An Evening With Thomas Lennon

After sustaining a knee injury last month, actor/writer Thomas Lennon is back on his feet and returning to Oak Park for one night only. The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest will present “From Harlem Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard: An Evening With Thomas Lennon” on Sunday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake Street in downtown Oak Park.

Tickets are $20 for Historical Society members, $25 for non-members, and $5 for students.  Proceeds from the benefit support the operation of the new Oak Park River Forest Museum. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre between 7 and 7:30 p.m. on the April 14. Online sales for this event have closed.

Lennon, a 1988 graduate of Oak Park River Forest High School, is perhaps best known as the creator of the cult TV show Reno 911!, where he originated the role of Lieutenant Jim Dangle, and for his recent re-imagination of Felix Unger for the network re-boot of The Odd Couple.  As an actor he has appeared in 38 feature films including 17 Again and I Love You, Man.  With his writing partner he created the iconic A Night at the Museum franchise.   He attended New York University where he was a member of the influential sketch comedy group The State.

Following a presentation of film clips from the actor’s career, Oak Park film and entertainment critic Doug Deuchler will interview Lennon, focusing on his career in TV and movies, and his start on the stage of OPRF High School and local theater. The interview will be followed by an audience Q&A session.

Released just last month, Lennon’s new book Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles is the first novel in a middle-grade high adventure fantasy series that delves into Lennon’s Irish heritage.  The hilarious tale focuses on hero Ronan Boyle, a 14-year-old recruit to the police force that handles the crimes of leprechauns and other wee folk.  The new book, the first in a trilogy, will be available for purchase and to be signed by Lennon in the theatre lobby after the event.