World Premiere Techie-Political Thriller at Lewis University

“Little Brother,” a fast-paced techie-political adventure comes to Lewis University’s Philip Lynch Theatre (PLT). Based on the young adult novel by Cory Doctorow and adapted by Josh Costello, it is the show the San Francisco Bay Guardian called “the most exciting thing on stage” and “alive like few other productions.” The show is a near-future thriller, a teenage romance, and a frightening predictor of possibilities to come. The show made its small cast San Francisco debut in 2012, and is making the large cast debut at the PLT.

The play begins as “Little Brother,” 17-year-old hacker Marcus (played by Tyler Senjanin of Evergreen Park) plays electronic cat and mouse games on his computer while skipping school in San Francisco. When the city is the victim of a sudden terrorist attack, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Apprehended by Homeland Security, experiences merciless interrogation. When no one believes his story, Marcus is left with only one option: take down the system himself.

Theatre professor Kevin Trudeau of Chicago is directing “Little Brother” with a talented cast of 14 performers including: Jill Jeffrey of Romeoville, Alfonso Blanco of Alsip, Zachary Abu-Shanab of Plainfield, Justin Anderson of Orland Park, Matthew Carlson of Lockport, Michael Frale of Elk Grove Village, Sean Gallagher of Mokena, Kate O’Neil of Yorkville, Adam Parker of Naperville, Brianna Peoples of Oak Park, Jordin Richards of Tinley Park,

Sylmarie Soto of Joliet, and Rachel Tau of Wood Dale.

Working behind the scenes on this modern day digital thriller are: Jordin Richards of Tinley Park (costume design), Celeste Mackey of Joliet (assistant costume design), Andrew Nelsen of Joliet (scene and light design) Adam Sikorski of Burbank, (sound and still image projection design), Bryan Lochner of Essex (video design), Brianna Reidy of Darien (properties), Allie DiMiele of New Lenox (stage manager), Faith Berry of Joliet (assistant stage manager), Katy Papineau of Kankakee (lightboard operator), Emma McGee of Joliet (projection operator), and Dave Pomatto of Naperville (assistant technical director).

This thought provoking, suspenseful, and emotionally raw show will run Feburary 13-15 and Feburary 19-22 and is recommended for patrons 13 years old and up. The evening performances are 8 p.m. and the Sunday matinees are 2:30 p.m. In addition, there is a matinee performance at 4 p.m. on Feburary 21. Advanced tickets purchases are strongly encouraged. Ticket prices are $10 for an adult, $9 for students and seniors. Lewis students with an ID pay $2. For groups of 15 or more tickets is $8. Tickets are non-refundable. For more information, patrons can check out the PLT Website at www.lewisu.edu/plt, or call the box office (815) 836-5500, Monday through Friday 1-430 p.m. Follow the PLT on Twitter @pltlewisu or like the Philip Lynch Theatre on Facebook.  The theatre is located on the main campus, the Oremus Fine Arts Center on Route 53 in Romeoville.