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Schaumburg Summer Theatre celebrates 30 years

Schaumburg Summer Theatre presents Cabaret Night, an evening of songs celebrating a 30-year legacy of bringing musical theater to area audiences. Cabaret Night will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg.

Drawing from a repertoire of musicals staged by the company over the past 30 years, Cabaret Night features veteran SST company members along with current stars in this summer's production of "Ragtime." Songs from "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Anything Goes," "Guys and Dolls," "The Pirates of Penzance," and other shows will be performed, along with music from "West Side Story" and "On the Town" (in a nod to the centennial of Leonard Bernstein's birth).

The program will also feature video clips of Summer Theatre highlights along with selections previewing "Ragtime," playing at the Prairie Center July 27 to Aug. 5.

While community theater companies come and go, Schaumburg Summer Theatre has persevered for 30 seasons, offering full-scale musicals performed by high school and college students.

"I think the program's success lies not only in the high bar we set for our productions, but also in our efforts of empowering young artists to be their best on and offstage," says the Prairie Center's Rob Pileckis, who has directed the program since its first production in 1989.

While many company members have opted for career paths outside of the entertainment world, others have dedicated themselves to the craft, appearing in film, on television and even on Broadway, going as far as SST alum Katrina Lenk, who took home a Tony Award this year for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her star turn in "The Band's Visit."

Proceeds from ticket sales, $15 for all seats (general admission), will support the Schaumburg Summer Theatre program. Patrons can also show their support by contributing to the company's "30 for 30" drive this summer.

A donation of $30 will help Summer Theatre continue to provide talented newcomers a unique opportunity to develop their skills while bringing grand entertainment to audiences at the Prairie Center. Donors will be acknowledged in the upcoming Schaumburg Summer Theatre program book for "Ragtime."

Tickets can be purchased (and donations made) online at www.prairiecenter.org or by calling (847) 895-3600. Schaumburg Summer Theatre is a program of the Village of Schaumburg.

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