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Ann Landers is coming to Munster

Theatre at the Center announces cast for The Lady with all the Answers​

information provided by Theatre at the Center

Janet Ulrich Brooks (Photo provided)
MUNSTER, Ind. (June 15, 2018) – Janet Ulrich Brooks, making her Theatre at the Center (TATC) debut, is cast as advice columnist Ann Landers in the TATC production of The Lady With All the Answers. Previews begin July 12 with Opening Night on July 15 and performances continuing through August 12.

The Lady With All the Answers, written by David Rambo, gives a behind-the-scenes look at popular syndicated newspaper advice columnist Ann Landers, whose life seemed letter-perfect. With more than 90 million readers each day, she had a quick wit which could be comical and creative, as well as sharp and shocking, all in the same sentence. The play unfolds in Landers’ Lake Shore Drive apartment in Chicago in 1975, where she shares some of her most fascinating stories while preparing to write the most difficult column of her career. In 1978, the World Almanac named Ann Landers “the most influential woman in the U.S.”

The cast

Janet Ulrich Brooks received two Joseph Jefferson Equity Award nominations as an Actress in a Principal Role in a Play as Sonia in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Goodman Theatre, and as Anya in A Walk in the Woods at TimeLine Theatre. Other theatre credits include 33 Variations, All My Sons, When She Danced, Not Enough Air, and Weekend. Brooks’ film credits include roles in Divergent, One Small Hitch, and Conviction. Her television credits include roles in Chicago Med and Chicago Fire.

“I’m tickled to get to play this wonderful woman who devoted a career to understanding people and doing her absolute best to help them,” Brooks said. “I feel as though I grew up with Ann Landers in my home through my mother’s sharing of columns she found funny or helpful or as a conversation starter at the dinner table. She was always very informative.”

The director

Larry Wyatt is Director of The Lady With All the Answers. Wyatt’s previous productions at TATC include directing The Odd Couple, Some Like It Hot, and Over the Tavern.

“This wonderful play captures the straight-talking wisdom and humor that so many of us loved about the Ann Landers advice column,” Wyatt said. “Audiences will enjoy this loving tribute to Ann Landers. She was indeed, the lady with all the answers.”

The creative team

The creative team for The Lady With All the Answers includes Scenic Designer Angela Weber Miller, Lighting Designer Denise Karczewski, Sound Designer Michael J. Patrick, Costume Designer Brenda Winstead, and Wig Designer Kevin Barthel. Stage Manager is Jessica Banaszak.

Linda Fortunato is TATC’s Artistic Director and is teamed with Richard Friedman as General Manager and Ann Davis as Head of Production.

A companion exhibit

To add context and perspective to the play, South Shore Arts is showing a collection titled “Making Headlines: From Ann Landers to Walter Winchell.” The exhibit comprises items once owned by Landers and other media celebrities, on loan from the private collection of journalist Philip Potempa. The collection features Ann Landers’ 1961 Royal Manual Typewriter, personal correspondence, awards, and other interesting items from her estate. “Making Headlines” will be displayed in the Atrium Gallery adjoining the theater lobby, June 22–September 23.

Ticket information

Performances of The Lady With All The Answers are 2:00pm Wednesdays and Thursdays; 7:30pm Fridays; 3:00pm and 7:30pm Saturdays; and 2:30pm on Sundays, with select Thursday and Sunday night performances.

Individual ticket prices range from $42.00-$46.00. Group discounts are available for groups of 11 or more. Student tickets are $20. Gift certificates are also available.

To purchase individual tickets, call the Box Office at 219-836-3255 or Tickets.com at 800-511-1532.

Theatre at the Center is located at 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, Indiana.

 

Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.