Now that November has arrived, many of us are planning holiday activities.  Wheaton Drama is no exception. The Playhouse 111 stage is home to three  upcoming shows suitable for individuals and families looking for feel-good entertainment. First up is the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music.

Director Jim Liesz notes, "It is a heartwarming story filled with familiar songs that people love to both sing themselves and listen to over and over again. We have a brilliantly talented cast assembled, almost 70 strong, to allow our audiences to relive the splendor of the Austrian Alps." Jim explains that the von Trapps, upon whom the musical was based, is "a family that did not compromise on its principles and beat all-odds to retain its freedom."  

With marvelous music, uplifting story, and a cast, crew, and set that is the quite possibly the largest Wheaton Drama has seen, the show is bound to deliver big entertainment. The Sound of Music has music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Suggested by “The Story of the Trapp Family Singers”.

The show is licensed by R&H Theatricals. Performances are at 8pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 3pm Sundays from November 9 to December 9, 2012. No show Thanksgiving Day. Tickets are $18 for Thursdays; $21 Fridays-Sundays. Visit http://www.wheatondrama.org or call 630-260-1820 to purchase tickets.Jenna Eisenberg's one-woman show, The Good Life Cafe, is bringing lots of good will to the Playhouse on November 10. Jenna will take audiences on an entertaining journey of discovery in her self-scripted tale of realizing dreams and taking action. Jenna explains, "You will meet a Midwestern teacher, a French chef, an outrageous New Yorker and a Jewish grandmother. They each share themselves through story, song and humor. 

This is a show that will make you laugh, make you cry and make you think!" A short video clip of The Good Life Cafe can be seen at Jenna's website, http://www.jennaeisenberg.com. A portion of the ticket sales from The Good Life Cafe will benefit the People's Resource Center (http://peoplesrc.org). Tickets to The Good Life Cafe are just $10 and can be purchased at http://www.wheatondrama.org or by calling 630-260-1820. The show begins at 3pm and is performed only on November 10, 2012. 

Taking the stage on the heels of The Sound of Music is Tony Palermo's radio show version of It's A Wonderful Life. A holiday classic filled with hope, Wheaton Drama's production features George Bailey and company, plus clever music and dance interludes. At the end of each show, the cast will read a special letter from Honorary Sponsor Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu in the Frank Capra movie).It's A Wonderful Life - Radio Show performances are at 8pm December 14, 3pm and 8pm December 15, and 3pm December 16, 2012.

Tickets are value priced at $10 each. Raffle tickets will also be available at the show. Show tickets can be purchased at http://www.wheatondrama.org or by calling 630-260-1820.Wheaton Drama's 2012-2013 season also includes Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (January 25-February 17, 2013), Full Circle (March 15-April 7, 2013 – confirmation of rights pending), and Into the Woods (May 17-June 9, 2013). In addition to regular show performances, an education programme for young people begins in January, 2013.

Please visit the Wheaton Drama website for additional information.At play since 1931, Wheaton Drama is a volunteer-based community theatre organization dedicated to improving the cultural life in the community by providing quality theatre to its patrons, and a creative, rewarding experience to its members. New members are welcome and are encouraged to attend a general membership meeting. Meetings are generally held the third Tuesday of every month, and are at Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale Street in downtown Wheaton, Illinois 60187. http://www.wheatondrama.org. Follow on Twitter at WDIpublicity.