Rising Star theater group offers ‘Special Night’
You generally know a good idea when you see it, and Rising Star Theatreworks has been putting one to good use. I wanted to put in this reminder today because this good idea takes place Thursday.
The youth theatrical group is again offering its “Special Night for Friends” at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Arcada Theatre, inviting those with special needs and their families to attend a free showing of the final “Oklahoma” dress rehearsal.
Jeanne O’Donnell, co-founder of Rising Star, has always wanted to include those with special needs because they are often hesitant to attend a regular show. At this dress rehearsal, O’Donnell said that those in the audience can clap or sing along at any time.
Tickets are available by contacting Nancy Hansen at (630) 845-9165 or HansConsulting@aol.com. Organizers note that a limited number of wheelchair spaces are available, so those needs should be indicated in any message because tickets will be handed out at the door. Rehearsal begins at 7:30 and will end by 9:30 p.m.
Feeding that hunger: In another example of how the theater can give back to the community, the kids who make up the cast of “Little Shop of Horrors” for the Fox Valley Repertory Youth Ensemble will be collecting donations at the end of their performances July 2, 9, 10 and 16 to benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the repertory’s scholarship program.Any donation is helpful, and Scott Piner, development manager for Fox Valley Repertory, is hoping loyal patrons of the theater will donate an extra $5 to $10 for the #147;FEED me#148; campaign.The campaign indicates it is feeding hungry families, and feeding the knowledge and experience of those young people who want to pursue the arts in the future.Information about the shows is available at foxvalleyrep.org.Local kids in #145;World#146;: We had the pleasure of attending #147;Around the World in 80 Days#148; at Pheasant Run last weekend, and this fascinating Jules Verne journey kicked off the summer theater festival for Fox Valley Repertory.The laughs were fast and furious for this version, as seen through a boy#146;s imagination in transforming his bedroom into the glorious trip of Phileas Fogg of London and his wager that he could travel around the world in 80 days. The entire cast was impressive, but it was great to see that two young Batavia boys, Caden Bohmer and Colin Steele, will alternate in the key role of #147;The Boy,#148; as the play continues through the end of the month.Weather watching: This would be a week to watch weather reports closely, mainly because my wife and I like to attend Swedish Days virtually every day. Because it is one of the longer summer festivals, from Tuesday through Sunday, it has always had its share of uncooperative weather.As of this writing, there was a threat of rain pretty much each day, but let#146;s hope it doesn#146;t wash out this grandest of community festivals.What a treat: Batavia Creamery recently made for a good pit stop on a warm night for #8212; how#146;s this sound? #8212; a Peanut Butter Pie ice cream cone.