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BrightSide Theatre has announced its schedule of annual SUMMER IN THE PARKS free concerts to be performed in nine locations in Naperville, Lisle, Bolingbrook, and Downers Grove. In celebration of BrightSide Theatre’s 13th Season, each hour-long concert, rightfully named “Enchanted Broadway: A Magical Journey of Showtunes and Superstitions,” will feature songs from fantastical Broadway musicals including INTO THE WOODS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, PIPPIN, WICKED, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SHREK THE MUISICAL, XANADU, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, SPAMALOT, and many, many more. Audiences are invited to bring chairs or blankets, pack some snacks, and get ready to soak up the magical musical melodies at their nearest park concert. The August 17 concert at Roger C. Clear Performing Arts Center will be ASL interpreted.
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From a previous Summer in the Parks concert. Pictured L-R: Jon Cunningham, Brady McNeil, Julie Ann Kornak, Michelle Bolliger, Meghan Kessel, Christine Rona. Photo courtesy of BrightSide Theatre.
The concerts will be conceived and directed by BrightSide Theatre Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass. Performers will include BrightSide Theatre favorites Julie Ann Kornak, Michelle Bolliger, Meghan Kessel, Christine Ronna, Jon Cunnigham, Brady McNeil, and Zach Gibson. The singers will be accompanied by a live band composed of the musicians Phill Videckis and Mitch Johnson (Keys), Bill Winters and Chris Crisanti (Drums/ Percussion), Heather Winters and John Havrilla (Reeds), Chris Griffiths (Bass).
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The full schedule of dates and locations is listed below
Sponsors of the SUMMER IN THE PARKS concerts are Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club, Naperville Park District, Republic Bank, Bolingbrook Jubilee, BrightSide Theatre, and Lisle Park District.
LISTING INFORMATION
SUMMER IN THE PARKS
Free hour-long family-friendly concerts in nine Naperville/ Lisle/ Bolingbrook/ Downers Grove parks.
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
Various dates and locations (listed below) from July 10 through August 18, 2024
Wednesday, July 10
Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club
5560 Fairview Ave, Downers Grove
Time: 7-8pm
Sponsored by Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club
Thursday, July 11
95th Street Community Plaza
Wagner Family Pavilion
3109 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
Sponsored by Naperville Park District
Wednesday, July 17
Millennium Carillon Amphitheatre
443 Aurora Ave., Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
Sponsored by Naperville Park District
Wednesday, July 24
Country Lakes Park
1835 N. Aurora Road, Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
Sponsored by Naperville Park District
Friday, August 2
Naperville Band Shell
Central Park
Time: 7-8pm
Sponsored by BrightSide Theatre
Thursday, August 8
Ranchview Park
1727 Ranchview Dr., Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
Sponsored by Naperville Park District
Sunday, August 11
Community Park Bandshell
1825 Short Street, Lisle
Time: 2-3pm
Sponsored by Lisle Park District
Saturday, August 17
Bolingbrook Jubilee*
Roger C. Clear Performing Arts Center
375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook
Time: 12-1pm
*ASL Interpreted
Sponsored by Bolingbrook Jubilee
Sunday, August 18
Arrowhead Park
711 Iroquois Avenue, Naperville
Time: 2-3pm
Sponsored by Naperville Park District
BIOS
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director/Director), a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee, has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight Productions including THE WHO’S TOMMY (six Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
Julie Ann Kornak was most recently seen Florence in CHESS and as Charlotte in BST’S A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Other BST credits include Amalia in SHE LOVES ME, Tanya in MAMMA MIA!, Claudia in BST’s Inaugural concert series production of NINE in Concert, and as Francesca in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Julie has also been singing in the Summer in the Parks Concert Series. Julie can be seen singing in many Naperville and local area churches.
Michelle Bolliger was last seen as “Electra” in GYPSY and her Lou Awarded performance as “Ilona” in SHE LOVES ME. Other Brightside credits include: A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL (Ghost of Christmas Past), THE DESCENDANTS (Fairy Godmother), HAIRSPRAY (Amber), and GUYS AND DOLLS (Ensemble). Michelle also can be seen locally performing with Chicago Kids Company.
Meghan Kessel’s past BST credits include GYPSY, CITY OF ANGELS, SHE LOVES ME, and PROMISES, PROMISES. Other favorites include WINNIE THE POOH (Owl), Metropolis’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Christmas Past), and 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly). When not on stage Meghan teaches at Old Town School of Folk Music and works as a Music Director.
Christine Ronna is performing in her fourth SUMMER IN THE PARKS. She was most recently seen in BrightSide’s CHESS IN CONCERT. Her other BrightSide credits include Oolie/Donna in CITY OF ANGELS IN CONCERT, Rosie in MAMMA MIA, Mrs. Fezziwig in A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE MUSICAL, Marge in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, General Cartwright in GUYS AND DOLLS, and Sister Margaretta in THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Jon Cunningham has performed with BrightSide as Pontius Pilate (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), Fredrik Egerman (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), Georg Nowack (SHE LOVES ME), Stone (CITY OF ANGELS IN CONCERT), Lawrence (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS) or Chuck Baxter (PROMISES, PROMISES IN CONCERT) . With over 20 years of experience, Jon has performed at Drury Lane, Marriott Lincolnshire, Theatre at the Center, Big Noise, and Apple Tree. Favorite roles include Seymour (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS), Jesus (JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR), John (JOHN AND JEN) and Charlie (MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, 2005 Best Actor Jeff Citation Nominee).
Brady Mcneil is back for another summer with BrightSide after performing in last summer’s musical concert tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Brady’s Chicagoland debut was the role of “Stine” in BrightSide’s 2023 concert production of CITY OF ANGELS. Other local credits include TITANIC THE MUSICAL (Harold Bride/Wallace Hartley; Wheaton Drama), SPRING AWAKENING (Music Director; Home Creative Co.), and RAGTIME IN CONCERT (Younger Brother u/s, Ensemble; Highland Park Players). When not onstage or in the pit, Brady is the Coordinator of Music Education and Symphonic Band Conductor at Wheaton College.
Zach Gibson Most recently he performed this last season in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and CHESS IN CONCERT. He has been involved in regional theater for over 10 years. Favorite roles include The D’Ysquith Family (A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER; 2023 Lou Award Winner – Best Performer Lead Role), Barrett (TITANIC THE MUSICAL), & Peter Shaw (SILENT SKY at Wheaton Drama), Quasimodo (HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME), and Officer Lockstock (URINETOWN) [NTP]; Father Flynn (DOUBT) [Greenman].
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.