BrightSide Theatre has announced its schedule of annual SUMMER IN THE PARKS free concerts to be performed in 10 locations in Naperville, Lisle, Bolingbrook and Downers Grove. The 2025 series of concerts is entitled FUN IN THE SUN: A BROADWAY MUSICAL REVUE. Each hour-long concert will feature fun, popular, and comedic songs from Broadway musicals, such as MY FAIR LADY, MAMMA MIA, CHICAGO, FUNNY GIRL, SINGING IN THE RAIN, ANYTHING GOES, CRAZY FOR YOU, WICKED, HAMILTON, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, 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.
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, Jon Cunningham, 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), Jared Forth (Bass/Guitar).
Sponsors of the SUMMER IN THE PARKS concerts are DuPage Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Naperville Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, The Navigation Group at Morgan Stanley, Republic Bank, and BrightSide Theatre.
LISTING INFORMATION
SUMMER IN THE PARKS
Free hour-long family-friendly concerts in 10 Naperville/Lisle/Downers Grove/Bolingbrook parks and spaces, featuring fun, popular, and comedic songs from Broadway musicals, such as MY FAIR LADY, MAMMA MIA, CHICAGO, FUNNY GIRL, SINGING IN THE RAIN, ANYTHING GOES, CRAZY FOR YOU, WICKED, HAMILTON, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, 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. Directed by Jeffrey Cass.
Various dates and locations (listed below) from July 9 through September 21, 2025
Wednesday, July 9
Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club
5560 Fairview Ave. Downers Grove
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with Downers Grove Swim & Racquet Club
Thursday, July 10
95th Street Community Plaza, Wagner Family Pavilion
3109 Cedar Glade Dr., Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with Naperville Park District
Wednesday, July 16
Millennium Carillon Amphitheatre
443 Aurora Ave., Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with Naperville Park District
Wednesday, July 23
Westglen Park
1516 Westglen Dr., Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with Naperville Park District
Sunday, July 27
Community Park Bandshell
1825 Short St., Lisle, IL
Time: 2-3pm
In partnership with Lisle Park District
Thursday, August 7
Country Lakes
1835 N Aurora Ave., Naperville, IL
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with Naperville Park District
Friday, August 8
Naperville Community Concert Center
55 Concert Lane, Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
Sunday, August 17
Arrowhead Park
711 Iroquois Ave., Naperville
Time: 2-3pm
In partnership with Naperville Park District
Sunday, September 14
Village of Bolingbrook PathFest
Town Center Front Lawn
375 W. Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook
Time: Immediately after Pathways Parade approximately 4 pm – 5 pm
***ASL Interpreted Show****
In partnership with Bolingbrook Arts Council & Special Events Commissions
Sunday, Sept 21
Naperville Riverwalk
Amphitheater
South-East Corner of W. Jackson Ave. and S. Eagle St., Naperville
Time: 12:30-1:30pm &
2pm-3pm
In partnership with the Naperville’s Fine Arts Fair
BIOS
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director/Director), a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee, has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently PIPPIN, 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 at BST as Emma in JEKYLL & HYDE IN CONCERT. Other BST credits include Florence in CHESS, Charlotte in BST’S A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Amalia in SHE LOVES ME, Tanya in MAMMA MIA!, Claudia in BST’s Inaugural concert series production of NINE in Concert, and Francesca in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Julie has also sung in the Summer in the Parks Concert Series and can be seen singing in many Naperville and local area churches.
Michelle Bolliger’s most recent BST role is “Fastrada” in PIPPIN. Also at BST, she has played “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 the June 2025 production of PIPPIN (as Catherine/Player), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Mary Magdalene), 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.
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).
Zach Gibson Most recently he performed in 2024’s 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.