Metropolis announces next year's lineup at gala
Supporters of the Metropolis Centre for the Performing Arts were feeling footloose and fancy free Friday night after that hearing actor Kevin Bacon and his band, the Bacon Brothers, were among the shows for its new season.
Executive Director Jim Jarvis announced highlights from next year's lineup during the theater's Encore 2009! Fundraising Gala.
It features everything from Broadway singers in its cabaret series - including Michael Ingersoll from "Jersey Boys," and Melissa Minyard from "Les Miserables" - to "Pump Boys and Dinettes," the most requested musical by Metropolis subscribers.
Rounding out the theater's subscription series are "Out of Order," a British farce; "Side Man," a Tony Award-winning drama and Pulitzer Prize nominee, and "Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical."
"Our patrons told us in our surveys that they wanted to see some expanded family offerings and also would like to see more music at Metropolis - and that's exactly what we did," Jarvis said.
Other musical groups to draw applause included acoustic rock singer Shawn Mullins, jazz pianist George Winston, folk singers Corky Siegel and Megon McDonough, and even a children's rock group called The Boogers.
"Saturday Night Live" alumnus Tim Kazurinsky served as emcee during the first part of the evening, held in the theater.
"It is totally amazing that you have something as wonderful as (the Metropolis) in your lives that hosts more performances than any other performing arts center in the state of Illinois," Kazurinsky said.
Guests saw a sampling of encore performances from last year and sneak previews of upcoming shows, including a song from the current show, "Baby the Musical, before some amazing feats by illusionist Bill Blagg.
For the first time, Metropolis officials handed out their Spotlight Awards, for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the performing arts center.
Recipients included former board president Monica McCarthy, as well as board members Dennis and Martha Hesse, all of Arlington Heights; the Saints, the volunteer theater ushers; and the Peoples' Bank of Arlington Heights, a longtime supporter.
Frank Appleby, Peoples' Bank president, accepted the first Spotlight Award. He said the bank continues to support the suburban theater and applauds its ability to draw patrons into the downtown business district.
"It's a great economic stimulus to the community," Appleby said. "Everyone downtown would tell you how important this is for business. It does make it lively."