An NIU alumnus is the playwright of “Bridgehouse,” a romantic comedy mystery which premiered Friday at the Egyptian Theater showing the conflict of an engaged couple marrying for looks and not for love.

Albert Reynolds, who earned his doctorate in education from NIU in 1983, also has worked for an opera, “Torquemada,” which will be shown on Jan. 25 in New York.

Reyonlds, a Rochelle Township High School art teacher, said the play centers on a haunted house constructed on an abandoned bridge.

The engaged couple, both psychologists, was planning to marry soon and, therefore, bought the house despite knowing its problem. The couple was confident that they could handle the ghost.

Meanwhile, the arrival of another girl begins to strain the couple’s relationship. The play shows the problems the lead character faces as he begins to like this new girl who is simple and ordinary.

Giving the reasons for selection of DeKalb as the premiere site, Reynolds said, “I love this place. ‘Bridgehouse’ was born here, in my apartment. It takes place somewhere in the Midwest near a university town.”

Produced by Vince Carney Community Theater of Rochelle, “Bridgehouse” also will be shown Oct. 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 25.

Carol Weidmann, who worked at Western Illinois University’s theater department and headed the Vince Carney Community Theater Board, directed the play.

eynolds received a scholarship from the Rochelle Board of Education to study at the workshop of Broadcast Music, Inc.