Timber Lake starts summer with ‘The Nerd’

Jonathan Turner
·2 min read
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Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) in Mount Carroll, Ill., will open its summer mainstage season with “The Nerd” by Larry Shue on May 30.

One of the funniest plays ever written, this extraordinarily inventive, side-splitting comedy centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a man he’s never met but who saved his life in Vietnam, according to a TLP synopsis.

Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Ill.
Timber Lake Playhouse in Mount Carroll, Ill.

The visitor — turning out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly stupid “nerd” — outstays his welcome with a vengeance.

“The Nerd is truly a great piece of entertainment,” said TLP executive director Dan Danielowski. “We are excited to bring this show to our audiences in northwest Illinois.”

Set in Terre Haute, Indiana in late 1979, “The Nerd” centers on a young architect who is visited by Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. However, Rick’s awkward manner and inappropriate behavior throw the occasion into shambles. And Rick stays on and on. His continued presence among Willum and his friends leads to one uproarious incident after another.

TLP’s production of “The Nerd” (to run through June 9) is directed by Jay Berkow, director of last season’s “The Lightning Thief.”  The production features scenic design by TLP alum Spencer Donovan, lighting design by Abi Farnsworth, costume design by Rachel McElwain, props design by Gabe Seplow, and sound design by Michael Donahue. Meg Rosenberg will assume the role of production stage manager.

Cody Jolly, left, and Luke Pengelly rehearse a scene from the Timber Lake Playhouse production of “The Nerd,” which opens May 30.
Cody Jolly, left, and Luke Pengelly rehearse a scene from the Timber Lake Playhouse production of “The Nerd,” which opens May 30.

In the title role of “The Nerd” is Cody Jolly, a longtime member of the Timber Lake family, acting at the Playhouse for over 10 years. Most recently, you saw him in last season’s comedy, “The 39 Steps.” Rounding out the cast is Luke Pengelly, Dana Kreitz, Austin Winter, Matthew Van Gessel, and Brie McClellan. Local actors Ryker Robinson and Noah Query will share the role of the young Thor Waldgrave.

Information and tickets for all Timber Lake events are available online HERE or by calling the Box Office at 815-244-2035. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on performance dates through intermission.

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