. This side-splitting comedy will leave you roaring with laughter and applauding for more! 

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a glam-rock concert, a sci-fi B-movie, and a drag ball collided in a castle during a thunderstorm—The Rocky Horror Show Live has your answer, and it’s wearing fishnets.

The Rocky Horror Show Live is a glitter-drenched, gender-bending, sci-fi rock ‘n’ roll romp that turns theater into a wild party. Expect corsets, chaos, and a whole lot of “Time Warp” madness. This madness has now made its way to Naperville – Brightside Theatre to be exact.

When prim-and-proper sweethearts Brad Majors and Janet Weiss find themselves stranded in a thunderstorm, their search for shelter leads them to a looming, otherworldly mansion - a castle pulsing with secrets, sequins, and scandal. What begins as a pit stop quickly spirals into a surreal plunge down the rabbit hole of desire, decadence, and intergalactic mischief.

Inside, they meet the castle’s master of ceremonies: Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a gloriously flamboyant, corset-clad scientist who struts with the swagger of a rock god and the flair of a cabaret queen. Hailing from the distant planet of Transsexual in the galaxy of Transylvania, Frank is in the midst of unveiling his latest experiment - a living, breathing Adonis named Rocky, sculpted from muscle, myth, and pure libido. With golden locks and glistening abs, Rocky is less Frankenstein’s monster and more a pin-up fantasy brought to life.

As Brad and Janet’s innocence begins to unravel, the castle transforms into a playground of provocative floor shows, alien revelations, and boundary-blurring seductions. The air crackles with glam-rock anthems, pelvic thrusts, and a deliciously campy celebration of everything taboo. Gender norms are tossed aside, sexuality is fluid and fearless, and the audience is swept along in a glitter-drenched whirlwind of liberation and lunacy.

It’s not just a descent - it’s a transformation. What starts as a dark and stormy night becomes a kaleidoscopic journey into the heart of pleasure, identity, and unapologetic self-expression. And by the time the curtain falls, Brad and Janet - and everyone watching - are forever changed.

From left to right Frank-n-Furter (John McNally), Brad (Michael Lynch) and Janet (Brooke Kassal).

Brightside delivers a dazzling revival of this cult classic, transforming the stage into a riotous playground of glam, grit, and glorious excess. With a knockout cast and inventive use of props, the production doesn’t just invite the audience into Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle - it plunges them headfirst into its glittering heart, where every velvet curtain and pelvic thrust feels like an invitation to mischief.

John McNally is an absolute revelation as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, commanding the stage with a magnetic blend of sensuality, sway, and razor-sharp wit. From the moment he slinks into view, clad in fishnets and attitude, McNally’s presence is undeniable - he doesn’t just enter the scene, he devours it. His performance pulses with a deliciously understated sexiness, balanced by theatrical bravado and a knowing wink that keeps the audience hanging on every gesture. Whether crooning through “Sweet Transvestite” or orchestrating the castle’s chaos, McNally delivers a masterclass in camp charisma.

Brooke Kassall lights up the stage as Janet Weiss, infusing the role with vocal brilliance and comedic precision. Her transformation from wide-eyed ingénue to liberated vixen is a joy to watch, and she navigates the character’s emotional arc with both heart and hilarity. Kassall’s timing is impeccable, her voice crystalline, and her physicality sharp.

Michael Lynch, as Brad Majors, is pitch-perfect in his portrayal of the uptight, earnest fiancé caught in a whirlwind of glitter and temptation. Lynch leans into the camp with gusto, delivering his lines with just the right mix of sincerity and absurdity. His vocal moments land with strength and clarity, and his chemistry with Kassall adds a layer of authenticity to the madness unfolding around them.

Together, this trio anchors the production with energy, nuance, and a confident embrace of the show’s outrageous spirit.

Scott Kelley delivers a pitch-perfect performance as the Narrator, wielding deadpan delivery like a scalpel and slicing through the chaos with dry wit and subtle nuance. His timing is impeccable, his tone delightfully sardonic, and his ability to anchor the madness with a raised eyebrow or a well-placed pause makes him the ideal guide through this glitter-drenched fever dream. Kelley doesn’t just narrate—he punctuates the production with comedic finesse, offering a steady stream of meta-humor that keeps the audience both grounded and giggling.

One of the most inspired casting choices in the show is Mary Grace Martens in the dual roles of Eddie and Dr. Scott - a double act that showcases her range, charisma, and comic chops. As Eddie, Martens bursts onto the scene like a rock ‘n’ roll cannonball, delivering a hilariously unhinged performance that’s equal parts punk energy and vaudevillian flair. Her physicality, vocal grit, and sheer commitment to the chaos make Eddie’s brief but explosive appearance unforgettable.

Then, in a brilliant pivot, Martens reemerges as Dr. Scott, trading leather and rebellion for tweed and gravitas. Her portrayal is spot-on, capturing the character’s stiff demeanor and scientific earnestness while still mining the role for laughs. The contrast between the two characters is a testament to Martens’ versatility - she doesn’t just play two roles, she inhabits two worlds, and does so with style, precision, and a wink to the audience.

When opportunity came knocking, Charlie Kungl didn’t just answer - he flung the castle doors wide open and stormed the stage with a performance that was nothing short of electrifying. Originally cast as one of the Phantoms, Kungl stepped into the role of Riff Raff with fearless precision, filling in for Thomas McMahon and transforming the castle’s creepy handyman into a scene-stealing force of nature. From the moment he slithered into view, Kungl embodied Riff Raff’s eerie elegance and twitchy menace with uncanny style, layering in just the right amount of weirdness, wit, and vocal prowess.

His performance in “Over at the Frankenstein Place” was hauntingly beautiful, and his contributions to “Time Warp” were delivered with such gusto and vocal strength that the audience couldn’t help but be swept into the madness. Kungl delivered one of the most memorable turns of the night.

Playing opposite Riff Raff as the sultry and sardonic Magenta is Michelle Bolliger. Bolliger brings a sly humor and smoky vocal tone to the role, delivering her lines with a delicious blend of deadpan and mischief. Her chemistry with Kungl added a layer of twisted charm to the castle’s eerie ambiance, and her vocal work - especially in ensemble numbers - was smooth, confident, and richly textured.

From left to right Eddie (Mary Grace Martens), Frank-n-Furter (John McNally) and Columbia (Collette Michelle).

Ben Chalex delivers a standout turn as Rocky Horror, infusing Frank-N-Furter’s golden-haired creation with a magnetic blend of innocence, physicality, and comic ability. From his shimmering entrance in gold lamé to his wide-eyed reactions and expressive vocals—especially in “The Sword of Damocles”—Chalex elevates Rocky beyond caricature. He brings surprising emotional depth and impeccable timing, making Rocky not just a lab-grown fantasy, but a breakout presence bursting with kinetic charm and comedic gold.

Rounding out the cast with flair is Collette Michelle, who shines as Columbia with a vibrant mix of vocal prowess and comedic sparkle. Her performance surges with energy, capturing Columbia’s manic charm and showgirl sass to perfection. Michelle even delivers a crisp, crowd-pleasing tap routine that seals the deal—she’s a triple threat with glitter to spare.

The ensemble of Phantoms brought a vibrant pulse to the production, serving as Frank-N-Furter’s pleasingly twisted entourage with flair and finesse. These talented performers didn’t just dance - they slinked, strutted, and seduced their way across the expansive three-quarter thrust stage, turning every corner into a playground of provocative movement – including the aisles. Their presence added texture and tension, amplifying the castle’s decadent atmosphere and ensuring that Frank’s every whim was met with theatrical devotion and dazzling spectacle.

Under the sharp direction of Jeffrey Cass and the spirited musical guidance of Phil Videckis, The Rocky Horror Show Live at Brightside Theatre explodes with vigor, irreverence, and irresistible charm. This production doesn’t just break the fourth wall - it invites the audience to dance through it, shout back at it, and throw Scott’s toilet paper at it. With highly encouraged audience participation that leaps at every campy cue and innuendo, the show becomes a shared spectacle of chaos and delight. It’s a glitter-drenched, fishnet-clad thrill ride that’s tailor-made for the Halloween season - and absolutely unmissable for fans of theatrical mischief.

Highly Recommended.

The Rocky Horror Show Live is being preformed at Theater at Meilly-Swallow Hall through November 9^th. For tickets and/or more show information, visit https://brightsidetheatre.com/the-rocky-horror-show/.