illi News - ALIVE and KICKING: LAUGHTER NEVER GETS OLD has its World Premiere July 11-20 in St. Charles, IL

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ST. CHARLES, Ill. - illiNews -- ALIVE AND KICKING: LAUGHTER NEVER GETS OLD, a musical comedy revue about the joys and jokes of senior life in America, will have its world premiere at the Moonlight Theatre, July 11-20, in St. Charles, IL.

The show is conceived and written by Stephan DeGhelder, an award-winning lyricist/comedy writer (LICENSE TO BASH, PRIME RIBBING, LAUGHING MATTERS) and playwright (A KISS FROM ALEXANDER, MEETING MR. RIGHT, WHEN JENNY COMES MARCHING HOME, DICKENS OF A CAROL), and Broadway/Regional theatre veteran.

In ALIVE AND KICKING: LAUGHTER NEVER GETS OLD, "A talented cast of vibrant seniors, and a couple of juniors for that wrinkle-free look, will entertain you with clever replace-the-lyrics song parodies and comedy sketches," DeGhelder said. "Think Carol Burnett Show meets Forbidden Broadway. Yes, we're that old."

DeGhelder began writing sharp, satirical political comedy revues in 1994 for LICENSE TO BASH in Sarasota, FL, to rave reviews. The show ran in cabarets and theatre venues with updated sequels keeping up with news and events for many years. His political satirical revue, PRIME RIBBING, had a successful run in 2011 in Asheville, NC.

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Theatergoers in the Chicagoland area may remember his Gay Fantasy musical A KISS FROM ALEXANDER, which had its world premiere at the Bailiwick in Chicago, in 2006, garnering four nominations from the prestigious Jefferson Citation Awards including Best New Musical that year.

ALIVE AND KICKING features an original song, "Souvenirs," by composer/musical director Brad Simmons (HOOD: THE ROBIN HOOD MUSICAL ADVENTURE, LYSISTRATA JONES, TO WONG FOO THE MUSICAL (upcoming)), who has collaborated with DeGhelder on a various projects including ALEXANDER.

The Moonlight Theatre is a "great space for what I call 'Manhattan-style cabaret theatre,'" DeGhelder said. According to the website, the theatre in downtown St. Charles, IL, has its roots in vaudeville and silent movies. Built in 1900, the Idle Hour Theater was known in its early years solely for its live vaudeville entertainment. Closing in 1926, the building has gone through many owners and has housed different businesses over the years; the new owners have lovingly restored the theatrical space and the venue as the Moonlight Theatre.

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DeGhelder, who is also directing the show, has been a member of Actor's Equity for 51 years, is a member of the Dramatist Guild and has numerous Broadway, Off-Broadway and Regional theatre credits for performing, choreography, and directing. Music is directed by Richard Trost. The show stars Michael La Fleur, Nancy Greco, Judy Rossignuolo-Rice, Rose McReynolds, Ken Kordick and Nikolai Sorokin. Executive Producer, Joseph Mennella. July 11 through July 20. Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm. Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm. Moonlight Theatre, 7 S 2nd Avenue, St. Charles, IL. For tickets, go to MoonlightTheatre.com.