Welcome to Our 17th Season

Steel Beam Theatre 2017 – 2018

Winner of Reader’s Choice Award 2017Kane County Chronicle

In our 17th season at Steel Beam, we explore the journeys we all make in life. To find family, make connections, and realize love. Along the way we meet characters who long to connect with each other. Some succeed, some never do.

This season, we’re expanding our programming from six productions to seven for a season package. And we’ve added a choice of productions for your holiday fun. Take a look: we are offering more stories, more music, more prize winners, and three Midwest premieres.

We’re excited to offer you more choices and the best seats in the house!

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

Take the Journey with Us!

© 2017 Steel Beam Theatre. All rights reserved. Visit steelbeam.com/tickets

Best regards,Marge Uhlarik-Boller

Welcome to Steel Beam Theatre!

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

The best place to see live theatre is in downtown St. Charles!

TAKING JOURNEYSOur season explores the journeys we all make in life

to find family, make connections, get ahead and realize love.

Sometimes we take these journeys alone. Sometimes with parents or siblings, with lovers or

those we fear.

What we find when we reach our destination, often surprises and will always engage your imagination.

This original musical evening takes us on a journey through the major milestones of Broadway hits - and near misses – that make up the American showtune century. From the era of Ziegfeld to the era of big blockbuster musicals, this show will have your toes tapping and your heart singing.

100 YEARS OF BROADWAY:A Sentimental Journey through a Century of American Musicals

September 8—September 24, 2017 “Singing our way down Broadway.”

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

Conceived and Directed by Doug Orlyk

Making God Laugh

October 13—November 5, 2017

2017/2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

By Sean GrennanDirected by Madeline Franklin

“"If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans..."--W. Allen

Follow Ruthie and Bill's grown children -- a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former football star – when all return home. We learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The empty-nester parents contend with their own changes, too, as old family rituals are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. As time passes, the family discovers that, despite what we may have in mind as a goal, we often arrive at unexpected destinations.

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

TWICE THE NICE FOR THE HOLIDAYSThis year, in alternating performances, we're presenting fun takes on two classics. Season ticket holders, choose one for your subscription. Or, add the second and get twice the fun.

November 24—December 30, 2017

It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Playby Joe Landrydirected by Marge Uhlarik-Boller

10 performances November 24-26 December 8-10December 22-24, 30

““Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” –- Zuzu Bailey

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carolby Tom Mula

directed by Susan Barry

8 performances December 1-3

December 15-17 December 29

“I wear the chains I forged in life.”

A Midwest premiere, this lacerating view into the world of private equity traders takes you through the anatomy of a deal that will change people's lives. With biting wit and shrewd insight, this play pulls back the veil on the world of high finance and what it takes to arrive at the bottom line. This play debuted in New York City in 2016 to rave reviews and acclaim.

by Sarah Burgess

Directed by Sean Hargadon

Dry Powder

January 12—February 4, 2018

“"Dark, funny, sleek and well-told…"—WNYC.

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

Three the Hard Way

How far must sisters go to finally come together around their memories, grievances and the sudden death of their ne’er do well, gambler father? About as far as a Reno, Nevada motel room it seems.

Three strong sisters take steps to reconnect, grieve and reframe their past - and future - in this surprising comedy with a full-on heart tug all the way through. Winner of the Gilmore Creek Play Competition, Three the Hard Way is another Midwest premiere this season at SBT.

By Lisa Eisenstein

Directed by Ann Keen

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

“February 24—March 19, 2017February 23—March 18, 2018

“Forget three – terrible odds on three.”

Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietroMusic by Jimmy Roberts

Directed by Bernie Weiler

I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change

April 6—April 29, 2018

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

“This is MY love life!”- Said Everyone

This witty musical revue tackles the journey of modern love in all its forms - from the perils and pitfalls of the first date to marriage, children, and the twilight years of life. This highly popular musical has been produced to wide acclaim because no matter where your love life has begun or led you, you can enjoy this insightful and hilarious musical.

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

This 2013 Pulitzer-prize finalist offers a funny, moving look at two outsiders who must find their way to connect in a complicated world. A young man suffers a major loss while on a cross-country bike trip. He makes his way to the apartment of his feisty grandmother and, over time, these unlikely roommates cross a bewildering and infuriating distance to reach each other. Another Fox Valley premiere at Steel Beam this season!

by Lisa HerzogDirected by Larry Boller

(Rights Pending)“A funny, moving, wonderful drama.“

- The New York Times

4,000 Miles

May 18—June 10, 2018

1 Season = 7 shows = $ 140 [$125 seniors]

Our season subscription gives you SEVEN shows – five plays, 2 musicals

2 ways to subscribe:

• Choose the performance dates and your seat in advance when you purchase your subscription. This means you are sure to have the seat you want at the performance you choose.

• If you don’t know your availability for performance dates, purchase your subscription and select the “choose dates and seats later” option. Simple.

Should you need to exchange tickets, we’re very flexible. After all, we want you to subscribe, but we want you to see our productions, too!

“We want YOU as a a subscriber.”

Visit steelbeam.com/tickets

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

2017-2018 Season at Steel Beam Theatre

We’d love to reserve a seat for you!

Steel Beam Theatre presents passionate, engaging, provoking - but always entertaining - professional theatre that's accessible and affordable to all audiences.

Our mission includes developing programs that build and foster interest in the performing arts for future generations. To that end we are a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization in order to pursue youth and community outreach, training and education.

Award-winning professional theatre up close on Main Street

Live actors – no avatars*Unique, intimate spacePrize winners, 3 Midwest premieres2 musicals, 5 plays + a choice of holiday showAll up close, personal, and unplugged

ALL 3D - ALL THE TIME

Just $140 for 7 shows

Visit steelbeam.com/tickets

*we don’t even know what those are, but they don’t sound like theatre to us!