Displaying items by tag: Charlie Long

The 1950s is easy to idealize. Men styled tailored suits, women dazzled in pleated dresses, and everything glimmered like it was in a commercial. Life’s troubles were solved with a talk from pop or a hug from mom – or that’s how it seemed. Drury Lane Theatre’s Father of the Bride transports audiences to that romanticized time, and it’s a welcome trip!

Published in 1949, Father of the Bride was adapted for the stage and screen, including two beloved movies starring Hollywood heavy-weights Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy, and, later, Steve Martin in 1991. While a wedding-gone-wrong may be a familiar story, director Michael Heitzman infused Drury Lane’s rendition with charm, laughter, and sincerity, making it feel fresh.

The play follows Stanley Banks, whose one-and-only daughter prepares for her big day, but she just wants a simple ceremony. Then again, she does want to invite all of her friends… and wants a beautiful dress… and well, by the time everything adds up, the small affair balloons into a whopping headache for dad.

Joe Dempsey’s portrayal of Banks, the set-in-his-ways father, is spot on, and his ad-libbed groans and physical comedy can’t help but make you laugh and empathize with poor, ol’ dad. He balances his old‑school bravado with the teddy-bear-interior so well, creating the heart of the story and avoiding the tired “dumb dad” troupes.

Aurora Penepacker and Jake DiMaggio Lopez in Father of the Bride. Photo by Justin Barbin.

Also making up the family is Rachel Sullivan, who plays the mother, Ellie Banks, with a gentle, confident air, and sons Ben and Tommy are portrayed by Kyle Ringley and Charlie Long, who bring charismatic Leave It to Beaver energy.

Aurora Penepacker plays Kay Banks, the soon-to-be bride with all of the charm of Elizabeth Taylor, and Jake DiMaggio Lopez is her moonstruck, in-over-his-head fiancée, Buckley Dunstan. Their chemistry is fun to watch as every emotion ping-pongs around as their nuptials draw near.

The ensemble also includes some fantastic performances. Michele Vazaquez portrays the tightly wound secretary, Miss Bellamy, who delivers a hilarious meltdown when every member of the family sabotages her efforts to finalize a guest list. Ed Kross brings quirky comedy as the caterer, Mr. Missoula, who steamrolls the Banks (and jumps like Super Mario), and Maya Hlava as Peggy Swift is an overzealous girl-next-door who plots to catch the bouquet.

The original compositions composed by Curtis Moore also deserve a shout-out. They serve as the perfect soundtrack during sequences which showed seasons changing or wedding gifts flooding in and add that extra something that makes you feel like you’re watching your favorite black-and-white sitcom.

Comedy can be tricky to tackle, but Father of the Bride makes ever beat work. It’s whimsical, playful, and a reminder that when things go awry, those you love will always be there. Father of the Bride is an invitation to a pure, wholesome evening, and it’s an invite you should not pass up.

Father of the Bride runs through May 31 at Drury Lane Theater. Click here for tickets and more information.

This review is proudly shared with our friends at www.TheatreInChicago.com. 

Drury Lane Theatre cordially invites you to the wedding of the season as it opens its 2026/2027 season with Father of the Bride, by Caroline Francke, directed by Michael Heitzman. Heitzman, who last directed Drury Lane's smash-hit production of 42^nd Street, helms this heartwarming comedy, running April 8 – May 31, 2026, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

The cast of Father of the Bride includes Joe Dempsey (Stanley Banks), Aurora Penepacker (Kay Banks), Rachel Sullivan (Ellie Banks), Jake DiMaggio Lopez (Buckley Dunstan), Kyle Ringley (Ben Banks), and Charlie Long (Tommy Banks) with Jeannie Affelder (Mrs. Pulitzki), Braden Crothers (Pete), Mitchell J. Fain (Joe), Archer Geye (Buzz Taylor), Maya Hlava (Peggy Swift), Ed Kross (Mr. Missoula), Demitri Magas (Red), Abby Rose Merrill (Tim's Gal), and Michele Vazaquez (Miss Bellamy).

The creative team of Father of the Bride includes Michael Heitzman (Director), Lauren Nichols (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Dalton Hamilton (Lighting Design), Sarah Ramos (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design), Erin Kennedy Lunsford (Wig, Hair & Makeup Design), Curtis Moore (Original Music Composer), Casie Morell (Production Stage Manager), and Rachel Campbell (Assistant Stage Manager).

Father of the Bride is the classic comedy that has touched our hearts for decades. Based on the novel that inspired the Elizabeth Taylor and Steve Martin films, this hilarious yet bittersweet play reminds us that sometimes the greatest love a father can give to his daughter is to let her go.

Single tickets, priced $65-$125, are on sale now and are available online at www.drurylanetheatre.com, by phone at (630) 530-0111, or in person at the box office. Special discounted pricing available for Groups of 10 or more. A limited number of $45 rush tickets are available in person at the box office day of for every performance. New for the 26/27 season Drury Lane is offering 35 tickets for $35 for students, young professionals, and theatre lovers ages 35 and under for every performance.

About the Artists

MICHAEL HEITZMAN (Director) is delighted to return to Drury Lane where his critically acclaimed production of 42nd Street garnered him a Jeff Award nomination for Best Director. Other credits: Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring David Archuleta, Newsies, Big River, Legally Blonde, SHREK, The Little Mermaid (IRNE Award nominee, Best Director), VICES (Jeff Award nominee, Best Director). He resides in NYC, where he serves as the Artistic Director of New Musical Development at the Lortel Theatre. Next up: Beauty and the Beast São Paulo, Brazil. Member of SDC.

JOE DEMPSEY (Stanley Banks) returns to DLO where he previously performed in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Chicago Theatre: The First Lady of Television at Northlight, Judgment Day at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Paramount, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Court, Remy Bumppo, Theatre Wit. Regional Theatre: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Centerstage (Baltimore), City Theatre (Pittsburgh). TV: Chicago PD, Somebody, Somewhere, Chicago Fire, Early Edition, E.R. Joe is an alum of the Neo-Futurists, American Blues Theater, and The Second City National Touring Company and a proud member of the Actors' Equity and SAG/AFTRA unions.

RACHEL SULLIVAN (Ellie Banks) is thrilled to be making her Drury Lane debut with "Father of the Bride."  Other Chicago credits include: Ideation (Jackalope Theater, Jeff Nom. Best Play & Ensemble) Dada Woof Papa Hot (Theater Wit/About Face). TV: "Chicago Fire," "The Chi," "Justified: City Primeval." Film: The Manifestation, Soul Sessions and Bird of Prey.

AURORA PENEPACKER (Kay Banks) is elated to return to Drury Lane! Previously appearing in A Christmas Carol (Martha) and The King and I (Ensemble/Tuptim understudy), other credits include Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Jeff nomination) at Writer's Theatre, Amélie (Jeff nomination) at Kokandy Productions, and Seagulls at Oak Park Festival Theatre, where she will return this summer as Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest! Aurora graduated with a BFA from CCPA at RU and is represented by Stewart Talent. Rory is a Filipina-American actor, singer, and writer based in Chicago.

JAKE DIMAGGIO LOPEZ (Buckley Dunstan) is thrilled to make his return to the Drury Lane stage ! Prior credits include: Grease(Drury Lane Theatre) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil(Goodman Theatre) Dear Evan Hansen, Cats, Disney's Frozen, Next to Normal, White Christmas, The Sound of Music(The Paramount Theatre Aurora) Jake received his BFA from Coastal Carolina University and is represented by Stewart Talent.

KYLE RINGLEY (Ben Banks, u/s Buckley Dunstan) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane debut! Other Chicago credits: Holiday (Goodman Theatre) Kyle is a recent graduate of the MFA acting program at Northwestern University where he was seen in Museum, The Oregon Trail, and No Exit. TV/Film: Chicago Fire (NBC).

CHARLIE LONG (Tommy Banks) Drury Lane debut! Chicago area theatre credits include Falsettos (Court/Timeline), Fun Home (Porchlight), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Billy Elliot, School of Rock, The Sound of Music (Paramount), and The Music Man, Finding Nemo (Marriott Theatre). Charlie also plays the piano and french horn and is a proud member of the State Champion Marching Tigers.  Additional recognitions: Marquee Sports Network Chicago Cubs Jr. Broadcaster 2025, Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award, ACDA National Honor Choir. 

JEANNIE AFFELDER (Mrs. Pulitzki, u/s Miss Bellamy & Tim's Gal) is thrilled to make her Drury Lane debut. She has been on stage at many Chicago-area theatres: Steppenwolf, Writers, TimeLine, First Folio, New Theatre Project, Eclipse, and Theatre at the Center, and she originated roles in The Good Times Are Killing Me (City Lit) and To Master the Art (TimeLine). Jeannie played the title role in the critically acclaimed production of Dear Elizabeth directed by Joann Green Breuer at the Martha's Vineyard Playhouse. She's been on Somebody Somewhere, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and The Onion.

BRADEN CROTHERS (Pete, u/s Buzz Taylor & Red) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane, where he was previously seen as Louis in The King and I and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. Regional credits include Scut Farkus in A Christmas Story (Marriott Theatre) and Peter Cratchit/Boy Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep). A junior in high school, Braden has also appeared as Bruce in Matilda, Sky in Mamma Mia!, and most recently as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid at his school. Television and film credits include Chicago P.D. (NBC) and Saint Francis (dir. Alex Thompson). 

MITCHELL J. FAIN (Joe, u/s Mr. Missoula) has been a working actor/director/storyteller in Chicago for 30+ years. He has previously worked at Timeline, Northlight; Marriott, Lookingglass; The Second City, Chicago Shakespeare, The Actor's Theatre of Louisville, LaJolla Playhouse, Theater Wit, The Midnight Circus; and many others. Most recently he appeared in the Time Line Theater\Broadway-in-Chicago co-production of "The Lehman Trilogy" (Jeff Award winner for supporting performance); and as proud member of the #GrelleyDuvallUniverse, he appeared in "StepMom; At the Old Ethan Allen Space" at Steppenwolf.

ARCHER GEYE (Buzz Taylor, u/s Tommy Banks & Pete) is thrilled to be making his Drury Lane Theatre debut! Recent credits include The Shape of the Bones (The New Theatre Project at Theatre Wit); Billy Elliot (Paramount Theatre); Big Fish and The Sound of Music (Marriott Theatre); A Christmas Carol and Ragtime (Metropolis Performing Arts Center); and Junior Claus and Snow White: An Original Musical (Citadel Theatre).

MAYA HLAVA (Peggy Swift) is thrilled to be returning to Drury Lane. She was previously seen in Little Mermaid, Christmas Carol, Shrek, White Christmas and Bye Bye Birdie. Additional Chicago credits include, Come Back Little Sheba, Things With Friends (American Blues Theater); Prayer for the French Republic (Northlight Theatre); The Penelopiad (Goodman Theatre); Happy Days Are Here (Again) and Zurich (Steep Theatre); The Best Damn Thing (The Understudy Cafe); Dory Fantasmagory and Last Stop On Marketplace (YPPT/Greenhouse Theater); Spring Awakening (Porchlight Theater); Act 5, The Killing Game and The Nether (A Red Orchid Theatre); Oklahoma (Marriott Theatre); Violet (Griffin Theater); Trevor (Writers Theatre); The Secret Garden (Court Theatre); The Wheel (Steppenwolf Theatre); Film and Television Credits include  Will Trent, The Perpetrator, Chicago Med, The Chi, and The Big Leap. Maya is represented by Stewart Talent

ED KROSS (Mr. Missoula, u/s Stanley Banks) was last seen at Drury Lane in Hazel. Other credits include Little Shop Of Horrors and 1776 (Marriott Theatre), Fiddler On The Roof and West Side Story (Lyric Opera), The Jungle Book and Animal Crackers (The Goodman), Sister Act and Shear Madness (Mercury Theater), I Love Lucy (Broadway Playhouse), as well as productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northlight, Peninsula Players, and Second City Theatricals. On camera he's appeared in over 75 commercials, had guest roles on "Chicago Med," "Fargo," "Patriot," "Chicago Fire," "Sirens," "Boss," and shares one-on-one scenes with Tom Hanks in Road To Perdition and George Clooney in Ocean's 12.  Ed is a 28-year ensemble member of American Blues Theater.

DEMITRI MAGAS (Red, u/s Ben Banks & Joe) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane! Demitri is a graduate from Millikin University's 2024 BFA Acting class and made his first Chicago theatre debut in 2023 as Robert in Jeff and Shelly (Theatre Wit). Last winter, Demitri worked as an understudy for Drury Lane's A Christmas Carol and is a member of The Conspirators (a Chicago neo-commedia dell'Arte troupe) and has appeared in Chicago Cop Macbeth, Ayn Rand's It's A Wonderful Life, and Commedia Divina: It's Worse Than That (Otherworld Theatre).

ABBY ROSE MERRILL (Tim's Gal, u/s Kay Banks & Peggy Swift) is thrilled to return to Drury Lane! Favorite regional credits include Grease at Drury Lane; Nunsense at The New Theater; and the Alice Bliss workshop at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley directed by Mark Brokaw. Abby has also appeared on Netflix's House of Cards and NBC's Chicago Med. She is a graduate of Stanford University and represented by Stewart Talent.

MICHELE VAZAQUEZ (Miss Bellamy, u/s Ellie Banks & Mrs. Pulitzki) is an actor, director, and teaching artist based in the Chicago area. She has appeared Off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre and The Pearl Theatre Company, and performed nationally with The Old Globe, Arena Stage, A.C.T., Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Aquila Theatre, and Goodman Theatre, as well as internationally at the International Shakespeare Festival in Neuss, Germany. Her television credits include Emperor of Ocean Park, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and As the World Turns. Michele holds an MFA from The Old Globe/University of San Diego and a BFA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She's a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

Season and Membership Information

The 2026/2027 season includes the wedding of the season in Father of the Bride (April 8 – May 31, 2026); holy hilarity with the Little Sisters of Hoboken in Nunsense (June 10 – August 2, 2026); the toe-tapping tribute to a rock'n'roll pioneer Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (August 19 - October 11, 2026); the heartwarming family classic Annie (November 4, 2026 – January 10, 2027); and the musical office rebellion in heels 9 to 5 (January 27 - March 21, 2027).

Drury Lane Theatre's performance schedule for the 2025/2026 season is as follows: Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Lock in your seats for a season of spectacular theatre with Drury Lane's Membership Program! Members have exclusive access to uniquely tailored benefits designed to enrich their Drury Lane experience, all at a cost savings of up to 50% off single ticket prices. Membership includes Premium or Tier One seating for all five Drury Lane Theatre productions, free ticket exchanges, dedicated dining credits at Lucille Restaurant, one complimentary Champagne Brunch, exclusive event invitations, Member pre-sales and 25% off additional single ticket. Membership prices range from $254 - $285. For more information, Call Memberships at 630-570-7280 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Group tickets start at $45 and Student group tickets start at just $35. On-site dining is available at Lucille Restaurant with convenient pre-show or post-show prix fixe menus. To book a group of 10 people or more, call Group Services at 630-570-7272 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rush tickets are available the day of performance at the box office for $45. Limit of 4 rush tickets per person and must be purchased in person at the box office.

35 tickets for $35 for students, young professionals and theatre lovers age 35 and under are available for every performance. Limit two per person, per performance. Use code "35FOR35" to purchase these tickets online at www.drurylanetheatre.com, in person at the box office, or call (630) 570-0111.

Gift certificates to Drury Lane can be purchased in any denomination, never expire, and can be used for performances, at Lucille Restaurant or for Drury Lane Events. Gift certificates can be purchased online at drurylanetheatre.com/gift-certificates or by calling the box office.

Dining and Special Events

Excellence isn't limited to the stage at Drury Lane! Before or after the show, theatergoers can indulge in delicious onsite dining at Lucille Restaurant featuring seasonal pre-fixe menus and an elevated atmosphere to complete their experience. Boasting over a century of collective expertise in hospitality, the dedicated team ensures that you will be cared for with freshly prepared meals, handcrafted cocktails, and exceptional service. At Drury Lane, everything is in one place, so you will never be late for your performance.

Father of the Bride

By: Caroline Francke

Directed by: Michael Heitzman

Featuring: Joe Dempsey (Stanley Banks), Aurora Penepacker (Kay Banks), Rachel Sullivan (Ellie Banks), Jake DiMaggio Lopez (Buckley Dunstan), Kyle Ringley (Ben Banks), and Charlie Long (Tommy Banks) with Jeannie Affelder (Mrs. Pulitzki), Braden Crothers (Pete), Mitchell J. Fain (Joe), Archer Geye (Buzz Taylor), Maya Hlava (Peggy Swift), Ed Kross (Mr. Missoula), Demitri Magas (Red), Abby Rose Merrill (Tim's Gal), and Michele Vazaquez (Miss Bellamy).

Creatives: Lauren Nichols (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Dalton Hamilton (Lighting Design), Sarah Ramos (Sound Design), Cassy Schillo (Properties Design), Erin Kennedy Lunsford (Wig, Hair & Makeup Design), Curtis Moore (Composer), Casie Morell (Production Stage Manager), and Rachel Campbell (Assistant Stage Manager).

Dates:                                                  April 8 – May 31, 2026

Schedule:                                          Wednesdays: 1:30 p.m.

                                                            Thursdays: 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

                                                            Fridays: 7:00 p.m.

                                                            Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

                                                            Sundays: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.                                

Location:                                             Drury Lane Theatre at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

Tickets:                                               Tickets range from $65 - $125

Group discounts available to groups of 10 or more

Dining and show packages available

Senior discounts available

Box Office:                                          100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace

                                                            (630) 530-0111

                                                            Monday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm

                        or visit DruryLaneTheatre.com

About Drury Lane Theatre    

Built from scratch. Built in Oakbrook. Built for you. 

Founded by Anthony DeSantis over 70 years ago, Drury Lane remains a family-run organization under the leadership of President Kyle DeSantis. Drury Lane Theatre continues as a major force in the Chicagoland theatre scene, producing world-class theatre in collaboration with some of the nation's leading actors, directors, and creative minds. Drury Lane Theatre produces the highest quality theatrical experience that immerses and supports artists and audiences in the exploration of what it means to be human and to experience the transcending power of the performing and visual arts. Drury Lane strives to create an environment in which every individual or group is welcomed, respected, supported, valued and able to fully experience and participate in this transformative art form. 

The theatre has staged more than 2,000 productions and has been nominated for over 360 Joseph Jefferson Awards. Drury Lane proudly employs thousands of professional actors, musicians, designers, and crew members to entertain upwards of nine million audience members and counting.

It’s always risky to take a familiar story and translate it from one medium to another, in this instance from film to stage. Will the adaptation do justice to the story? Will our favorite characters be recognizable to us? Will we walk away happily satisfied with the end result?

I can honestly say for devoted fans of Disney’s Pixar film Finding Nemo, both young and old, that in the Theatre for Young Audience’s musical adaptation now on stage at the Marriot Theatre in Lincolnshire, the answer to all those questions is a resounding YES!

Under the masterful direction of Amber Mak, who also choreographed the show, the underwater world of the coral reef, home to Marlin and his son Nemo, comes to life through the ingenious use of puppetry, colorful costumes and props, along with the skillful use of lighting.

For the uninitiated, Finding Nemo relates the story of an overly cautious and very serious Clown Fish, Marlin, who has promised after a barracuda attack wiped out his entire family save one, that nothing will ever happen to his only remaining son, Nemo. Nemo, who longs for adventures of his own, swims off the coral reef and is caught and taken to far-away Sydney. What follows is Marlin’s epic journey to find his son, where he is joined by a memory-challenged Blue Tang, Dory, whose unfailing optimism and faith in Marlin, propel the two onward.

From the opening to the close, the young audience was enchanted by the cavalcade of sea creatures that paraded across the stage – seahorses, sting rays, octopuses, as well as a wide variety of fish. Our favorites are there as well – the jellies, creatively portrayed using clear umbrellas, the chill sea turtles, Bruce, the somewhat reformed “fish are not food” shark and his friends, and of course, Dory.

Because the production is geared for a younger audience with a run time of about an hour, the storyline is somewhat truncated. Instead of finding himself in an aquarium at a dentist’s office, Nemo is taken to the Syndey Aquarium, where he meets Gill and the other Tank Gang, joining their efforts to escape and return to the sea. And Marlin and his plucky companion Dory quickly move from one encounter to another.

The addition of an energetic and up-tempo musical score written by the award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez of Frozen fame, keeps the storyline moving. Nigel, the Australian brown pelican, also relays critical information to the ocean denizens and Nemo about Marlin and Dory’s adventures, as well as encourages audience participation at times. “If you think Marlin will save Nemo, clap your fins now,” he intones, to an enthusiastic response.

The team of Scenic Designer Milo Bue, Costume Designer Theresa Ham, and Lighting Designer Brian Elston work together to create the colors and beauty of the underwater world. Large panels of lights on all the walls surround the audience in an everchanging display of seascapes. Lighting is used to create the undulating movement of water, and at time, bursts of bubbles gently fall to the delight of the audience.

But it is the wonderful puppets, thanks to Puppet Designer Jesse Mooney-Bullock, that are the true stars of the show. From the giant Sea Turtle, the laid-back Crush, played by three persons, to the scary barracuda that attacks the reef, to the delightful school of fish that point Marlin and Dory in the right direction, each puppet is uniquely designed and operated.

The talented cast bring the personalities of each character through with masterful puppetry and choreography. Avelyn Lena Choi shines as Nemo, and Devin De Santis portrays “Marlin” with just the right amount of caution and bravery. As in the movie, it is Dory, played expertly by Leah Morrow, who steals the show. Her mantra of “Just keep swimming” and continued mangling of Nemo’s name (Mosquito, Cheeto, Mango, to mention a few) keep the young crowd laughing and amused.

The talented ensemble also includes Andres DeLeon, Genevieve Jane, Charlie Long, Adelina Marinello, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Maya Rowe, Lorenzo Rush Jr., and Meena Sood, who play a variety of roles throughout the show.

As an added bonus, as it does with all its children’s theatre performances, the cast of the show remain afterwards for a brief question-and-answer session with the audience. For older children in the audience, it’s a wonderful opportunity to glimpse behind the scene and see how the stage magic happens.

With the holiday season nearly upon us, Marriott’s Finding Nemo is a perfect choice for family-friendly entertainment appropriate for all ages. I enjoyed the show as much as my nine-year-old granddaughter, who walked away thoroughly satisfied, remarking, “My favorite part was that there was a happy ending.”

Disney’s Finding Nemo Theatre for Young Audiences version is running through Jan. 4, 2026, at the Marriott Theatre, located at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire. Performances take place on most Wednesdays through Sundays at 10 am with select 12:30 pm performances. Visit www.marriotttheatre.com or call 847.634.0200 for the exact schedule, as show times and dates may vary.

Even 40 years later, the AIDS crisis continues to shape American life. Long before Hollywood brought AIDS stories to the cultural mainstream, the theatre was a safe place for actors and writers to explore their fears and sense of injustice for a mass audience.

‘Falsettos’ playwright William Finn began working on what would become the now classic musical in the 1970s, as a response to the gay liberation movement. The play started as a series of one-acts concerning Marvin, the show’s protagonist as he navigates leaving his family for his male lover. Initially the first installment, ‘In Trousers’ was a critical and commercial failure. Finn considered abandoning theatre entirely, but instead collaborated with lyricist James Lapine to create ‘Falsettos’. A musical that would explore both gay liberation and the early years of the AIDS epidemic through the vantage point of Finn’s character Marvin.

Court Theatre and TimeLine Theatre team up for a joint revival of ‘Falsettos’ at the Hyde Park theater. With a 70s-themed set, audiences are transported back to 1979 where they meet Marvin, the play’s central character played by Steven Schellhardt. Not only is this a play about gay culture, but it’s also a celebration of the Jewish-American experience. The show begins with a song ‘Four Jews in a Room Bitching’ that introduces the sing-songy musical style that permeates throughout.

Marvin is leaving his wife Trina (Sarah Bockel) for his new lover Whizzer (Jack Ball). Trina is taking up with the family psychiatrist Mendel (Jackson Evans). Their son Jason (Charlie Long) is caught in the middle as his parents duke it over his approaching bar mitzvah. Marvin wants it all, his perfect nuclear family and his new lover, at whatever emotional cost that comes to his son, his lover and Trina. What’s so striking about the first act is how modern the themes are. Perhaps in a world without the specter of AIDS hanging over it, this odd family arrangement would have eventually worked itself out. Act I essentially lives in a vacuum uninfluenced by the coming epidemic. Act II catches up with the characters two years later. Things have slightly improved for Marvin and his family but another grim reality emerges. Whizzer becomes one of the AIDS epidemic’s first victims. This 11’o clock tone shift admittedly feels jarring especially against the chipper upbeat music. Though, it makes this musical feel unique as far as AIDS literature goes. It’s not the AIDS musical per se, but rather a musical about the gay experience that features AIDS. In this story, the virus is so new it doesn’t even have a name or a course of treatment.

Lyricist James Lapine crafted words for Sondheim classics like ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ and ‘Into the Woods’. His signature rhyming scheme are both a blessing and a curse for ‘Falsettos’. Sarah Bockel is undeniably this production’s strongest asset, especially during  numbers like ‘Trina’s Song’ showcase her talent as a singer and physical performer. However, the lyrics feel outdated as any sort of feminist anthem.

The play is aptly titled ‘Falsettos’ as the characters are often singing in a much more upbeat style than the content of the lyrics. Sometimes it works, and sometimes the rhyming feels like a reach. The musical style works well in big cast numbers like ‘Falsettoland/It’s About Time’, but when the play takes on a more serious tone the format feels contradictory to the plot.

Director Nick Bowling and music director Otto Vogel present a faithful, high-end revival that will delight fans of the musical. The cast rises to the occasion wonderfully, especially child actor Charlie Long as the hopelessly awkward teen caught in the middle of his parents’ drama. Putting ‘Falsettos’ into the context of today’s more accepting world, it feels like a victory lap, a reminder of how far society has come. It’s a celebration of love in all its forms. 

Through December 8 at Court Theatre. 5535 S Ellis Ave. 773-753-4472.