The Loves of John Wilkes Booth

“The Lady, the Locket and the Loves of John Wilkes Booth,” an original play by Dr. Maria Boundas Bakalis of Curtain Up Classroom, weaves a mysterious tale surrounding a woman’s locket — a locket once presented to a lover from the infamous John Wilkes Booth, a name that evokes images of the mad man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. But Booth was also a well-known and successful actor, son of one of the greatest actors of the era, Junious Brutus Booth, and brother to Edwin Booth.The Booths of Maryland were revered by theatre audiences throughout the country. John was described as strikingly handsome, a man who captured the hearts of many women. Dr. Bakalis invites the audience to meet this complicated and complex character. John Wilkes Booth was a man of many passions; one of which was his pursuit of women. One of these women is the “Lady of the Locket,” the woman who conquered Booth’s heart. Who of the many wore the locket around her neck? You, the audience, will decide.

About our actor: Dr. Bakalis (www.mariabakalis.com // www.curtainupclassroom.org) is a Glen Ellyn resident and the founder of the Curtain Up Classroom school of acting. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Theatre from DePaul University, a Masters in Communication from Northeastern Illinois University, and a Doctorate of Education from Northern Illinois University. Her continued professional training includes certificates in acting from London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Athens Centre in Greece. With a strong commitment to the critical importance of the arts in learning, Dr. Bakalis incorporates acting and theatre techniques in her business and continuing-education seminars and workshops.