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Willeyworld Community Productions announces
Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite as third annual summer production, with special guest stars
Walt Willey (All My Children’s “Jackson Montgomery”) and Kim “Howard” Johnson (ImprovOlympic) will be presenting Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite at the Ottawa High School auditorium July 29, 30, and 31.
Tickets are being sold through the Ottawa Visitor’s Center at 815-434-2737 and their web site, experienceottawa.com. This production marks Willeyworld Community Productions’ third annual summer play on the Ottawa stage after 2009’s The Odd Couple and 2010’s Arsenic and Old Lace.
“We picked this play for many reasons. You can’t go wrong with Neil Simon, and the way the play is structured, it’s actually like three one-act plays”, says Johnson. “This gave us some much needed flexibility because with Walt’s schedule on All My Children we knew he wouldn’t be able to be here as early or as often as last year. It also allows us to team up a professional and a local amateur in each of the vignettes. That’s right; besides Walt, we have two guest artists this year, not just one!”
In the role of Norma Hubley is All My Children alumnus Taylor Miller. Taylor originated the role of “Nina Cortlandt” in 1979 and wowed audiences as one half of Daytime’s most popular couples - “Cliff and Nina” - until 1989.
“With the imminent demise of All My Children, I thought it would be especially exciting to bring in some one from the “classic” years, and Taylor leapt to mind”, explains Willey. “She’s an incredibly talented actress and we were thrilled when she said ‘yes.’” Taylor lives in Chicago where she is busy in the theatre community and works as a health coach.
The role of “Sam Nash” will be played by Kale Browne, who was One Life to Live’s “Sam Rappaport.” Kale has also been seen on Dynasty, Knots Landing, Dallas, and Days of Our Lives, and was married to actress Karen Allen from 1988 to 1998.
“I’ve known Kale for years and years,” says Willey. “We were on Another World at roughly the same time, and he joined One Life to Live in 1998. In 1993 he was with us on All My Children, playing my girlfriend-at-the-time, ‘Laurel Banning’s’ ex-husband. She killed him and we rolled him up in a rug and dragged him out of there!” Willey laughs. “I guess I owe him!”
Ottawa’s own Mary Fennessey Morgan will be featured opposite Kale as she portrays “Karen Nash.” “Mary is the unseen hero of our productions, both acting and backstage,” notes Johnson. “We would not—and could not—attempt any of these productions without our shepherdess. In fact, were it not for a chance encounter with her two-and-a-half years ago, we never would have started producing shows in Ottawa.”
Returning to the stage in Plaza Suite are local actors Randy Oltman of Streator - who many will remember as “Murray” in The Odd Couple” and “Teddy” in Arsenic and Old Lace – and Morris’ Deb Torri, who played the role of “Elaine” in Arsenic and Old Lace.” Erica Quirk of Minooka will also be returning…sort of. “Erica was our stand-in for Julia Barr last year until Julia came in for rehearsals a couple weeks before the show”, Willey explains. “She was fabulous in the role of ‘Abby Brewster’ and we desperately wanted to get her on stage with us actually performing in the run of the play.”
Newcomers to WilleyWorld Community Productions include Ottawa’s Rachel Hettrick and Morgan Johnson, and David Zallis of LaSalle-Peru. Marquette High School’s Maureen Wolfe will be directing.
“More and more, we are drawing talent from the Illinois Valley area, not just Ottawa,” notes Johnson. “We are becoming a regional theatre of sorts, and we are thrilled to have Maureen representing Marquette High School this year.”
Plaza Suite marks WilleyWorld Community Productions’ third annual effort in developing a self-sustaining theatre for the Ottawa community as well as a mentorship program for youths in the Ottawa area.
WilleyWorld Community Productions is proud to again be joining with the City of Ottawa, Illinois to launch Ottawa’s newly extended City of Ottawa Riverfest, which opens with Plaza Suite and continues Wednesday, August 3 through August 7, 2011.
Mr. Willey and Mr. Johnson, along with local advisor and coordinator, Ms. Morgan, are pleased to continue bringing theatre to Ottawa. “The community support for and the success of our two previous productions made it clear that there is a place for this kind of theatre in Ottawa,” commented Willey. “The fusion of community and professional talents and resources made for a truly exciting experience and we can’t wait to do it again!”
Also credited for last year’s successful run were many Ottawa area merchants.
"We also have some returning sponsors that have been there for us since the very beginning", notes Willey. "Illinois Office Supply, Bill Walsh Automotive, Handy Foods, Herman's Liquors, the Hi-Way Restaurant, Golden Rule Lumber, Turk Furniture, JJ’s Pub, The Ottawa Visitor’s Center, LaSalle County, and many others have pledged their continued support, and it means the world to us". "It would be very difficult to do what we do without the tremendous support these local businesses have given us", commented Willey. "And it's this fantastic sense of community that makes this such a pleasure...for all of us!"
Mr. Johnson played the role of “Oscar Madison” in the 2009 production of The Odd Couple, the role of Jonathan in Arsenic and Old Lace, and is the definitive chronicler of “Monty Python” (Monty Python’s Tunisian Holiday). He has taught and directed improvisational comedy in Chicago and Santa Barbara, CA., and is co-author of Truth in Comedy. A longtime improvisational actor, Howard appeared in the Monty Python film Life of Brian and John Cleese's Personal Best on A&E; he has also performed with Chicago's ImprovOlympic, and on-stage locally with Ottawa Community Players and Stage 212.
Mr. Willey has portrayed Jackson Montgomery on ABC’s All My Children for over 25 years. He was last seen on stage in Ottawa in the role of “Felix Ungar” in The Odd Couple and as “Mortimer” in Arsenic and Old Lace. In New York, Walt has appeared off-Broadway in Dust Off with Dan Lauria and Night of the Bear, directed by Michael Mann. In 1992, Walt co-starred off-Broadway with Cady McLain and Bernie Barrow in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. He has been a stand-up comic for over twenty years, headlining in clubs nationally, and hosts many charity events.
For more information and interviews, please contact Walt Willey
at wwilley@aol.com or Kim “Howard” Johnson at khjohnson@earthlink.net.
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