PR Productions is doing what no other local theatre group has ever attempted, and they’re doing it for the second time. In just 24 hours of consecutive rehearsal time, over a dozen actors and actresses will create a full length musical performance.
The “24 Hour Theatre Project: Take 2,” presented by PR Productions opens Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. for a two performance run. The production will also be presented on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Both shows are at the Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad Street, Sandwich.
Tickets for the production are $12 until 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening if purchased on the company’s website. Tickets after 5:00 p.m. on Friday will be sold for $15 at the door.
The “24 Hour Theatre Project: Take 2” will challenge 20 local actors and actresses, plus a crew of 7 with producing a full length musical after just 24 hours of rehearsal. PR Productions produced the first “24 Hour Theatre Project” last fall and performed a revue of popular Broadway show tunes. This year, a published and scripted musical has been chosen.
“We knew that a popular musical would be selected for this year’s Project,” said Kris Pagoria, Co-Founder of PR Productions and director of the project. “It was a tough decision, but I know we have selected a winner.”
The organization has been posting daily secrets and teasers with clues to this year’s show selection on their Facebook page.
“We started with a list of 24 possible show selections,” said Pagoria. “Each day we’ve eliminated one or two.”
The group says they plan to have ten musicals remaining on the list at 6:00 p.m. this Friday when the winning selection is announced to the cast, and the vigorous overnight rehearsals begin. Some of the possible shows include “Drowsy Chaperone,” “Grease,” “The Wedding Singer,” “Hairspray” and a few others.
Cast members will gather on the evening of Friday, July 20 at 6:00 p.m. At that time, specific details on the project will be announced to the project members. Rehearsals will begin immediately and will continue for 24 hours. At the conclusion of that time, project members will break for one hour, and then open the show for public performances.
The production will not be announced to the community until Friday night as well, preserving the secrecy that has become such a large mystery about the project.
“The cast has gone to some pretty interesting lengths in trying to figure out what the show is,” said Chris Roe, Co-Founder of PR Productions. “Keeping a secret is pretty difficult, but we’ve done well so far.”
Roe said that no matter what production is selection, the production crew can guarantee a family-friendly production. He explained that this project is more than just putting on a show.
“The show is just the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” he shared. “We’re asking for belief in our desire to challenge ourselves as performers and for the faith and support from our community.”
The project is funded independently and all proceeds will be used for similar projects in the future.
The “24 Hour Theatre Project” has received in-kind donations from Stonefire Restaurant, Jimmy Johns and Froots of Yorkville, Tastee Bite and Gonzo’s Pizza of Plano, Pizza Hut, Gene’s Chicken of Sandwich, Pattelli’s of Yorkville and Nel’s Catering of Somonauk.
For more information on PR Productions’ “24 Hour Theatre Project,” log on to the group’s website at www.wewantpr.com or find “PR Productions” on Facebook.
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