Free Readers Ensemble

10/09/2026

Join us this Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 pm!!!!

"Over the River and through the Woods"
By Joe DiPietro

Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

Featuring FRE Ensemble Members: Thad Anzur, Larry Baldacci, Paulette Cary, Ray Cuhna, Barbara Eulenberg, and Kit O'Kelly

Nick, a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey, is very close to his family... as in, has dinner with his grandparents every Sunday. When he tells them he’s been offered his dream job in Seattle, they devise an evening of hilarious schemes to keep him from moving.

The 19th Century Charitable Assoc.
1st floor
178 Forest Avenue
Oak Park, Illinois

10/07/2026

December 20, 2026 - “The Ask” and Other One-Acts by David Lee White (comedy)
Six sharply funny one acts by David Lee White explore the strange, tender, and often darkly comic ways love reveals —
and disguises — itself. From miscommunications that spiral spectacularly to heartfelt connections found in the least expected corners, these plays offer a witty, off kilter look at how we try (and fail and try again) to understand one another.
Coordinated by Larry Dahlke

10/05/2026

Please join us as we honor the memory of our dear Mercita DeMuynck who coordinated this play for the Free Readers in 2007💗

"Over the River and Through the Woods" by Joe DiPietro (comedy)
Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 pm
Nineteenth Century Charitable Association
178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL
No reservations needed !!

Featuring Thad Anzur, Larry Baldacci, Paulette Cary, Ray Cunha, Barbara Eulenberg and Kit O'Kelly

"Nick, a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey, is very close to his family... as in, has dinner with his grandparents every Sunday. When he tells them he’s been offered his dream job in Seattle, they devise an evening of hilarious schemes to keep him from moving."

Approximate running time: 2 hrs including a 15 minute intermission

09/27/2026

We're Back!!! Join us for the first show of our 33rd season!
"Over the River and Through the Woods" by Joe DiPietro (comedy)
Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 pm
Nineteenth Century Charitable Association
178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL
No reservations needed !!

Featuring Thad Anzur, Larry Baldacci, Paulette Cary, Ray Cunha, Barbara Eulenberg and Kit O'Kelly

"Nick, a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey, is very close to his family... as in, has dinner with his grandparents every Sunday. When he tells them he’s been offered his dream job in Seattle, they devise an evening of hilarious schemes to keep him from moving."

Approximate running time: 2 hrs plus a 15 minute intermission

09/27/2026

09/08/2026

This. Oh, yes. So much this 💗

09/05/2026

Announcing our line up for the 2026-27 Season, our 33rd! Looking forward to seeing you all!!

October 11, 2026 at 3:00 pm
“Over the River and Through the Woods” by Joe DiPietro (comedy)
Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

November 22, 2026 at 3:00 pm
“The Gentleman Caller” by Philip Dawkins (drama)
Coordinated by Larry Baldacci

December 20, 2026 at 3:00 pm
“The Ask” and Other One-Acts by David Lee White (comedy)
Coordinated by Larry Dahlke

January 17, 2027 at 3:00 pm
“Three Days of Rain” by Richard Greenberg” (drama)
Coordinated by Ray Cunha

February 21, 2027 at 3:00 pm
“The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”
Based on 4 short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by Jon Jory (mystery)
Coordinated by David Krajecki

March 21, 2027 at 3:00 pm
“Other Desert Cities” by Jon Robin Baitz (drama)
Coordinated by Paulette Cary

April 18, 2027 - Play to be read will be announced at later date
Coordinated by Kit O’Kelly

May 16, 2027 at 3:00 pm
“Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by George Bernard Shaw (social satire)
Coordinated by Randall Hoole

05/16/2026

Please join us tomorrow Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 pm for our final show of the season in honor of our dear ensemble members and friends who passed away during this season - Jerry Bloom and Mercita DeMuynck 💔❤️

We are presenting the swashbuckler "Swordplay" -
an adaptation for readers theater by Jerome D. Bloom from the works of Lope De Vega.

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association in Oak Park

Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

Featuring FRE Ensemble Members: Thad Anzur, Paulette Cary, Ray Cuhna, Barbara Eulenberg, Randall Hoole, David Krajecki and Kit O'Kelly

"Swordplay" is a classic Spanish drama of love vs honor. The characters are all standards of Commedia dell'arte: the lovers, the comic servant, the amorous maid, the braggart captain, the dishonest servant and the old fool. The plot is tried and true: love, jealousy, deception, dishonor, revenge, and of course, a happy ending!

05/12/2026

Please join us for our final show of the season in honor of our dear ensemble members and friends who passed away during this season - Jerry Bloom and Mercita DeMuynck 💔❤️

We are presenting the swashbuckler "Swordplay" -
an adaptation for readers theater by Jerome D. Bloom from the works of Lope De Vega.

Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 pm at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association in Oak Park

Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

Featuring FRE Ensemble Members: Thad Anzur, Paulette Cary, Ray Cuhna, Barbara Eulenberg, Randall Hoole, David Krajecki and Kit O'Kelly

"Swordplay" is a classic Spanish drama of love vs honor. The characters are all standards of Commedia dell'arte: the lovers, the comic servant, the amorous maid, the braggart captain, the dishonest servant and the old fool. The plot is tried and true: love, jealousy, deception, dishonor, revenge, and of course, a happy ending!

05/02/2026

Up next, the final show of the season -

We are presenting the swashbuckler "Swordplay" -
an adaptation for readers theater by Jerome D. Bloom from the works of Lope De Vega.

Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 pm at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association in Oak Park

Coordinated by Barbara Eulenberg

Featuring FRE Ensemble Members: Thad Anzur, Paulette Cary, Ray Cuhna, Barbara Eulenberg, Randall Hoole, David Krajecki and Kit O'Kelly

"Swordplay" is a classic Spanish drama of love vs honor. The characters are all standards of Commedia dell'arte: the lovers, the comic servant, the amorous maid, the braggart captain, the dishonest servant and the old fool. The plot is tried and true: love, jealousy, deception, dishonor, revenge, and of course, a happy ending!