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'Million Dollar' cast performs to benefit special recreation programs

There is a room inside the Lisle Park District that holds such magic inside, the space itself has earned an award.

Appropriately dubbed "Wonders," this multisensory room was created by the staff at SEASPAR, a special recreation association that serves people with disabilities in the western suburbs with year-round programs.

Throughout the room, specially designed equipment appeals to the auditory, tactile, olfactory, and visual senses.

Children dance around the floor, where a Gesturetek Cube creates an interactive projection on the floor with special effects that are gesture controlled.

A Soundbeam 5 converts their movements into sound and music, letting all visitors express themselves in their own unique way.

Bubble tubes allow visitors to control color changes - and the speed of that change - with the push of a button.

Adults and children who visit Wonders can even experience essential aromatherapy oils, which can be diffused into the room.

For people living with autism, ADHD, dementia or other sensory processing disorders, Wonders' effects can include improved mood, fewer disruptive behaviors, decreased anxiety or fear, improved communication and enhanced interpersonal interactions.

That's why Wonders recently earned the Agency Excellence Award from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Therapeutic Section.

But for staff, the real honor is watching how the room affects South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation participants.

"Teachers from throughout the area often come to use it with their students with special needs and it's been very well-received," said Lisa Rasin, SEASPAR fund development coordinator. "One boy even said his first word while in the room."

It's to create projects like Wonders, as well as the dozens of other SEASPAR programs that serve people with special needs, that the organization hosts several fundraisers each year. The latest benefit, however, appeals to one sense in particular: sound.

On Tuesday, April 14, SEASPAR will host the Chicago cast of "Million Dollar Quartet" for a concert fundraiser at the Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove. The cast will perform hit songs from the show, which was inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for just one night.

Supporters can buy general admission or premium seats, which include photo opportunities and autograph signings. General admission is $40; premium seats are $60.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Tivoli Theatre Box Office, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove; the SEASPAR office, 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove; Anderson's Bookshop, 5112 Main St., Downers Grove; or at brownpapertickets.com.

Proceeds will benefit efforts like the Wonders room, as well the year-round recreation SEASPAR provides that includes adaptive sports, dances and programs like Eagles, which recently expanded to three park districts - Brookfield, Darien and Lisle - and serves adult residents with disabilities through a day program that teaches independent living skills like cooking, grocery shopping, volunteering and working part time.

"We just offer so many ways for our residents to get involved and everyone who works here has such a passion for serving them" said Rasin. "That's what makes this so successful."

Bubble tubes inside "Wonders" allow visitors with disabilities to control color changes with the push of a button. Courtesy of SEASPAR
Inside a room created by SEASPAR at the Lisle Park District, several items are available for people with disabilities such as autism to move around the room as they please, including aromatic stuffed animals, weighted blankets and more. Courtesy of SEASPAR
SEASPAR will host a fundraiser on Tuesday, April 14, to raise money to support efforts like its Wonders multisensory room at the Lisle Park District, which serves people with disabilities like autism, ADHD and dementia. Courtesy of SEASPAR
Inside Wonders multisensory room created by SEASPAR, a Gesturetek Cube creates an interactive projection on the floor with special effects that are gesture controlled. Courtesy of SEASPAR
Bubble tubes inside "Wonders" allow visitors with disabilities to control color changes with the push of a button Courtesy of SEASPAR
SEASPAR serves adults and children with disabilities as an extension of the park districts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lisle, Westmont, and Woodridge, and the villages of Brookfield, Indian Head Park and Western Springs. Courtesy of SEASPAR
Bubble tubes inside "Wonders" allow visitors with disabilities to control color changes with the push of a button. Courtesy of SEASPAR
The Chicago cast of "Million Dollar Quartet" will headline a fundraising concert on Tuesday to benefit SEASPAR. Courtesy of "Million Dollar Quartet"
The cast from the Chicago production of "Million Dollar Quartet" will perform a concert of songs from the show during a benefit for SEASPAR on Tuesday, April 14, in Downers Grove. Courtesy of Paul Natkin

If you go

What: "Million Dollar Quartet" cast concert to benefit SEASPAR

When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14

Where: Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave. Downers Grove

Tickets: $40 general admission; $60 premium

Info: brownpapertickets.com, (630) 960-7600 or (630) 960-7605 (TDD)

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