W E D N E S D A Y
April 24, 2024 Vol. 44, No. 43
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JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest Grant Reynolds and Alisa Melendez, who plays Sophie Sheridan in “Mamma Mia!”
Oak Park alum brings ‘Mamma Mia!’ home Show will run from April 30 through May 17 PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS
By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
Mamma Mia, here he goes again. Oak Parker and OPRF alum Grant Reynolds, 25, will be rocking the stage in his Broadway in Chicago debut at the Nederlander Theatre in the loop as Sky Rymand in the hit Broadway musical “Mamma Mia!”
Getting his start in BRAVO, an “extracurricular, awardwinning, nationally recognized” performing arts program at Brooks Middle School, Reynolds said the D97 program helped propel him forward in his acting. “We are so blessed to have such a strong community theater foundation here,” Reynolds said, adding he began participating in BRAVO “religiously.” See MAMMA MIA on page 15
River Forest’s Roz Varon retires Page 5
Madison Street affordable housing development in the works The ideal timeline to open is 2026 By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Housing Forward is partnering with Interfaith Housing Development Corporation to open an affordable housing development on Madison Street called “Keystone Apartments.” The goal is to open in 2026. The apartments will be located at 1106 Madison St., which is now the location of Fellowship Christian Church. IHDC President Perry Vietti said the development is planned to have five stories and 36 units, 12 of which would be studios. The rest are expected to be onebedroom apartments. Housing Forward is a social services organization that provides programs including homelessness prevention, medical respite, interim housing, emergency overnight shelter and wraparound services. See AFFORDABLE HOUSING on page 13