Metropolis celebrates milestone and the lineup for new season
The stars were shining Friday night at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, as officials celebrated its 10th anniversary by announcing its new season.
A sellout crowd gathered at the downtown venue for its annual Encore Gala, which raises money for its Metropolis School of the Performing Arts and outreach programs for children with special needs.
Jim Jarvis, executive director, announced a star-studded lineup that included more concerts than ever, with performers like Joan Baez, Robert Cray, Paula Cole, Shawn Mullins and Emmy award-winning singer Liz Callaway all headlining the venue.
"I know it sounds canned, but I truly believe this is the best and most exciting season Metropolis has ever had," Jarvis said.
He described a beefed-up series of tribute bands playing as part of the theater's live music series. The bands will perform music of Billy Joel, Elton John, the Bee Gees and Steely Dan, as well as Judy Garland and Julie Andrews.
Jarvis said that four years ago, Metropolis officials started to add more concerts to their season, and they have steadily drawn full houses.
"We've got the perfect venue for concerts," Jarvis says. "It's intimate, the acoustics are great, and the farthest seat from the artist is only 55 feet away."
Metropolis opened in 2000, and Jarvis hailed its role as an economic engine in revitalizing downtown Arlington Heights over the last decade.
He pointed to statistics from last season that indicated more than 76,000 people had come through its doors to see shows and take classes. In addition, they had generated $1.3 million in revenue for Arlington Heights restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
"There's no other town along the (northwest) railway that has this kind of professional theater," said Mark Anderson who started the theater in 2000. "It brings so much vitality to the community."
As far as the theater's subscription series, its four mainstay productions hit a bit of a hitch. Jarvis promised that the opener is a Tony Award-winning blockbuster, but due to contract agreements he cannot disclose the show until July 20.
"It took two years to obtain the licensing rights," Jarvis said. "It's one of our biggest shows ever and will be an amazing opening to our subscription season."
The rest of the season includes "The Boys Next Door" by Tom Griffin, opening in January, and "The Butler Didn't," an original comedy opening in March and written by their resident playwright, Scott Woldman. The season closes with the comedy "Nunsense," about the Little Sisters of Hoboken, opening in May.
Its comedy acts take off in June with WGN Radio's Steve Cochran doing stand-up, as well as Second City's "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" starting in August. Its late night series includes a comedy parody of the popular "Twilight" series, while the interactive "Flanagan's Wake" returns in March to help usher in St. Patrick's Day.