EP Candlelight Theatre Presents 1944 Drama, 'Song Of Bernadette,' Friday, Saturday, Sunday

EVERGREEN PARK, IL—The Evergreen Park Recreation Department Candlelight Theatre community theater program will present the drama The Song of Bernadette for three performances this coming weekend, May 15 through May 17.

The 1944 dramatic play by Jean Kerr, best known for “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,” and her husband, the esteemed drama critic Walter Kerr, is adapted from the Franz Werfel’s novel. The novel and play are based on the true story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young girl living in Lourdes, France, in 1858.

While looking for firewood with her sisters and a family friend, Bernadette claimed to have a vision of a “Beautiful Lady” in the grotto of Massabielle, who later identified herself to Bernadette as “the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette was ostracized by villagers, the church community, and legal authorities, who believed her to be insane. By the time she passed away at a young age in a convent in Nevers, France, her story was accepted as truth. She was canonized as St. Bernadette by Pope Pius XI in 1933.

Headlining the play is Evergreen Park resident Evelyn Shimek as Bernadette. The cast also includes local performers Charlotte Westman, Shea Vail, Caroline Konieczny, Cathi Diamond, Mary Pniewski, Tony Carsella, Brianna Mooney, Andrew Kenny, Betty Kort, Kevin Denny, Brian Giblin, Arthur and Emma Collins, Hayden Boeschel, Sara Von Borstel, Scott Dyczkowski, Mary Madden, Amy Pniewski and Amy Infanger.

Performances take place on Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 16 at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. All performances take place in the Performance Hall at the Evergreen Park Senior Center, 9547 S. Homan Avenue.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students/seniors and are available at the Maher Community Center (3450 W. 97th Street) as well as online at EP Candlelight Theatre Song of Bernadette.

Depending on advance ticket sales, tickets will be available at the door on the day of each performance (cash or check sales only).

Please note that this is the dramatic play version, and not the musical 'Bernadette,' which recently played in Chicago.