Oakbrook Terrace theater continues habit of treating nuns
Steve Schering Contributor January 6, 2012 10:18AM
Sister Donna Marie Wolowicki (center) of Chicago chats with Sister Marilyn Renniger of Frankfort, before a special dinner at Drury Lane in Oak Brook. | Rob Hart~Sun-TImes Media
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Updated: February 13, 2012 8:20AM
A five-decade tradition of giving thanks to area nuns still gathers an impressive crowd at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace.
The event, affectionately known as, ‘Nuns Night,’ by the theater’s staff, began 57 years ago when Drury Lane founder Tony DeSantis began inviting area nuns to visit his theater for an evening of dining and a performance.
“Tony had two daughters and both went to a Catholic high school,” said Drury Lane artistic director Bill Osetek. “Nuns had been largely responsible for the education of his daughters.
“In his opinion, priests had a lot more opportunity to do things and this was a way to pay the nuns back with a night out.”
Even after Tony’s death in 2007 at the age of 93, the complimentary dinner and performance offered to the nuns every year continues through his grandson Kyle, who has taken over the family business and his grandfather’s tradition of giving back.
Drury Lane staff prepared 564 meals in the Grand Ballroom on Jan. 5 and nearly 1,000 enjoyed a performance of “The Sound of Music” afterward.
The dinner gave nuns from different areas and convents the chance to socialize before enjoying the performance.
“It is one of my favorites,” said Sister Maryann McKeogh of seeing “The Sound of Music.” “The event is excellent.
“It’s an avenue you wish you could have more often; meeting with people who have been serving the church so long.”
McKeogh, originally from Philadelphia, attended with Sister John Paul and Sister Maria Sophia, who was attending her second nun’s event at Drury Lane.
“I’m amazed they’ve been doing this for 50 years,” Sophia said. “It’s great to walk into a room and have instant conversations. All the sisters are so welcoming.”
Gabriela Duszynska, from the Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth in Des Plaines, enjoyed her second trip to the theater and came away impressed by the performance put on by the actors and Drury Lane staff.
“I really enjoyed the show,” she said. “All the singing, the sets and the actors (were) wonderful. I’m really appreciative of the people who prepare this.”
Years after his death the importance of Tony DeSantis’ vision is not lost on the staff of the Drury Lane.
“It’s one of the best audiences we have,” Osetek said. “We really anticipate this one. There’s nothing like performing in front of an appreciative and gracious audience. We couldn’t ask for a better one.”
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