‘It makes us better humans’: Broadway star returns home to Libertyville to raise awareness, support for the arts
An enduring childhood friendship and a desire to raise awareness of the arts is bringing a Broadway star back to her hometown of Libertyville for the first time in nearly 16 years.
Phillipa Soo is best known for originating the role of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton in the Broadway musical, earning her Tony and Emmy award nominations and netting a Grammy.
But for Ellen Williams, program and marketing director for the Adler Arts Center in Libertyville, Soo still is her close friend she first met in sixth grade at Highland Middle School.
Williams had worked her way up to general manager of the Second City training center in Chicago but returned to Libertyville to work at Adler in 2018. Soo left for The Juilliard School in New York after graduating from Libertyville High School in 2008, and hasn't been back since.
The pair text often and vacationed last November in Rome, Williams said. In recent years, Adler and the arts has been a topic of conversation.
“We didn't know about it,” Williams said of Adler, located on the north end of town at 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave. “It was just kind of the thing people would drive by and say, ‘What’s that house on Milwaukee Avenue?’”
Both women feel the arts play an important part in any community and discussed ways to raise awareness for Adler. A hometown concert was an idea but things never lined up. Finally, with the writers’ and actors’ strikes it was now or never, Williams said.
On Sunday, Soo is returning for a one-night only benefit concert at Libertyville High School.
“I’m so thrilled to be able to return to the community I grew up in and raise funds and support for The Adler Arts Center,” Soo said in an email.
“It is imperative that communities nurture and utilize local arts organizations, like Adler,” she added. “Exposing yourself to the arts is one of the fastest ways to expose yourself to new people and new ideas. It makes us better humans.”
As of Thursday afternoon, 730 of 765 tickets had been sold and $118,500 raised.
“We’re just so excited to have the opportunity to raise awareness of how important the arts can be for people and communities,” Williams said.
Jeff Brown, director of choirs at Libertyville High School, also will be there. He taught Soo all four years and said she was a special talent in all facets of performing to go beyond the high school stage.
“I think we all felt she had the abilities to be great,” Brown said. “None of use were surprised she made it big.”
At Soo’s invitation, the choirs will be joining her for the finale “Morning Glow” from Pippin. Libertyville High School alum Corey Richardson will accompany her on guitar.
“The fact she’s taking time out of her schedule to support the arts is really important,” Brown said.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit free community programming, student scholarships, construction to make the back patio area and general operating support for Adler, Williams said.
“Our biggest priority is making our building and grounds accessible and safe for the community,” she said.