Lester’s Breakdown Suite
by Eric Appleton
A lot of life can happen on Rose Harrison’s front porch. The world ends and the world is reborn.
In “Lester’s Breakdown Suite” a world premiere comedy-drama written by Eric Appleton and directed by Artistic Director Don Bilotti, we are reminded that sometimes the simplest things contain the mightiest truths - and those truths can be discovered in the unlikeliest of places. Appleton fearlessly attacks the big subjects of redemption, forgiveness and rebirth, all on a porch in De Kalb, Illinois.
‘Lester’ was the winner of Stage 3’s nationally recognized Festival of New Plays last year and earned a full production which will open on July 1. The Festival is dedicated to finding the brightest rising stars of the theatrical world and giving their work an opportunity to be born.
“Where our last production (“Accomplice”) gave our audience a white knuckle ride down the rapids, this is a more gentle trip in still waters that run deep.” says director Bilotti. “It’s risky, exciting territory for us. Working on a new piece is exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I love this play, I love what it says about human beings, and I love the fact that Stage 3 has been allowed to bring it to the world.”
The play is divided into three movements, “As It Is”, “As It Was”, and “As It Shall Be”.
In the first, we meet wisecracking Rose Harrison, portrayed by veteran Bette Laws in a dramatic stage comeback. Cantankerous and feisty, Rose rules her world from her front porch with an iron fist wrapped in a comic glove. But Rose is a woman with a secret.
Rose Lives with her mentally handicapped grown son Lester, played by Brian Harrower, a bundle of energy and a bundle of joy.
In the second, Rose’s family gathers after her death and, bit by bit, like an accidental jigsaw puzzle, the pieces of their lives are joined and Rose’s darkest secret is revealed.
In the powerfully uplifting third movement, a long-lost family member arrives with the final piece of the puzzle.
Eric Appleton is a freelance lighting and set designer based in Chicago. He has had numerous short pieces performed as part of Chicago Dramatist’s Ten-Minute Workshop series. His Play “Alice Delmonico’s World Without End” was given a staged reading at Chicago Dramatist’s and later workshopped in Prop Thtr’s New Play Series. His “Tiny Tales of Terror” was produced at the Bailiwick Repertory Theatre as was “Izzy’s Request”. Many of his other works have received recognition in workshops and festivals. His lighting and set design work has been seen in such venues as L’Opera Piccola, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre and the Circle Theater. He Holds an MFA in Lighting Design and has taught at The College of Wooster, Carroll College and Elmhurst College.
In addition to Laws and Harrower, the powerhouse cast includes recent L.A. transplant Susan Michael, Don Pierazzi, Wendy Miller, Eric Owens, Charlene West, Jordan Horn and David Nessl.
Set Design will be by Denny Anderson and Lighting Design by Matthew Leamy.
“Lester’s Breakdown Suite” is proudly sponsored by Quail Hollow One and is partially made possible by a grant from the Irvine Foundation.