Free Readers Ensemble
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Performing FREE to the public at the
Nineteenth Century Club
178 Forest Ave, Oak Park, IL
"The Free Readers Ensemble"
is an actor-based ensemble
whose mission is to present
diverse theatrical and literary material
in a readers theatre format
to Oak Park/River Forest
and the surrounding communities. While stripping away production values
such as sets, props and
elaborate costuming, we strive
to celebrate the magic of the writers’ words;
from playwrights and poets to authors
and
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!
04/26/2026
Join us today for S*X by Mae West - Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 pm
Coordinated by Larry Dahlke and Stephanie Samuel
Mae West’s controversial play was popular with the public but raided by the police! Free Readers presents it exactly 100 years to the day of its Broadway premiere!
04/15/2026
Up Next! S*X by Mae West - Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 pm
Coordinated by Larry Dahlke and Stephanie Samuel
Mae West’s controversial play was popular with the public but raided by the police! Free Readers presents it exactly 100 years to the day of its Broadway premiere!
04/02/2026
Hello to all our wonderful friends,
I want to let you all know that our very dear friend and ensemble member, Mercita DeMuynck, took her final bow on March 26. A light has gone out and our world will never be the same without her in it. Here's the link to her obituary. Mercita, we will always love you. You are forever in our hearts.
Obituary for Mercita DeMuynck at Peterson-Bassi Chapels Mercita DeMuynck stage spelling DeMonk, ne Vesely was born in Blue Island, Illinois on Oct. 1, 1932 to the dearly beloved Joseph and Marguerite Vesely ne OConnor. She was the youngest of four kids and the only girl. She, with her late brothers Joe Doris, Bill Bobbie, and Bob Pat
Thank you to all the lovely folks who braved the severe thunderstorms and flooding to join us for "Wait Until Dark" yesterday. Hope you all got home safely to dry basements. ❤️
02/27/2026
Up next on Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 pm
"Wait Until Dark" by Frederick Knott
Coordinated by Thad Anzur
Featuring (in alphabetical order): Paulette Cary, Larry Dahlke, Keith Eric Davis, Barbara Eulenberg, Bruce Holtman Randall Hoole, David Krajecki and Stephanie Samuel
Approximate running time: 2.5 hrs including a 15 minute intermission
"Wait Until Dark" is about a deadly game of cat and mouse. Come see the play that was the basis for the thrilling 1967 movie starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin.
It's the day of the show y'all!!!! Come join us today for
"The Roommate" by Jen Silverman
Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 pm
Coordinated by Larry Baldacci
Featuring Paulette Cary and Barbara Eulenberg
"What happens when two women “of a certain age” become roommates? A funny, deeply moving, life-changing friendship."
Approximate running time: 2 hrs including a 15 minute intermission
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The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association 178 Forest Avenue
Oak Park, IL
60301