PRODIGAL SON
BY JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY
directed by jonathan james
The production ran from October 10 through November 2, 2025 at the Athenaeum Center in Chicago. Read it’s press coverage here.
PRODIGAL SON is John Patrick Shanley’s autobiographical coming-of-age story of a 15 year old attending a private New Hampshire prep school in the 1960s. Jim is a restless and brilliant youth from a blue collar family in The Bronx who, after being expelled from yet another high school, receives a scholarship to the prestigious Thomas More Preparatory School. While Jim wrestles with his identity, Carl Schmitt, the headmaster, and Alan Hoffman, head of the English Department, are wrestling with what to do with their troubled new student. Is he a brilliant-though-troubled youth who, with the correct guidance, could do great things? Or, is he a lost cause that could tarnish the reputation of their illustrious school?
JK Entertainment’s cast for PRODIGAL SON featured Julian Rus (Jim Quinn), John Pietrzyk (Alan Hoffman), Steve Delaney (Carl Schmitt), Maggie Kelly (Louise Schmitt) and Liam Pietrzyk (Austin Schmitt). The understudies were Brayden Cervantes, Jerod, Jonathan C Legat, Michael Rodriguez, and Staci Kelley.
PRODIGAL SON was directed by Jonathan James, and assistant directed by Larissa Catalano, with set design by John Pietrzyk and Kathi Campbell, sound design by Michael Incardone, lighting design by Rick Keeley, and stage management by Michael Fosha.
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
MARKETING PHOTOS
IN THE PRESS
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"Under the direction of Jonathan James, numerous gut punches and solid performances are delivered."
- Mark Reinecke, Around The Town Chicago
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"Rus also rises to the occasion for several explosive scenes with older actors."
- Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune
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"Liam Pietrzyk delivers the best performance of the night. His affable, nerdy Austin Schmitt is played to perfection, with not a single false or overacted note."
- C.J. Fernandes, Stage And Cinema
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"Regardless of how well the play itself lands, though, the production is very well done."
- Christine Malcom, Talkin’ Broadway