Jonathan James Productions presents the world premiere of The Years Between Us, a new play by Liana Sonenclar, directed by Liam Pietrzyk. Developed with New York Stage and Film, the play previously received a New York reading starring AnnaSophia Robb (Bridge to Terabithia), Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things), and Tony nominee Julia Lester (Into the Woods). This production features Kate Cvengros, Julian Rus, and Michaela Horn, with performances October 15, 16, and 18 at The Lodge Performing Arts Center in Elgin.
The Years Between Us is a comedy with heart about three young people caught between childhood and adulthood. When Lacey (25) unexpectedly returns home, the kids she once babysat, Josh (17) and Tessa (15), are reunited with their childhood hero, just as each of them is struggling to grow up. Josh needs a date, Tessa needs a punching bag, and Lacey needs a lot. In a world without role models, can these three make it through together?
Liana Sonenclar is a New York-based writer represented by WME. Her work has been presented with New York Stage and Film, The New Group, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Dorset Theater Festival, and The Hearth, among others. Her short film To Be Honest screened at thirteen festivals and won four Best of Fest awards. She studied English at the University of Chicago and holds a BFA in Acting from NYU Tisch.
"I wrote this play at a time in my life I felt torn over the line between adolescence and adulthood. It means the world to me to premiere in Chicago, where I started my theater journey at 18. It almost feels like returning home," said Sonenclar.
"Liana's writing undoubtedly sets a bar for character depth in writing. From hilarious, dark-comedy to deep intricate meaning, Liana knows what it means to express the human condition. From the moment I saw the depth my actors brought to the first rehearsal, I knew I wanted to be completely hands on with this project," said director Liam Pietrzyk.
"I first became enamored with Liana's writing when I saw a recording of a staged reading in New York City of another one of her pieces, Before This New Year, starring Natalia Dyer from Stranger Things. Liana has a unique style unlike any other playwright I've read - profound yet youthful, humorous yet grounded in realism. I just knew I had to collaborate with her and bring one of her works to Chicago. It took me a few years and a few attempts, but we finally made it happen. When she sent me The Years Between Us, I knew from just the first few pages that I wanted to be the one to produce the world premier" said Executive Producer Jonathan James.
Jonathan James (Executive Producer) is a Chicagoland director, producer, music director, and vocal and acting coach who began his career as an actor at age six. He served as youth vocal and acting coach for Broadway in Chicago and Chicagoland Theatre Fund's Children of Eden at the Cadillac Palace. His recent directing credits include the Lou Award-nominated Prodigal Son for Elgin Theater Company, Independent Players' The Outsiders, both which he transferred to the Athenaeum Center, and a staged reading of The Importance of Being Earnest for The Lodge Foundation. He has music-directed Heathers and tick, tick...BOOM! for Point2Productions and co-founded the Chicagoland Theatre Fund and JK Entertainment where he serves as Executive Director.
Performance Information
The Years Between Us by Liana Sonenclar
October 15 and 16 at 8 PM; October 18 at 2 PM
The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
Tickets: $20; students and seniors $15
https://ticketstripe.com/yearsbetweenus
Run time: 1 hour
