Melissa Gilbert from Little House On The Prairie to Star in When Harry Met Rehab
Melissa Gilbert, an Emmy winning, Golden Globe nominated actor, director, producer, and New York Times best-selling author, will join the cast of the upcoming World Premiere of WHEN HARRY MET REHAB, playing the role of "Barb", a rehab therapist and former addict. Gilbert will be acting alongside another iconic TV actor, Dan Butler, best known for his role as "Bulldog" in the hit television comedy Frasier as well as "Art" in Roseanne. Presented by Don Clark, Chicago based Film and Theatre Producer and Co-Owner of the Chicago Magic Lounge, WHEN HARRY MET REHAB is a comedy that takes sobriety seriously, based loosely on the real-life experiences of Chicago sports radio personality, Harry Teinowtiz. WHEN HARRY MET REHAB previews November 24 and opens December 5 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue, for a limited engagement. Co-authored by former ESPN personality and playwright Spike Manton (Leaving Iowa), WHEN HARRY MET REHAB chronicles in a humorous yet poignant way how an alcoholic on the edge of clueless annihilation ended up in the hands of a magician whose greatest trick was making his denial and excuses disappear.
In addition to her iconic performance on the television classic Little House On The Prairie (Golden Globe Nominated), Gilbert has starred in over fifty television movies and feature films including The Miracle Worker (Emmy Nomination), The Diary of Anne Frank and Splendor in the Grass. Her television series credits include Sweet Justice, Stand By Your Man and Secrets and Lies for ABC. Gilbert made her stage debut in 1979 as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker and as a member of the legendary Actor's Studio, her other professional theater credits include Laura in Glass Menagerie, Elma Duckworth in Bus Stop, Melissa Gardner in Love Letters, and Rose White, a role she created, in A Shayna Maidel (Outer Critic's Circle Award and Theater World Award). In 2008, Gilbert also created the role of Ma in the Guthrie Theater's presentation of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical and in 2014 played M'Lynn in a production of Steel Magnolias at the Totem Pole Playhouse. Her recent off-Broadway credits include If Only: A Love Story and My Brilliant Divorce. Melissa Gilbert's company, Halfpint Productions, produced several films including The Miracle Worker (Emmy Award).
The remainder of the Chicago powerhouse cast includes Elizabeth Laidlaw (Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, Steppenwolf), Keith D. Gallagher (Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Northlight), Chike Johnson (Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Broadway production of Wit), and newcomer Richard Gomez (Columbia College, Chicago).
WHEN HARRY MET REHAB is an evening in the theater that will leave a mark that is flat-out funny, moving, and unforgettable. It is a story of redemption, perseverance, and hope. It is estimated that over 22 million Americans are in recovery. This show is for them, their families, and their friends.
WHEN HARRY MET REHAB will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago runs for a limited engagement through January 30. The performance schedule is as follows: Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm, with additional matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm.