Untitled Document

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/wheatonsun/lifestyles/grant/1264978,6_1_NA07_WSGRANT_S1.article

Wheaton Drama 'at play' for longer than they can remember
by Jennifer Grant

November 7, 2008

A thick, orange extension cord lies across the carpet, bisecting the lobby into two neat triangles. There is a strong smell of cleaning solution. A mop handle breaks the silence, falls against the side of a bucket and makes a clanging sound. Inside the empty theater, a few house lights are lit. A game of poker seems to have ended abruptly. There are potato chip bags, beer bottles and white tube socks strewn around. It all waits: The stage is set for the opening scene of "The Odd Couple," which will open the next night.

A volunteer pulls a ladder around the lobby and then into the theater. He checks light bulbs in each of the exit signs. Like many members of Wheaton Drama, he has been a part of the group for decades. Yes, decades. The theater's Web site boasts that it has been "at play" for 76 years, but that is too modest. Wheaton Drama Inc. carries on the work of a theater club that began even earlier. Before World War I, "Wheaton Drama Club" was started and composed of about 100 members. But, in 1918, while Woodrow Wilson was their president and Charlie Chaplain a revered celebrity, the theater club on Main Street closed its doors. They just couldn't continue their work during wartime.

A new incarnation of the theater appeared in 1927. By then, Calvin Coolidge was the president, and Charles Lindbergh would soon make news by crossing the Atlantic Ocean, nonstop, by airplane. The "drama reading circle" begun that year was composed of about 20 members, all women. According to Wheaton Drama lore, the "ladies" soon decided to welcome men into the group after noting that it was tricky for them to play all the roles; some men, in fact, could be of use. A few years later, when the second World War was still years off, some of the drama club members reorganized and formed the Wheaton Drama Club. There were no productions in 1935 or 1936 because of the Great Depression. But, still, the group remained intact and, in 1978, changed its name to Wheaton Drama Inc. In 1993, the theater moved into its current location. The building is called "Playhouse 111," named for its address on Hale Street in downtown Wheaton.

Wheaton Drama is staffed by volunteers. Polly Ludena, the theater's publicity chair, said that some Wheaton Drama members have theater training and experience. All members, regardless of their backgrounds, are committed to using their skills to create high-quality productions. There are more than 300 members of Wheaton Drama Inc. Ludena estimates that at least a third are "active members." And, though their numbers are large, Ludena says that the members' relationships are more like family than co-workers. She uses that word often when she talks about them: family. They come together monthly for meetings and support each other both in their theater work and in their "ordinary" lives. She says that, just like in real families, they don't always agree, but they remain a tight-knit group.

"We're that relative everyone has, but no one talks about," Ludena jokes. "No really, it's like a family - and we always welcome new members in."

In September, heavy rains caused flooding in the basement of the theater. That space holds costumes, tools and the theater's library of plays. Several Wheaton Drama members spent the night in the basement, sweeping water into drains and protecting the company's resources. "See - family," Ludena says.

The second show of the season, "A Year with Frog and Toad," will open Nov. 21. Like "The Odd Couple," the play is an award-winner. In fact, all five of the plays chosen for this year's season are recipients of honors, including Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prizes. Wheaton Drama has named this year's season "Award-Winning" for just that reason.

The musical "A Year with Frog and Toad" is based on the "Frog and Toad" children's series of books by Arnold Lobel. It tells the story of a friendship: Frog and Toad, unlikely best friends, go on adventures together over the course of a year. It's a family-friendly show - and Ludena notes that they have created a ticket package for families and have added matinees so that a larger number of children in the area can see the show.

"A Year with Frog and Toad looks at adult issues through the eyes of a child," Ludena says. "Theirs is a gentler world."

To buy tickets for "A Year with Frog and Toad" or for more information on Wheaton Drama Inc. and its season, visit www.wheatondrama.org.

Jennifer Grant was born at Central DuPage Hospital in 1967 and grew up in Wheaton. After graduating from Wheaton College, she lived in Dallas and New York City for several years, and then returned home to raise her children. Contact her at connectedlife@sbcglobal.net.