This Just In: The following is a news release written by an arts organization, submitted to Chicago On the Aisle.

Glencoe, IL– Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, adds another week of performances to the run of TREVOR the musical. The production is directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway), with book and lyrics by Dan Collins, music by Julianne Wick Davis, music direction by Matt Deitchman, orchestrations by Greg Pliska and choreography byJosh Prince, by special arrangement with U Rock Theatricals. TREVOR the musical now runs through October 8, 2017 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe.

Tickets for TREVOR, now running through October 8, are currently on sale. Subscriptions and individual tickets, priced $35-$80, may be purchased online at www.writerstheatre.org, by phone at 847-242-6000, or in person at the box office, 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe.

“We are thrilled to announce a second extension to our already record-setting run of TREVOR,” says Executive Director Kate Lipuma. “This is turning into the best-selling production in WT history and we are incredibly grateful for the incredible response to the play and its message.  Whether we know a Trevoror we ourselves were a Trevor, there is no better time to share this moving and important story.”

“I am delighted to see that this beautiful brave new musical is resonating with so many of our audiences,” adds Artistic Director Michael Halberstam. “This story is clearly touching the heart and soul of everyone who sees it, and is inspiring them to spread the word about the production.  It bodes well for its future, which we firmly believe will be long-lived and far-reaching. We are very proud of all the artists who collaborated on making TREVOR such a strong start to our 2017/18 season.”

Trevor is a 13-year-old boy in 1981 whose vibrant imagination drives a turbulent journey of self-discovery. As he deals with adolescence and all that goes with it, Trevor begins to explore what it means to be himself, influenced by his friends, parents, and his musical idol.

Based on the story that inspired the Academy Award-winning film, the charity and the national movement, TREVOR the musical is a coming-of-age story about identity, emerging sexuality and the struggles of growing up in a world that may not be ready for you. This world premiere musical is directed by Marc Bruni, who helmed the Tony Award-winning production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway.

The Trevor Project was created as a result of the Academy Award-winning film that also inspired TREVOR the musical. The Trevor Project is the nation’s only accredited crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization focused on saving young LGBTQ lives. www.TheTrevorProject.org.

The cast includes: Nathaniel Braga (Ensemble), Ariana Burks (Ensemble), Declan Desmond (Pinky), Timothy Eidman (Ensemble), Sophie Grimm (Mom/Mrs. Kerr), Maya Lou Hlava (Frannie), Isabel Kaegi (Ensemble), Eloise Lushina (Mary), Carly Meyer (Ensemble), Jhardon DiShon Milton (Jack), Justin O’Brien (Ensemble), Reilly Oh (Jason), Jerome Riley, Jr. (Ensemble), Salisha Thomas (Diana Ross), Eli Tokash (Trevor), Matthew Uzarraga(Walter), Tori Whaples (Cathy), Graydon Peter Yosowitz (Trevor) and Jarrod Zimmerman (Dad/Father Joe/Others).

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT

Accessible Performances

ASL-Interpreted performance: Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Open-Captioned performance: Friday, September 15, 2017 at 7:30 pm

Post Show Conversation: The Word

Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding previews and extensions) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Post Show Conversation: The Artist

Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding previews and extensions) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

Pre-Show Conversation: Up Close

Join us at 6:45pm before every Thursday evening performance (excluding previews and extensions) for a 15-minute primer on the context and content of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.

For more information about Writers Theatre Audience Enrichment programs visit writerstheatre.org/events.

RIDE METRA TO WRITERS THEATRE

In an effort to promote taking public transit to the Theatre, Writers Theatre launched a new promotion in 2013. Any audience member who purchases a ticket to a Writers Theatre production and rides Metra’s Union Pacific North Line to the Theatre may snap a photo of themselves on the train and post it to their Facebook or Instagram page or their Twitter feed with a tag of @WritersTheatre and #[the title of the show], and upon showing the post at the Writers Theatre Box Office, receive $5 in cash to put toward the cost of your fare as a thank you for going green.

This promotion is available for a limited time only, and may end without warning. Ticket must have been paid for in advance. Not valid on comp tickets. More information available at writerstheatre.org/metra

WRITERS THEATRE PARTNERS

Writers Theatre is pleased to welcome back BMO Harris Bank as the 2017/18 Season Sponsor, and ComEd as the Official Lighting Sponsor of the 2017/18 Season. The Major Corporate Sponsor for TREVOR the musical is Northern Trust. The Major Production Sponsor is Mary Pat Studdert. The Artists Council Sponsors are David and Leslie McGranahan as well as Marcie and Avy Stein. Additional support for TREVOR the musical is provided by the Director’s Society Sponsors.

Title:                                      TREVOR the musical

Book and Lyrics by:        Dan Collins

Music by:                      Julianne Wick Davis

Based on the Academy Award-winning film Trevor

Orchestrations by:          Greg Pliska

Music Direction by:         Matt Deitchman

Choreography by:           Josh Prince

Directed by:                  Marc Bruni

Featuring:                            Nathaniel Braga, Ariana Burks, Declan Desmond, Timothy Eidman, Sophie Grimm, Maya Lou Hlava, Isabel Kaegi, Eloise Lushina, Carly Meyer, Jhardon DiShon Milton, Justin O’Brien, Reilly Oh, Jerome Riley, Jr., Salisha Thomas, Eli Tokash, Matthew Uzarraga, Tori Whaples, Graydon Peter Yosowitz and Jarrod Zimmerman.

Dates:                             Closing performance: October 8, 2017

Schedule:                             Tuesdays – Fridays: 7:30pm

(with select 3:00pm Wednesday matinees)

Saturdays: 3:00pm and 7:30pm

Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm

Location:                              The Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre

325 Tudor Court, Glencoe

Prices:                                  Prices for all performances range from $35 – $80

Purchase early for best prices

Box Office:                           The Box Office is located at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe;

847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org

Notes of Interest:

TREVOR the musical is based on the Academy Award-winning short film. The film can be seen on YouTube, or by clicking here.

Director Marc Bruni and choreographer Josh Prince are fresh from the Tony Award-winning production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, which has subsequently toured North America, London and an upcoming tour launching this fall in Australia.

Dan Collins (book and lyrics) and Julianne Wick Davis (music) worked together on Southern Comfort, which was produced by the Public Theater in Spring 2016 following productions at Barrington Stage and Cap21 (NY Times and Time Out Critics Pick), and development support at the NAMT Festival of New Musicals and Playwrights Horizons. Southern Comfort received the Jonathan Larson Award and GLAAD Media award. They wrote music and lyrics forWhen We Met, which was developed at the O’Neill Musical Theatre Conference, the York NEO Development Series and had a developmental production at CAP21 in 2014.

The film inspired the creation of The Trevor Project, the nation’s only accredited crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization focused on saving young LGBTQ lives. www.TheTrevorProject.org.

According to The Trevor Project “suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24; the rate of suicide attempts is 4 times greater for LGB youth and 2 times greater for questioning youth than that of straight youth. Suicide attempts by LGB youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.”

Writers is partnering with U Rock Theatricals, a group of young producers, who aim to create a new generation of intelligent and relevant musicals, ultimately for Broadway audiences.