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5th of July
by Lanford Wilson
directed by Michael Weber
reviewed Ed Vincent

Austin Gardens is a wonderful setting for this staged
drama mounted on an M.C. Escher inspired design.
The drama begins with some people we may know from
other Wilson writings, though with years applied to their
bones. This is an ecletic group of folks.

Some of the other characters in the family, immediate
and extended are less interesting and at time pedestrian
in their intellect, even banal. The verbal tessellations
of gay men, a megalomaniac kid, old lovers, and nostalgic
elders is certainly a mix of individuals. This mix of
roles might have been felt to play well to our regions
diversity, but the script seems wanting until the latter
half of the play.

On a summer night in the friendly home of the Oak Park
Festival Theatre, Austin gardens a great place to meet with
your friends, have a snack and see some fine acting. The
actors in this drama are replete in their skills of performance,

Come and enjoy an evening under the stars and note how
normal your family might seem, after the event staged for
your entertainment shows you what wild is.

Cast and Crew

Lydia Berger (June)
Danny Bernardo (Jed)
Brandon Dahlquist (John)
Charles Gardner (Wes)
Glynis Gilio (Shirley)
Rebekah Ward-Hays (Gwen)
Kate Kisner (Sally)
Stef Tovar (Ken)
Kieran Welsh-Phillips (u/s Gwen & June)

Director: Michael Weber
Stage Manager: Robert W Behr
Costume: Ricky Lurie
Lights: Jeremy Getz
Sound: Kyle Irwin
Set: El Fish
House Manager: Jeff Weisman
Box Office: Mary Liming

Review of Talley's Folly

The sequel to Wilson's acclaimed Talley's Folly, which was produced by Festival Theatre in 2007. Set in rural Missouri
in 1977, it revolves around the Talley family and their friends, and focuses on the disillusionment with America in the wake of an unpopular war. At once poignent and marvelously funny, Fifth of July is a compassionate portrait of a generation trying to decide whether to abandon their past
or find the courage to cope with it and to begin anew. In 1978 Fifth of July was nominated for the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best new play and the Tony Award for Best Play.

Cast and Crew

Performances June 10 - July 11
Thursday - Saturday: 8 p.m. / Sunday: 7 p.m.
Previews: June 10 and 11
Opening night: Friday, June 12
Special performances: Wednesdays July 1 and 8 at 8 p.m.
(No performance on Friday, July 4)

Tickets
Previews (June 10 & 11) All Tickets $15
Wednesdays & Thursdays - $22 Adults
Thursdays - $17 Seniors/Students
Fridays thru Sundays - $27 Adults
Friday thru Sundays - $22 Seniors/Students
Wednesdays are Student & Senior Discount Nights - only $10 per ticket! Please see below for definitions of students and seniors.
Every Thursday is Industry Night: $10 with headshot/resume or
Industry card.

Purchase tickets online. Please enable "popups" on your computer to effectively use this ticketing option. Print out your receipt and bring it to our box office. Don't want to buy your tickets online? You may call our office to make a reservation. 708-445-4440

Already an online subscriber? Log on to your account. Select your performance, and bring your eTicket receipt to the box office.

Outdoors in Austin Gardens, 100 block of N. Forest, Oak Park. Get directions to Austin Gardens Parking in garage on Forest, across from theatre gate entrance.

You must be 65 or over to qualify for our Senior discount. Full-time students qualify for our Student discount. Theatre Industry members, please bring a headshot and resume or show a theatre industry card for Industry Nights. This play is not recommended for children under 12.

Make an online or phone reservation
Online and phone reservations are always welcome. Please email the Theatre at festival@oakparkfestival.com, or call our office at 708-445-4440. (If requesting a reservation on the day of the performance we strongly suggest reserving by phone.) Please be sure to note your full name,email address, phone number, performance date and how many tickets you would like. We will call or email you within 24 hours to confirm your reservation. If you make your reservation on the day of the show, you may not get a confirmation. Please just arrive 1/2 an hour before showtime (Thursday thru Saturday, shows start at 8pm. Sundays, shows start at 7pm). The park has plenty of room, reservations are not necessary.

Group Discounts
Enjoy a memorable evening in the park with your employees, co-workers, group or association. Groups of 15 or more enjoy reduced ticket prices. Please call Galen Gockel at 708-445-4440 for group reservations.

Picnic in the Park
Bring a blanket, bring a chair. Bring a picnic, or order some great food delivered to the Park by the Oak Park Cosi. (708) 524-3434. See the menu, and check for details.