2023 Lake County Fall Theatre Schedules Are Released
By: Jonathan Jones 10/02/2023
Lake County is renowned for its live theatre community. These thespians are performing in fan-favorite productions this month as we return from the holidays into the dog days of winter. Theater junkies have awaited the fall 2023 schedule. Your wait is over, as the Lake County theaters have released their lineups this season.
As always, you will laugh, cry, sing along and maybe dance to the tunes performed by the talented actors and actresses all year. This season, the Lake County arts venues feature myriad exciting shows, thrilling dances, great storytelling and some of the most enchanting music ever written for the center stage.
Remember, "it's bad luck to say good luck on opening night." So, visit the land of lakes and see what the 2023 schedule offers. The performances highlighted are productions between now and November 19.
Libertyville’s Improv Playhouse hosts adult-rated laughs and family-friendly fun! For over two decades, the downtown staple has provided the land of lakes with stand-up comedy, musical theatre, improvisation and acting classes for thespians young and old. The MainStreet Libertyville presentation is staging two shows on Saturdays: one for families at 7:30 p.m. and the adult show at 9:30 p.m. These shows are BYOB. If you love a good joke, you will be amused by the entertainment offered at this Improv Comedy show. Tickets for the show can be purchased online ImprovPlayhouse.com or for cash only at the door. For those ages 21 and older bringing alcoholic beverages, a $5 corking fee will be implemented for each individual drinking.
Based on the story of Rose Evangeline Hovick, a real-life burlesque artist from the 1920s. "Gypsy" follows an ambitious stage mother who will stop at nothing to make her daughters stars. From town to town, the mother takes them through the unsuspecting world of vaudeville. This comedic and heartwarming adaptation explores the relationship between mothers and daughters. Rose's love for her daughters is fierce but is also suffocating. She pushes them to the brink of their limits; and never seems satisfied with their success. The musical features songs like "Everything's Coming up Roses," "Let Me Entertain You," "Some People" and "Together Wherever We Go." The Lincolnshire show runs on select days from August 13-October 15.
The Lake Forest theatre answers the age-old question of "whodunnit?" The play follows Monkswell Manor owners Mollie and Giles Ralston as they entertain five guests from a raging blizzard. Trotter, the constable, warns the guests of a murderer in London targeting individuals connected to a recent crime where someone's life was taken. As the guests tremble in fear, they begin to suspect one another. However, no one admits to being connected to the murder. The killer is among them. The classic mystery entertaining audiences for over seven decades is based on an Agatha Christie novel. The Citadel Theatre show runs on select days through October 15.
iLuminate is a high-tech dance troupe that became a household name in 2011 after their dazzling performances on "America's Got Talent," where they reached the finals. Teh glow-in-the-dark experience multimedia show combines music, dance, illusion, technology, and comedy to create an immersive experience for audiences. Each scene is set in a different "room" inside "Club iLuminate," where the audience is treated to a unique and captivating performance.
Meet Vita Flores: a 12-year-old who thinks planning parties for the deceased is strange. As she has an identity crisis with her Mexican heritage, she finds solace when a whimsical candy skeleton comes to life. Escape on a journey with Vita as she celebrates fam and tradition through snappy tunes, learns of wonderful lore and busts a move or two.
"It's a tale as old as time." Based on the 1991 Disney film "Beauty and the Beast," the story follows small-town girl Belle as she tries to save her father and inventor, Maurice when a Beast who owns the castle over yonder captures him. Belle takes her father's place in captivity as The Beast looks for a way to break a curse on the castle and its dwellers. A rose with minimal petals remaining displays the amount of time left for The Beast and his enchanted servants could stay in the vessels they're in for eternity. The one-hour show teaches youngsters about love, transformation and the importance of seeing beyond appearances.
Sit for a spell and spend an up close and personal evening with Marriott Theatre favorite Nathaniel Stampley. The Jeff Award-winning performer provides context and clarity about his career from his humble beginnings in Milwaukee to Broadway, London and more. Stampley showcases original selections, pop and theatre standards, and tunes from his past performances from the Marriott Theatre. Stampley was in Marriott Theatre's "Ragtime" as Coalhouse Walker in 2018, "The Bridges of Madison County" in 2017 and his award-winning performances of "Man of La Mancha" in 2016.
From the minds of the notable Chicano band Las Cafeteras, the California-based band showcases a production celebrating Day of the Dead. The two-act show follows the stages of grief and loss through celebration fo life and death. The show features a score of traditional and original pieces, stunning choreography, beautiful visuals and more.
The titular vampire “vants to suck your blood” at Libertyville’s Improv Playhouse. The professional troupe brings to life their interpretation of the 1938 Orson Welles Mercury Radio Theatre production of “Dracula: A Live Radio Play.” Audiences will conjure frightening images of terror as the thespians spin the Bram Stoker classic. Through various sound effects and visual ensembles, guests experience the adventure that radio listeners of the old days could only wish to witness. Improv Playhouse encourages guests to dress in their Halloween best. Guests ages 21 and older may bring their own beverages but must pay a $5 corking fee. Visit ImprovPlayhouse.com or call 847-968-4529 to buy tickets.
"Your love jumping in muddy puddles. Your kids love jumping in muddy puddles. Everybody loves jumping in muddy puddles." Visit Genesee Theatre for Peppa-Peppa's party as the interactive show invites you and the fam. The 45-minute show includes the show's main characters - Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig. Dance and sing along with your piglets as the British oink family sings hits like "The Peppa Pig Theme Song," "Bing Bong Zoo," "Super Potato Theme Song" and more. Stay after the presentation and snap a photo op with a Peppa and fam meet and greet as well as an autograph signing.
This Tony Award-winning play is a living, breathing jukebox. The story follows the dynamic and genius singer/songwriter, 11-time Grammy Award-winning Carole King through her life. The show starts with her as a 16-year-old songwriter living in Brooklyn and teaming up with notable writer Gerry Goffin at Queens College. Soon, they become romantically involved, but also bust out countless hits for artists such as The Shirelles, The Drifters, Aretha Franklin, The Righteous Brothers and more. After a broken marriage with Goffin, the production follows King's rise to fame as a solo artist leading up to her renowned album "Tapestry."
Visit the Waukegan theatre with your youngsters as it’s millions of water-based spheres at “The Underwater Bubble Show.” This family-friendly show is a delightful, modern fairytale with incredible acrobats, jugglers, mimes, contortionists and bubbles. Transport to the colorful and happy place called Bubblandia, where the kiddies can daydream and marvel at the stunning imagery and acrobatic performance. Cirque du Soleil inspires this touring production featuring sea creatures in an underwater world.
The JLC pulls the curtains up on the long-running Off-Broadway play by actor and comedian Steve Martin, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” The Grayslake theatre, two-man show production, is set in a Parisian Café in 1904, when the two then-unknown renowned scientist, Albert Einstein and celebrated painter Pablo Picasso, engage in pleasantries. The two geniuses exchange intellectual prose about early-century achievements and speculate about the future. A surprise time-traveling visitor later joins them at the Lapin Agile with his country-boy talents and blue suede shoes. The show runs on select weekends from November 10-18.
"Do do do down dooby doo down down Comma, comma, down dooby doo down down Breaking up is hard to do." Dias reprises his role as the golden-voiced Neil Sedaka (Neil Sedaka in "Beautiful" The Carole King Musical" on Broadway and Tour). Sing along with the entertainer as he plays all the feel-good hits like "Calendar Girl," "Love Will Keep Us Together," Breaking Up is Hard To Do" and more.
Hi-ho, hi-oh. It's off to Waukegan we go. The Genesee Theatre showcases the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". The production based on the Disney classic 1937 film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" follows the trials and tribulations of the beautiful princess who is forced to flee into the forest by her jealous stepmother, the evil queen. White finds refuge in a cottage belonging to seven dwarfs who befriend her. The evil queen disguises herself as an older woman and gives Snow White a poisoned apple, putting her into a deep sleep. Will the prince be able to plant that supernatural kiss to break the spell?
This comedy-musical gem based on Joe Masteroff's book is set in the 1930s in a Hungarian parfumerie and the store clerks. Amalia and Georg don’t see eye-to-eye at work but get jazzed up as they unknowingly write love letters to each other after responding to a lonely hearts advertisement. The original stage play won a Tony Award in 1964 for Jack Cassidy’s portrayal of Steven Kodaly. Just picture the drama that may occur on a reality show between employees with text messages (instead of love letters) and Tinder at a modern-day Sephora.
The Snow Queen is a winter/holiday staple as the Marriott Theatre features this production. The story, originally written by Hans Christian Andersen, follows the Snow Queen as she kidnaps a young boy named Kai and takes him to her palace. Kai's best friend, Gerda, sets out on a journey to rescue him. Along the way, Gerda meets many interesting characters, including a talking crow, a reindeer and a group of robbers. Will Gerda rescue her buddy Kai before the Snow Queen freezes his heart? This version of Snow Queen is inspired by the Disney film "Frozen."
"Good grief! You’re a blockhead, Charlie Brown." Based on the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, Charlie Brown and the gang explore the true meaning of Christmas as they navigate through adolescence in this comedic musical. Visit Genesee Theatre for the jazzy tunes of Vince Guaraldi's score, a post sho, sing-along concert and enjoy a little Peanut nostalgia.
****"Jason and the Argonauts" at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on October 11 is sold out. ****
For more information about shows, concerts and the Lake County fall theatre schedule, continue here.
