First Folio Presents World Premiere Comedy Waiting for Tina Meyer

First Folio Theatre is proud to present an online streaming production of WAITING FOR TINA MEYER, by Kristine Thatcher, with material by Larry Shue. This one-act comedy invites the audience to join Walter and Bob, two journeyman actors, as they have a couple of drinks in Finnegan’s Roadhouse while they wait to see if the mysterious Tina Meyer will show up. As they wile away the time with Robin the bartender and Carl the piano player, they enjoy a couple of songs and some pithy insights about life, love, and trodding the boards. This WORLD PREMIERE will be available for streaming beginning May 11 and running through May 23.

The play was written by Kristine Thatcher based on notes left to her by the late playwright Larry Shue. A staple of acting, directing, and playwrighting in Chicago for many years, Kristine went on to become the artistic director of both Boarshead Theater and Stormfield Theater in her hometown of Lansing, Michigan, where she still resides. Her plays include Among Friends (winner of the 1997 Scott McPherson Memorial Award), Voice of Good Hope (nominated for 2000 Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work) and Emma's Child (winner of the 1995 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, a 1997 Illinois Arts Council Fellowship, the 1997 RESOLVE "Award for Excellence in the Arts," the 1997 Cunningham Prize for Playwriting from DePaul University, and the 1997 After Dark Award for Outstanding New Work). Larry Shue was the author of such popular comedies as The Nerd and The Foreigner. Larry was killed in an aircraft accident in 1985. Kristine and Larry worked together at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, where Kristine appeared in the world premiere of The Nerd.

Waiting for Tina Meyer is directed by Leda Hoffman, with original music and sound design by Christopher Kriz and video editing and production by Bobby Richards. The play also includes the song “King Richard De-Terred” with music and lyrics by Larry Shue, arranged by Andrew Callis. The cast includes Kevin Tre’Von Patterson as Walter, Dan Klarer as Bob, Tina Muñoz Pandya as Robin, Tom Hickey as Carl, and Renée Lockett as the Lady in the Bar.

Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can basis. Upon purchase, customers will receive a one-time use passcode that will allow them to watch the streaming video on the date they have chosen. Tickets may be purchased at http://www.firstfolio.org .

As a way to help bring cheer to its patrons during the current pandemic, First Folio is also offering two different reading series that will help people find an extra measure of joy for themselves and their families: First Folio Bedtime Tales and The First Folio Storytellers Series. Both series debuted in February and will be running through July 15. They are available free of charge on First Folio’s YouTube channel. Links may be found at http://www.firstfolio.org .

Once theaters are able to open again, First Folio Theatre looks forward to returning to full production, with its usual blend of comedy, drama, and gothic suspense, including the world premieres of The Jigsaw Bride and Agatha Christie’s The Secret Council. All live performances will take place at Mayslake Hall, on the grounds of the Mayslake Peabody Estate, located at 1717 31st St., off Rt. 83, in Oak Brook. Advance tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling the box office at 630.986.8067 or online at http://www.firstfolio.org.