Spotlight on Arts

The Secret of My Success, a new musical Experience a new musical take on the Universal Pictures film with The Secret of My Success, the Musical playing Feb. 1–Mar. 29 at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora. Follow the hilarious, heartfelt story of Brantley Foster, a young ambitious Midwesterner, as he moves to New York City for his dream job at a major corporation, only to be laid off the same day. Contact the Paramount Theatre for show times at paramountaurora.com or call 630-896-6666.

20th Century Blues

See a new unique story brought to the stage with Steele Beam Theatre’s production of 20th Century Blues, playing through Mar. 15, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Four women meet once a year for a ritual photo shoot, chronicling their changing—and aging—selves. To purchase tickets, visit steelbeamtheatre.org or call 630-587-8521.

Goitse (from Ireland)

This special musical presentation will be at Fermilab’s Ramsey Auditorium March 7 at 8pm. This popular

and multi-award-winning quintet performs their own compositions interspersed with traditional tunes from the countryside of Ireland and abroad, making each performance unique. For tickets and to get more information, visit events.fnal.gov or call 630-840-3351.

St. Charles Singers premiere “Cello Songs”

Come out to hear the world premiere of American composer Jake Runestad’s “Cello Songs: Suite for Cello, Choir, and Piano” presented by the St. Charles Singers on April 19 at Baker Memorial Church in St. Charles. As part of their program titled “Kaleidoscope,” the mixedvoice professional chamber choir will present this fourmovement work based on the Dorianne Laux poem “Cello.” The performance features guest cellist Sophie Webber, an award winning performer and composer, and Michael Scott Giuliani, a collaborative pianist of the Chicago area. For tickets and more information, visit stcharlessingers.com or call 630-513-5272.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare’s classic tale of comedy, fantasy and romance comes to life at the Albright Theatre from

April. 17–May 2. Witness the story of four young lovers, whose plight spills deep into the forest, catching the attention of the fairies who reside there. Purchase tickets and find more information at albrighttheatre.com.

Classics with Carole’s Kings

Listen and experience a brand-new sound with a performance by Carole’s Kings, the first all-male Carole King tribute, March 13, 7:30pm at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre. With lush orchestrations, witty banter, and a cast of three talented New York stage veterans, this group gives a dynamic performance featuring classics including “The Locomotion,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” For tickets and more information visit bataviafineartscentre.org.

2020 St. Charles Arts Council Student Art Show Explore the work of talented young artists at the 2020 Student Arts Show hosted by the St. Charles Arts Council at 116 Gallery in Mixology Salon Spa in St. Charles beginning on April 18, running through May 3. The show features student artwork from the surrounding St. Charles area. This is a wonderful opportunity to support young artists and the SCAC in their mission to serve and promote the arts and creativity in the community. For more information, contact info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org or call 630-443-3794.

ESO presents Debussy and Brahms

Join the Elgin Symphony Orchestra as they present works of Debussy and Brahms on April 4 at 7:30pm and April 5 at 2:30pm at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. They will present Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Brahms Symphony No. 3, considered to be one of his greatest works, as well as Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht. The performance of these works and the romance they encompass make this a date night of a new level. Visit elginsymphony.org or call 847-888-4000.

New exhibits open at Water Street Studios Explore Water Street Studios new exhibitions “Leading Women” and “Tallgrass Exchange” beginning March 14 with a special reception on March 13 at 6pm, 160 S. Water St. In the Dempsey Family gallery “Leading Women” features work from women who have been personal mentors to those within the gallery and the community. The Chicago Capital Gallery displays “Tallgrass Exchange,” a variety of ceramic and photographic works by local artist Georgia Schwender focusing on the tallgrass prairie. Both exhibits are on display through April 4. For more information, visit waterstreetstudios.org.