''Hollywood Arms''

Description

THREE GENERATONS OF WOMEN, ONE TOUCHING STORY. Batavia Community Theatre Presents “Hollywood Arms”by Carrie Hamilton & Carol Burnett Inspired by the life story of Carol Burnett, “Hollywood Arms”is the moving story of three generations of women living on welfare in a one-room apartment. The characters include a tough, funny, yet tender, pill-popping Christian Scientist Grandmother; a beautiful wide-eyed and distant mother and struggling writer, drowning her ambitions in a bottle; a loving but absent and alcoholic father; and a young girl whose only escape is up on the roof of their rundown apartment house where she creates her own magical world. In the end, it’s a story about shatteredhopes and realized dreams. “’Hollywood Arms’ isn’t ‘The Carol Burnett Show’. It certainly has humorous moments, but at its heart, it is the story of Carol Burnett’s life growing up in the shadows of glamorous Hollywood, dreaming of a brighter life,” remarks Director, Veronica Krystal, “You won’tfind any Carol Burnett impersonations here; but rather the relatable story of a little girl with a spirit greater than her surroundings. This show was an absolute joy to work on.” Annie Hanlin (Batavia) and Lauren Byckowski (St. Charles) bring the quiet dreamer, Helen to life in her “younger” and“older” years, respectively. Helen and her Grandmother, Nanny (Jeannine Collins of Carol Stream) move to California to live with Helen’s troubled mother, Louise (Jana Sanders of Aurora). Add Alice,Louise’s spoiled daughter that she had out of wedlock (Sophie Evans of North Aurora) and you have three generations of women just trying to make it. Jessica Shinofield (Aurora) is friend and landlord, Dixie, and her precocious son, Malcolm, is played by Josh Gustin of Batavia. The men in Louise’slife are Helen’s alcoholic father, Jody (Galen Malick of Bartlett) and the patient and loving Bill (Jimmy Hoey of Chicago). The cast is rounded out by Tony Parise (Elgin) playing the cop that unfortunately throws a wrench in the women’s money-making plans. The cast is supported by Veronica Krystal(Director); Jennifer Ring (Producer & Stage Manager) and Jon Jocson (Production Assistant). “Hollywood Arms” will run weekends March 1st – 16th. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2 pm. Rated PG-14(LD). The Albright Theatre Company, 100 N. Island Ave. (3rd floor of the Batavia Government Building), Batavia, IL, 60510. Tickets are $13 for Adults & $10 for Students/Seniors. Reservations are recommended – please call (630) 406-8838. For more information, please visit the Albright Theatre website at www.albrighttheatre.com.