There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at what’s coming up this season in our many arts venues.
May
“Jesus Christ Superstar”
Through May 28, Wed. 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Thurs. 7 p.m.; Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 3 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m. & 5:30 p.m. What began as a rock opera concept album transformed into a global stage phenomenon that garnered seven Tony Award nominations and endless awards overseas. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Elgin Symphony Orchestra Listeners Club
May 3, 1 p.m. Learn from ESO’s Jim Kendros about the music to be performed by the orchestra this weekend. Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Richie Kotzen of the Winery Dogs
May 4, 7:30 p.m. With guitar styles ranging from rock, blues, jazz and fusion to pop and soul, Richie Kotzen has built a 20-year career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.
A Streetcar Named Desire
May 4-7, Thurs. 7 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m. & 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The Tennessee Williams classic about animal passion, lost gentility and relying on the kindness of strangers. Presented by Starlight Productions. Paramount Theatre, Aurora (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Queensryche
May 5, 8 p.m. This 1980s Grammy-nominated band hit No. 1 in 1991 with “Silent Lucidity” and has sold 30 million records. Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.
Christopher Titus
May 5, 8 p.m. This stand-up comedian will leave you clutching your side with laughter as he tackles his toughest subject to date: kids. Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
First Fridays at Dole Mansion
May 5, 5 p.m. Meet and mingle with artists whose original work is on display in two galleries; enjoy live music. This month’s featured exhibit: Crystal Lake District 47 Student Art Show. Lakeside Legacy Arts Park at the Dole, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 455-8000, lakesideartspark.org.
ESO Season Finale: Pictures at an Exhibition
May 6-7, Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Elgin Symphony Orchestra closes its season with Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s towering “Pictures at an Exhibition,” based on drawings and watercolors by Viktor Hartmann. Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, (847) 888-4000, elginsymphony.org.
Red Rose Ragtime Band
May 6, 8 p.m. A potpourri of musical Americana, with ragtime, blues, jazz and pop selections from the 1920s and 1930s. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
The Hit Men
May 7, 5 p.m. These five musicians and singers have appeared on more than 85 albums and won multiple gold and platinum recording awards, Emmy nominations and Telly Awards. Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.
DSO: Mozart Masterworks
May 7, 3 p.m. A DuPage Symphony Orchestra chamber concert featuring Mozart’s “Symphony No. 27 in G Major,” the masterful “Quintet in E-flat Major” for piano and winds and “Adagio and Fugue in C minor, K. 546” for string orchestra. Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton, (630) 778-1003, dupagesymphony.org.
Fox Valley Concert Band – Spring Concert
May 7, 3 p.m. This is Fox Valley Concert Band’s final performance of its Norris Season. Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.
Artie Kornfeld of Woodstock
May 10, 7:30 p.m. A unique presentation about one of the most famous and important events in music history: The Woodstock Music Festival in 1969. Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.
DSO: Springtime Celebration
May 13, 8 p.m. The DuPage Symphony Orchestra season finale concert, featuring Copland’s “Application Spring,” Delius’ “Florida Suite,” Shostakovich’s “Festive Overture” and Young Artists Auditions Soloist Jason Lee performing Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3.” Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, (630) 778-1003, dupagesymphony.org.
The Other Mozart
May 13, 8 p.m. Created by actress Sylvia Milo, this is the forgotten story of Mozart’s genius sister, Nannerl Mozart. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
3 Blonde Moms
May 13, 8 p.m. Jam-packed with hilarious material, this high-energy comedy reveals three wildly contrasting points of view on being a mom, having a mom, kids, schools, husbands, in-laws and more. Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
Jeffrey LaDeur
May 14, 3 p.m. This soloist, chamber musician and educator has held concerts around the world and performed with the likes of the Oakland Symphony, San Jose Chamber Orchestra and the Denver Philharmonic. He is also a founding member of the acclaimed Delphi Trio. Norris Cultural Arts Center, St. Charles, (630) 584-7200, norrisculturalarts.com.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
May 19-June 11, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Middle-aged siblings eager to break out of their routine face reality when their sister threatens to sell the family’s house. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 S. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.
American English
May 19, 7:30 p.m. Considered by many to be the best Beatles tribute band today, with vintage costumes, authentic instruments and fun special effects. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Denny Diamond & Peter Oprisko
May 20, 7:30 p.m. The uncanny similarity of this singer’s voice to the unique baritone of Neil Diamond has made him a popular performer throughout the Midwest for nearly a decade. Peter Oprisko captures the spirit of Dean Martin and brings the King of Cool back to life. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Hair, the Musical
May 24-July 1, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 3 p.m. Broadway’s first rock opera, with songs like “Age of Aquarius,” centers around a group of young hippies and their friend who’s called into the draft. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.
4th Fridays at The Starline Factory
May 26, 6 p.m. This monthly art exhibit is an open-themed, juried fine art show that covers all mediums. The Starline Factory, 306 W. Front St., Harvard, (815) 943-4805, starlinefactory.com.
June
Laughter on the 23rd Floor
June 1-3, June 9-10, 7:30 p.m., June 4 & 11, 2 p.m. It’s 1953 and the writers of NBC’s “The Max Prince Show” are hard at work creating comedy gold, but network pressure, the Red Scare and a temperamental star set the stage for one-upmanship, mayhem and neuroses. Based on Neil Simon’s early television career working with Sid Caesar. Stage Coach Players, 126 S. 5th St., DeKalb, (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.
A Lasting Mark Opening Reception
June 1, 5 p.m. opening reception; June 1-Sept. 30 display. Founding Fermilab Director Robert Wilson handpicked Angela Gonzales in 1967 to collaborate and create a visual identity for Fermilab. This art gallery exhibit incorporates visual objects that have reflected the challenges and innovations at the laboratory. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown
June 2, 8 p.m. Formed by guitarist Kim Simmonds in 1965, Savoy Brown is a U.K. version of a Chicago blues band. Their first album, “Shakedown,” in 1967 was one of the major U.K. releases that helped spark the British Blues boom. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Donovan
June 9, 8 p.m. With hits like “Catch The Wind,” “Sunshine Superman,” and “Atlantis,” Donovan has remained a towering icon of rock’s golden stage. Paramount Theatre, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Piano Men
June 10, 3 & 8 p.m. Musicians Craig A. Meyer and Donnie Kehr channel the flair, charisma and outright talent of Sir Elton John and Billy Joel, and there’s nothing like it. Paramount Theatre, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Barbara & Frank
June 11, 3 p.m. This is your chance to experience what it would have been like to see Ol’ Blue Eyes and Babs share the stage. The two performers paying tribute to these legends look and sound like Frank and Barbara. Paramount Theatre, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com.
Artful Women: Susanna Rich
June 11, 3 p.m. Susanna Rich gives voice to Shakespeare’s female characters and restores their power through poetry and song in “Shakespeare’s *itches: The Women Talk Back.” Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
Neil Simon’s “Rumors”
June 16-25, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The crafty playwright’s farcical take on a dinner party gone topsy-turvy. TownSquare Players, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, townsquareplayers.org.
Outdoor Concert with Joe Policastro Trio
June 20, 6:30 p.m. This trip took shape in 2010 with bassist Joe Policastro, guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. The band’s open-minded, inclusive nature brings rock, old-school funk, soul Brazilian and free improvisation to the surface. Gail Borden Public Library, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Bandstand Boogie – With the Diamonds
June 23, 7:30 p.m. In 1957, The Diamonds released their platinum-selling “Little Darlin’.” The song continues to sell worldwide and has been titled the “National Anthem of Rock and Roll.” Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1401 W. Wilson St., Batavia, bataviafineartscentre.org.
4th Fridays at The Starline Factory
June 23, 6 p.m. This monthly art exhibit is an open-themed, juried fine art show that covers all mediums. The Starline Factory, 306 W. Front St., Harvard, (815) 943-4805, starlinefactory.com.
Dark Star Orchestra
June 24, 7 p.m. Formed in Chicago, Dark Star Orchestra has been performing the Grateful Dead’s most loved songs and little-known gems for more than 20 years. RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, riveredgeaurora.com.
MBTL: Lake Geneva Symphony feat. Dance Factory
June 25, 4 p.m. Experience the songs of popular 20th-century American composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Duke Ellington as well as patriotic tunes in this orchestral performance. Music by the Lake, Ferro Pavilion, George Williams College of Aurora University (GWC), 350 Constance Blvd., Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
WSR: Guys & Dolls
June 30-July 23, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. The classic Damon Runyon Broadway fable about the oldest established permanent floating craps game in New York, with hits “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat. Presented by Williams Street Repertory. Raue Center For The Arts, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org.
July
Little Women, The Broadway Musical
July 6-16, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Musical adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about the March sisters growing up in Civil War-era America. Stage Coach Players, DeKalb, (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.
Jess Godwin Sings Elton John
July 6, 7:30 p.m. Singer-songwriter Jess Godwin pours her heart and dynamic voice into Elton John’s greatest hits. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.
Dennis DeYoung
July 7, 8 p.m. The founder of Styx plays the group’s Top 10 hits, including “Lady,” “Grand Illusion,” “Come Sail Away.” Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, arcadalive.com.
Kevin Kling
July 8, 2 p.m. Known for his commentaries on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and his storytelling stage shows like “Tales from the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log,” Kevin Kling delivers hilarious, often tender stories. Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
MBTL: America
July 8, 7:30 p.m. Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley perform original hits like “A Horse With No Name” and “Ventura Highway.” Ferro Pavilion, GWC, Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
New Odyssey
July 16, 3 p.m. Three men play 30 instruments as they cover classic rock, country, blues, folk and more, with audience participation and sheer zaniness. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.
MBTL: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
July 16, 4 p.m. This group has been promoting traditional New Orleans jazz and entertaining audiences worldwide since 1961. Their latest studio album “So It Is,” influenced by the group’s 2015 trip to Cuba, was released in April. Ferro Pavilion, GWC, Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
MBTL: The Tenors
July 22, 7:30 p.m. With their blend of classical music and contemporary pop, The Tenors have thrilled audiences around the world, with songs like “My Father’s Son” and “Lead With Your Heart.” Ferro Pavilion, GWC, Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
Peter and the Starcatcher
July 20-Aug. 20, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 3 p.m. The Tony Award-winning origin story of Peter Pan, an orphan boy who seeks a family of his own while taking an imaginative journey into Neverland. Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121, metropolisarts.com.
Steve Miller Band With Peter Frampton
July 20, 7:30 p.m. Rock-n-roll legends the Steve Miller Band jumps into their catalog of hits including “Quicksilver Girl” and “Sweet Maree.” Kicking off the night is the legend Peter Frampton, who turned rock music upside down in 1976 with the release of “Frampton Comes Alive.” RiverEdge Park, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, riveredgeaurora.com.
Kesha And The Creepies
July 21, 8 p.m. Kesha has taken the world by storm since the release of her debut album, “Animal,” in 2010. Kesha has also had eight consecutive Top 10 hits, including four No. 1 singles: “TiK ToK,” “Your Love Is My Drug,” “We R Who We R” and “Timber.” RiverEdge Park, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, riveredgeaurora.com.
4th Fridays at The Starline Factory
July 28, 6 p.m. This monthly art exhibit is an open-themed, juried fine art show that covers all mediums. The Starline Factory, 306 W. Front St., Harvard, (815) 943-4805, starlinefactory.com.
MBTL: The Berenstain Bears in Family Matters: The Musical
July 30, 4 p.m. This fun-filled musical weaves together three of their most popular books. Ferro Pavilion, GWC, Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.