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Elgin Community College unveils new season of music, theater and dance

Posted July 31, 2025 12:23 am

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On Dec. 12, swing into the season with Under the Streetlamp’s holiday show, “Hip to the Holidays!” featuring former stars of the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys. Courtesy of Under the Streetlamp

The Elgin Community College Arts Center has announced its 2025-26 season lineup, offering an eclectic mix of performances that promises something for every artistic taste. From high-energy musical showcases and holiday favorites to cutting-edge theater and globally acclaimed artists, this season is a celebration of imagination, storytelling, and the unifying power of live performance.

“We’re thrilled to unveil the ECC Arts Center’s 2025-26 season with shows that honor the past, embrace the present, and inspire the future,” said Tommy Hensel, senior director of performing arts at Elgin Community College. “From the timeless elegance of Shakespeare and the retro sparkle of Under the Streetlamp to the showstopping soul of Uptown and the sassy squad of fairy-tale princesses in ‘Disenchanted!,’ this season is an exciting tapestry of culture, creativity, and connection. Extraordinary Experiences await!”

The season kicks off on Friday, Sept. 26, with the wildly imaginative Artrageous, a fusion of art, music, theater, and creativity that’s as colorful as it is captivating. Audiences also will enjoy the witty off-Broadway hit “Disenchanted!” (Saturday, Oct. 11), a hilarious take on fairy tale princesses who are fed up with the storybook status quo.

Musical highlights include the jazz-meets-big band stylings of “The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra: Rags to Riches — Celebrating the Life and Music of Tony Bennett” (Saturday, Oct. 18), the nostalgic holiday harmonies of Jim Witter’s “Christmas Memories” (Saturday, Dec. 6), and the retro cool of “Under the Streetlamp: Hip to the Holidays” (Friday, Dec. 12).

Fans of genre-bending guitar work won’t want to miss Luca Stricagnoli (Friday, April 10) an internet sensation known for his innovative techniques and dynamic stage presence.

Classics get a fresh twist with The Lord Chamberlain’s Men performing “Twelfth Night” (Friday, Oct. 24) in authentic Shakespearean style, with an all-male cast, original practices, and period costumes.

Dance enthusiasts can look forward to the internationally celebrated, gender-skewing Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Saturday, Jan. 31), a playful and virtuosic all-male ballet company that’s equal parts comedy and technical brilliance.

The R&B/soul revue Uptown will be coming to the ECC Arts Center on March 21. Courtesy of Uptown

The season also features the high-octane R&B/soul revue Uptown (Saturday, March 21), fusing Bruno Mars-caliber stage presence with top-tier vocals and wall-to-wall choreography, and the vibrant and socially conscious fusion sounds of Las Cafeteras (Friday, March 27).

Back by popular demand is the Midday Matinee series, offering daytime entertainment, perfect for groups, seniors, and nostalgic music lovers of all ages:

• “Hey There: The Music of Rosemary Clooney” on Tuesday, Oct. 14

• “And the Winner Is: The Greatest Award-winning Songs of All Time” on Tuesday, Nov. 18

• “Switchback: Travelin’ Down an Irish Road” on Tuesday, March 17

• “If I Had a Hammer: The Heart of Folk Music” on Tuesday, April 7

On Sept. 26, see music, dance, and live painting collide in a mesmerizing fusion with the interactive art show, Artrageous, at ECC Arts Center. Courtesy of Artrageous.com

Club Cabaret returns to the intimate SecondSpace Theatre, showcasing charismatic performers who capture the essence of classic cabaret in a relaxed, yet elegant ambiance:

• “Make ’Em Laugh” on Nov. 21-22

• Jo Ann Daugherty Trio and Bruce Henry present Groove Sessions: Pop, Country, Soul & Jazz Hits Reimagined on March 6-7

Tickets for all these performances go on sale Monday, Aug. 4, and can be purchased at eccartscenter.org, by phone at (847) 622-0300, or in person at the ECC box office, 1700 Spartan Drive, Building H, Elgin.

On Oct. 18, The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra, an 18-piece big band from Savannah, Georgia, will bring their tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett to the ECC Arts Center stage. Courtesy of The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra

Jim Witter will be bringing “Christmas Memories” to the ECC Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 6. Courtesy of ECC Arts Center

On Saturday, Jan. 31, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, an all-male ballet company known for its humorous performances of classical ballet, will be performing at the ECC Arts Center. Courtesy of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

On March 27, Las Cafeteras will take you on a musical journey from Afro-Mexican to Americana, from soul to Son Jarocho, from roots to rock and hip hop. Courtesy of Las Cafeteras

On April 10, Luca Stricagnoli, an acoustic fingerstyle guitar virtuoso from Italy, will be performing at the ECC Arts Center. Courtesy of Luca Stricagnoli

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