RETURN OF THE PLAYBILLS

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By Chris Walker | Photos provided by the Paramount Theatre and Shaw Media

The pandemic may have had many thinking that the fat lady had sung as theaters canceled shows among the chaos and uncertainty of safe venues, for performers and fans alike. But, as they say in show business, “the show must go on.” While not everything has returned to the status quo, some theaters are cautiously optimistic that they will be back in the entertaining business soon. Some already are, while others are gearing up to begin hosting performances and shows this summer. The calendars likely will be a work in progress as the timeline for a true return to what once was in the live entertainment industry remains unknown. For the latest news about performances and reopening dates at the many outstanding theaters in your area, please visit their respective websites as this remains a fluid situation.

NOW NOW PLAYING…PLAYING…

Where’s the stage door if the performance is outside? Don’t worry about that, but don’t forget to BYOC (bring your own chair) to Stage

212’s “Jesus Christ Superstar,” showing July 28-31 and Aug. 1 in La Salle. This 1970s rock opera is loosely based on the Gospels’ telling of the last week of Jesus’ life, according to the Stage 212 website. The creative minds at Stage 212 worked with the city of La Salle to close down a street for its upcoming performance, moving the show outdoors to provide safe social distancing for its guests. “We petitioned the city and they recognized the value we contribute to the local economy,” says Natalie Smigel, business manager for Stage 212. “We’re going to put up a quick set in front of our building and still use the dressing rooms and restrooms.”

Smigel is hopeful that people’s interest will be piqued by an outdoor production, but recognizes that it may not be for everyone. “There are some people who would probably never walk into our theater but may be drawn to the kind of street fair atmosphere we’re creating, but there will be other people who want to be in air conditioning and not dealing with bugs,” she says. “Things are opening up in the state, but I still don’t think people are ready to be squished as an audience, so this is a baby step. We’re getting audiences back outdoors and comfortable and hopefully in the fall we can transition back to our indoor space.” On May 17, Aurora’s Paramount Theatre delivered the exciting news that the Tony Awardwinning Broadway musical “Kinky Boots” would indeed come to its stage this summer, beginning Aug. 18. It’s set to run until Oct. 17 after initially being scheduled for last spring. While the 24th annual Blues on the Fox has been postponed until 2022, the Thomas J. Weisner RiverEdge Park is going forward with shows beginning with One of These Nights, an Eagles tribute band, July 9. Fleetwood Mac, Bee Gees, Bob Seger and Led Zeppelin tribute shows are scheduled in July and August, and Poi Dog Pondering is set to take the stage Aug. 28. At the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb, the Beth Fowler Dance Company is presenting excerpts from “The Wizard of Oz,” “Paquita” and more, performed by high school dancers. These professionally filmed performances will be shown on the biggest movie screen in DeKalb County on July 9-11 and July 30-Aug 1. The Beth Fowler Dance Company also turned its 27th annual production of “The Nutcracker” into “Nutcracker: The Movie” with showings July 11 and Aug. 1. Less than a week later (Aug. 6), Resurrection: A Journey Tribute comes to DeKalb.

Those longing for live music will welcome the return of a varied list of performers to the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, beginning with Leonid & Friends on July 9-10. Other upcoming performances include Peter Noone (July 11), Tracy Lawrence (Aug. 7), Dire Straits Legacy (Aug. 28) and Three Faces of the King — No. 1 Elvis Tribute (Sept. 5). At the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, the Tres Fridas Project will be presented through Sept. 6. The collection includes “Mona Lisa,” Rosie the Riveter, “The Last Supper,” “Whistler’s Mother,” “The Old Guitarist” and more, all reimagined with

the subjects being people with disabilities. The project is being featured alongside the “Frida Kahlo: Timeless” exhibition.

The Morris Theatre Guild is set to present “Yankee Tavern,” from July 30 through Aug. 1. This performance is a “mind-bending work of theatrical power” that promises to keep audiences on pins and needles until the final curtain. Tickets are $15.

The Dixon Historic Theatre hasn’t announced any summer performances but is excited to offer its Children’s Theatre Summer Camp, Aug. 2-6 and Aug. 9-13. Participants are invited to learn the many different aspects of theatre as well as learn musical numbers, which will be performed on the final day of camp, Aug. 13.

L E A R N M O R E A B O U T T H E V E N U E S M E N T I O N E D H E R E :

¢ ARCADA THEATRE 105 E. Main St., St. Charles www.arcadalive.com

¢ THE DIXON HISTORIC THEATRE 114 S. Galena Ave., Dixon www.dixontheatre.com

¢ THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE 135 N. Second St., DeKalb www.egyptiantheatre.org

¢ MCANINCH ARTS CENTER AT THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn www.atthemac.org ¢ MORRIS THEATRE GUILD 516 W. Illinois Ave., Morris www.morristheatreguild.org

¢ PARAMOUNT THEATRE 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora www.paramountaurora.com

¢ RIVEREDGE PARK 360 N. Broadway, Aurora www.paramountaurora. com/riveredge

¢ STAGE 212 700 First St., La Salle www.stage212.org

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