'Legends of Music' to feature 'special guest stars'
An audience member at the annual summer show put on by the Children's Theatre of Elgin and the Fox Valley Theatre Company can expect to see many special "guest stars at this year's performance.
A pint-size Neil Diamond, a petite Madonna and even Elvis, albeit much younger, maybe around the age of 14.
This year's show, called "Legends of Music," will feature the 130-plus member cast singing and dancing to more than 30 different musical numbers performed by music's "legends." Some cast members will even get the chance to dress up as the legends themselves while performing on stage.
"We wanted to do something that was different but in keeping with what we've done in the past," Peter Akemann, "Legends of Music" director, said.
"What's new this year is that we have six different mini-skits where the 'legends' come out as themselves and interact with the audience."
This is the first time the show will have performers act in addition to singing and dancing. Akemann hopes this will give more performers a small moment of stardom they would not experience otherwise.
Performances for the show will be held at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 19. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ECC Box Office at (847) 622-0300.
Blondie, Guns N' Roses, the Spice Girls and the Beatles are only a few of the many musical groups being portrayed. Janice Joplin, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Olivia Newton-John will also be making appearances.
According to Akemann, "Legends of Music" has been in the works since last November. The production process took longer as the crew searched for songs that would be popular with a diverse crowd and appropriate for all ages. Some songs were toned down a bit for the family-friendly show.
"There's a little bit of music from different time periods, which will appeal to older and younger generations. I think everyone will enjoy the medley," said show producer Michelle Clauer.
The cast is certainly excited.
"I'm excited about hamming it up a little. I just like performing," Tanner Bednar, 14, of Elgin said about his upcoming solo in the show.
Bednar will be performing as Neil Diamond, singing "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime."
"I like singing in front of everyone. Getting a solo in these musicals is the best thing. It feels like I'm doing my thing," he said.
Similarly, Chantel Gust, 15, of South Elgin is looking forward to performing the dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" on stage.
"Michael Jackson really knew how to dance, and actually doing the real 'Thriller' dance, that's going to be a lot of fun," she said.
If you go
What: "Legends of Music," a performance by the Children's Theatre of Elgin and the Fox Valley Theatre Company
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, June 19, 20, 26 and 27; 3 p.m. Sundays, June 21 and 28
Where: Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin
How much? Tickets are $10 or $8 for groups of 20 or more
Info: Call the ECC Box Office at (847) 622-0300
'Legends' cast
Bartlett: Katie Fenton
Batavia: Valerie Wilson
Carol Stream: Kashev Dalmia
Carpentersville: Emily Bails, Delores LeBron, Milton LeBron
East Dundee: Elliot Simmons
Elburn: Madison Kleba, Mark Michelson, Matthew Michelson, Tracy Suppes
Elgin: Noah Akemann, Victoria Arnish, Jaiden Ball, Tanner Bednar, Wyeth Bednar, Peirce Brown, Katie Burke, Cameron Coffland, Haley Dulabaum, Maddie Dulabaum, Meagan Gallagher, Amelia Gill, Brogan Gust, Chantel Gust, Maddie Hayes, Ethan Henke, Coby Ilani, Tali Ilani, Michael Jakubowski, Carlton Kellenberger, Cory Kelly, Austin Kinser, Tyler Kinser, Aimee Korby, Marta Krakowski, Ashely Lucas, Kaelyn Mack, Sonya Mack, Alyssa Maldonado, Janine Martin, Nikki Martino, Clee McCracken, Maxwell Moring, Ryan Nightingale, Adrianna Northrop, Jessica Parsons, Valentino Ranallo, Sarah Robertson, Grace Rockenhauser, Stella Rockenhauser, Alexis Schrepple, Paige Shockey, Emma Sirridge, Nico Sirridge, Owen Sirridge, Kellie Smith, Ellie Soosloff, Aleta Soron, Annika Spayne, Abigail Steffen, Hannah Stultz, Johnathan Stultz, Sarah Stultz, Krystine Swanson, Zachary VanBuren, Jocelyn Vanderwiel, Jack Werner, Layla Wisser, Kaylie Witsiepe, Cory Zapata
Geneva: Anne Olson
Gilberts: Elizabeth Baeder, Heather Bennett, Summer Bennett, Gianna Borecky, Toni Borecky, Christine Butcher, Kaylie Caldwell, Nolan Coyle, Allison Hill, Jordan Kolakowski, Jenna LaComb, Massimo Ranallo, Tatiana Ranallo, Saj Shaikh, Brittany Tepper
Hampshire: Jamie Anderson, Sean Doherty, Madelynn Eberhardt, Tyler Eberhardt, Taylor Ellett
Hoffman Estates: Cristian Camacho
Huntley: Izabella Georges, Kevin Kline
Pingree Grove: Courtney Petersen
St. Charles: Larissa Catalano, Courtney Clauer Bella Kistner, Jake Murphy, Gabrielle Nicastro, Arreyellen Salyards, Paige Woeste
Sleepy Hollow: Adam Horn, Alyssia Horn, Blase Horn, Jonathan Horn, Kyle Horn, Isabella Romano, Macsen Romano, Desiree Sulzmann
South Elgin: Rachel Benzing, Taylor Edwards, Mackenzie Gregg, Allie Kutcher, Olivia Loechner, Antonio Petrucci, Angelo Schutt
West Dundee: Amy Gorkowski, Cameron Griffiths, Christopher Swanson