Summerfest 2009

Entertainment Guide

"SUMMERFEST SPECTACULAR" FEATURES HIGHLIGHTS

FROM 31 YEARS OF MUSICALS AT ITC

Every summer since 1978, the Illinois Theatre Center of Park Forest has presented Summerfest, a major Broadway musical featuring the very best in local talent, along with professional guest artists. This summer, ITC proudly presents SUMMERFEST SPECTACULAR, a lively musical revue featuring songs from all of the Summerfest musicals of the past 31 years.

Many youngsters who got their start in Summerfest have gone on to successful careers as professional performers, appearing on Broadway, with major opera companies, on television and in films. The cast of SUMMERFEST SPECTACULAR features several guest artists who have appeared in ITC's professional Mainstage productions, as well as many Summerfest veterans and newcomers.

Bernard Rice made his ITC debut in 1978 and has appeared in dozens of Mainstage productions. He will be recreating songs from his first Summerfest production, CARNIVAL (1979) as well as his most recent, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (2005). His wife, Judy Rossignuolo-Rice, performed opposite him in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She is also a longtime Summerfest and Mainstage veteran, first appearing in FUNNY GIRL in 1984. Cara Scott made her ITC debut portraying one of their daughters in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She also went on to Mainstage appearances, returning to Summerfest as the lead in URINETOWN (2007).

Carmen Severino made her ITC debut in GEORGE M (1985) and went on to several Mainstage roles over the years. Jeny Wasilewski was already a veteran of two Mainstage shows when she portrayed the title role in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN in 2006. Burke Fry, first seen by ITC audiences in ANYTHING GOES (1989) also went on to the Mainstage. Caron Buinis, known to ITC subscribers for her dramatic roles, will display her singing talent for the first time in "Summerfest Spectacular". ITC co-founder and Artistic Director Etel Billig will also make a rare Summerfest stage appearance.

Other returning Summerfest veterans include Megan Murray, Patrick Murray, Amanda-Claire Lowe, Fred Berg, Andrew Wlos, Joe Wlos, Alex Glover, and Joshua Banks. They will be joined by newcomers Megan Tipton, John Ligda, Erin Creighton, Ernest Ray, and Charles Kay.

The production is directed by David Boettcher, who also serves as Narrator/Host. Mr. Boettcher has directed and appeared in several ITC Mainstage productions, as well as directing Summerfest since 2007. ITC's longtime Musical Director Jonathan R. Billig supplies the musical accompaniment.

SUMMERFEST SPECTACULAR will be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings, July 17, 18, 24 & 25 at 8 PM, and Sunday afternoons, July 19 and 26 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $14 for students and seniors (65+). All seats are reserved. The Illinois Theatre Center is located in Downtown Park Forest at 371 Artists Walk (off Indianwood Blvd., adjacent to Village Hall). For tickets, call (708) 481-3510.

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Call (708) 481-3510 for tickets