***You’ll find plenty of easy, free parking in Wilmette’s Village Center. In addition to no time-limit, on-street parking in the evening, there are parking lots across from and behind the Wilmette Theatre. Also within a short walk are parking lots behind Village Hall and the Metra Commuter Lots that are free and available in the evenings and weekends.
Chicago Kids Company's The Three Little Pigs
Sing along with Roxanne, Petunia and Babe (Three Rockin' Little Pigs) as they set out to build their houses.
Will the Big Bad Wolf huff and puff and blow them all down?
Charles Troy's GEORGE & IRA: THE GERSHWINS
A Multimedia Presentation by Charles Troy, musical theatre historian
The Gershwin brothers worked together only 13 years before George's early death in 1937. But they sure packed in a lot! We'll review their lives and work toegther in four multimedia presentations full of music, slides of lyrics, photos, graphics and film excerpts.
THE FLAPPER MUSICALS: In the 20's, the brothers bestrode Broadway with fast, sassy hit shows like Lady Be Good and Oh, Kay!
Wednesday, March 10th @ 1:30pm - Buy Tickets
THE POLITICAL MUSICALS: In the early 30's, they adapted to the Depression with very different shows like Of Thee I Sing and Let 'Em Eat Cake.
Wednesday, April 14th @ 1:30pm - Buy Tickets
THE CREATION OF PORGY AND BESS: George's 1935 musical theatre masterpiece was a labor of love that had been gestating for years. We'll follow the creative process and listen to the spectacular results.
Wednesday, May 12th @ 1:30pm - Buy Tickets
THE MOVIE MUSICALS: After the commercial failure of Porgy and Bess, George and Ira went to Hollywood and wrote some of their greatest songs in the year they had left together.
Wednesday, June 9th @ 1:30pm - Buy Tickets
GENERAL ADMISSION: $12 GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
Andrea McArdle is a seasoned show business veteran who became a ranking Broadway star at 13 when she created the central role in the musical smash Annie on April 21, 1977.
Andrea's musical theater roles have taken her to every major area of the United States. Some
of her starring roles include: Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway (1993-94) and Eponine in
the National Tour (1996-1997); Evita, State Fair; Jerry's Girls co-starring Carol Channing and
Leslie Uggams; Starlight Express (original cast); Singiní In The Rain; Meet Me In St. Louis;
The Fantasticks; Grease; They're Playing Our Song; Peter Pan; Snoopy; and, portraying
another celebrated Annie in Irving Berlin's classic, Annie Get Your Gun.
Event sponsored by:
Tentes Piano Movers New & Used Pianos 847.816.3300
Joyce Schrager presents FAMOUS FIRST LADIES
Join us for a lively interactive discussion with Joyce Schrager, well known lecturer and expert in current politics and
historical popular culture.
Most Americans are President-watchers...fascinated with their personal backgrounds, fascinated with their wives.
What role did she play in his success? What are her secrets? These questions and more will be discussed in these 3 programs.
Two first ladies each time, a total of 6 favorites.
Thursday, March 18th @ 10:00am - Buy Tickets
Thursday, April 15th @ 10:00am - Buy Tickets
Thursday, May 27th @ 10:00am - Buy Tickets GENERAL ADMISSION: $18 SERIES TICKET: $50 GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
Advanced Student Improvisers from the Actors Training Center perform alongside top Chicago Improv team COOK COUNTY SOCIAL CLUB
"Critics Pick" - Some of the flat-out funniest moments we've ever seen in an improv show come from this
fantastic four. Uncanny onstage chemistry and a roster of sharp improvisers well versed in balancing grounded
scenework and uncensored play…" - TimeOut Chicago
Join Jenniffer Weigel, Emmy-award winning journalist and author, as she kicks off her live
monthly interview series with columnist and film critic, Richard Roeper. An entertaining evening of
smart talk, laughs and back stories.
Richard Roeper was co-host of “Ebert & Roeper” for eight years.
He is the host of “Starz Inside,” a monthly documentary series, and he reviews new movies every week for
Starz and on richardroeper.com. Roeper also appears as a
regular contributor on the Reelz Channel.
Roeper's newspaper column has been appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times
since 1987 and has been syndicated to newspapers throughout the world. The column has garnered numerous honors, including the National Headliner Award. He has contributed to
Esquire, TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, Maxim and other publications. In 2000, he was named as one of People
Magazine's 50 most eligible bachelors.
Roeper is the author of eight books, including the upcoming “Bet the House,” to be published April 2010.
From 2002-2005, Roeper was the film critic for the CBS affiliate in Chicago. Prior to that, he was a
regular commentator for seven years on the Fox affiliate in Chicago, winning three Emmys.
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH SING-A-LONG!
Nationally known shadowcast troupe Midnight Radio will perform along with the film and lead the sing-a-long in this Glam Rock Odyssey!
Adapted from the critically acclaimed off-Broadway rock musical hit, the film, Hedwig and The Angry Inch, tells the story of an ‘internationally ignored’ rock singer, Hedwig, and her search for stardom and love. Born a boy named Hansel whose life’s dream is to find his other half, Hedwig reluctantly submits to a sex change operation in order to marry an American G.I. and get over the Berlin Wall to freedom. The operation is botched, leaving her with the aforementioned ‘angry inch’. Through a collage of amazing songs, comedic monologues, flashbacks and animation, Hedwig tells her tumultuous life story in a way that reinvented the rock musical.
Chicago-based live fan shadowcast troupe Midnight Radio will perform simultaneously onstage along with the 2001 Sundance Award winning film, Rocky Horror style, leading the audience participation. Featuring flamboyant costumes, outrageous hijinks, and special surprises, this one time show is a must see.
Calling all Hed-heads-- lift up your hands and sing-a-long with Hedwig! For those of you that don't know all the words yet, the lyrics will be projected onscreen along with the movie's sound and picture.
For fans of rock music, sing-a-longs, musicals, cult films and/or just plain fantabulous fun, this is a don't miss event! Buy your tickets today before this exclusive show sells out!
Narrated by: STEVE DOWNES
Morning Host - WDRV "The Drive"
40 years ago....something special happened in the world of Rock. Something special will happen again....one night
only. Please join us as we recreate Bill Graham's Fillmore East Extravaganza.Relive the times with over a dozen
musicians faithfully recreating this phenomenal event. This will be a psychedelic experience not to forget.
VAUDEVILLE AT THE METTEfeaturing Plucky Rosenthal! An evening of classic Vaudeville entertainment!
On April Fools Day, the Wilmette Theatre goes back to it's roots with the premiere of Vaudeville at the Mette featuring Plucky Rosenthal. Join us for an evening of comedy, song, magic, and more, featuring some of Chicago's top entertainers!
Featuring Plucky Rosenthal, the Jewish Star of Stage and Stage. With a flair for loud physical comedy and a great face for radio, this Jewish-American banjeuse and ukulady waffles between original songs and archaically dated pop hits and of today, yesterday, and to-yesterday.
"She is the bees knees, the cat's meow. An in the flesh re-incarnation of a Borscht Belt comedian" says
examiner.com.
"My find of the week is Plucky Rosenthal. Picture Fanny Brice, as portrayed by Barbra Streisand in
Funny Girl, playing the banjo..." from jrjenks.blogspot.com.
Also starring:
Juggler - Brad French
Comedy Duo - The Puterbaugh Sisters
Clown/Physical Comedian - Dean Evans
Magician - The Amazing Tomas
Vaudevillian Performance Troupe - The Oona Tramps
With Live Music provided by David Drazin on piano!
Susan Benjamin Presents OUTSTANDING TALENTS, OUTRAGEOUS LIVES!
You may think you know these stars, but you will know them in a deeply personal way after attending this series. Please join is for these four multimedia events from musical biographer, Susan Benjamin.
FRANK SINATRA
Wednesday, April 7th @ 10:30am - Buy Tickets GENERAL ADMISSION: $12 GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
Ladies Night Out From Paranormal to Pretty Normal
Parenting Intuitive Kids
Are your kids sensitive? Perhaps they are smart, yet not respectful of authority? Have they told you
about seeing "imaginary friends" or relatives who are no longer living? Do they feel responsible for the world,
or often know what is about to happen? Join Therese Rowley, Ph.D. and Jen Weigel for a warm, welcoming, humorous
night of stories and tips on how to parent intuitive children. Dr. Rowley will talk about what she has learned
from Intuitive Readings of these kids. From our home environment, to nutrition and daily exercises, you will be
given tools to optimally support our little intuitive. Bring your questions and your stories and let's have fun
while we learn together about the new kids.
Jenniffer Weigel is an Emmy Award winning Broadcaster, Author, Actor and Producer from Chicago.
She currently runs JCW Productions, creating entertainment programs and stories for
television as well as her website staytunedwithjen.com.
Her latest book, Stay Tuned, is a humorous yet deeply moving journey, spanning twelve years of research
and interviews, as Jenniffer struggles to find answers to some of life's most important questions. Jenniffer's career
path provides timely opportunities to meet with some of the most intriguing and insightful spiritual leaders of today.
Through conversations with best-selling authors, such as James Van Praagh, Caroline Myss, Deepak Chopra, and don Miguel Ruiz,
Jenniffer eventually transforms from a cynical journalist to a woman with grace.
Therese Rowley, Ph.D., is an intuitive and strategic business consultant offering information to
facilitate change and alignment. She has more than 25 years of grounded corporate experience in leadership
development, strategic planning, and change management. Dr. Rowley's unique skills as an energy worker and healer
place her at the intersection of business savvy and intuitive intelligence.
This family event teams the 1964 film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke with a live cast of professional
Chicago actors. Actors will invite the audience members onstage, invite them to dance along with the characters in
the film, and sing-a-long from their seats. The Performers engage the audience throughout the film and make them
the crucial final character in the story.
Silent films are back at the Wilmette with our new series, Silent Film Sundays. See some of the greatest silent films ever made presented on the big screen along with live piano by noted silent film accompanist David Drazin. It's perfect for the whole family.
THIEF OF BAGDAD from 1924 is up first. A spectacular accomplishment in production design and special effects, Raoul Walsh's THE THIEF OF BAGDAD is a bold Arabian adventure starring Douglas Fairbanks as a carefree pickpocket who turns his appealing brand of mischievous thievery toward the attainment of happiness... and an exotic Princess (Julanne Johnston). The only way he can win either is by retrieving the rarest treasures hidden within the mysterious Orient, a quest that grows more fantastic with every passing thrill, as the tenacious thief rises high above the city on a magic carpet, battles a fire-breathing dragon in caverns of flame and soars into the clouds on the back of a winged steed via innovative special effects.
"A feast for the eye! A feat of motion picture art which will enthrall time and again." -- The New York Times
Starring Laura Freeman with Musical Director Beckie Menzie
Who turns 88 on April 3rd? Miss perpetual virgin, Doris Day does! To celebrate, local cabaret favorite Laura
Freeman will host a celebration of her music. A regular performer at such sights as The Skokie Theatre, Maxim’s,
Davenports Piano Bar, the Drury Lane Water Tower and the Chicago Cultural Center, Miss Freeman…"becomes
the character reflected in the song. It shines in her face, in her voice, and above all, in her heart.”
- Carla Gordon,Cabaret Scenes
Who better to highlight this singer’s journey? Having recorded over 600 songs, Day is known for such hits
as Sentimental Journey, Secret Love and Everybody Loves a Lover. Doris was not just a pretty voice and a pratfall.
She represents the spirit of us all, at various times in history. She was the voice of the returning service men
from World War II. She was the voice of the early women’s lib movement, representing single career woman everywhere.
She was also the voice of a grieving gay community, at the height of the AIDS crisis. Her rendition of My Buddy,
sung for her friend Rock Hudson, was used to say goodbye to sons, brothers and lovers in the early 80’s.
Come see this classic cult film at the Wilmette Theatre! It's the
full Rocky Horror Picture Show experience with audience participation
and a live performance with the film by the Midnight Madness Rocky
Horror Picture Show cast of Chicago!
Check back soon for April Date!
Chicago Kids Company's CINDERELLA
Dreams really do come true! See for yourself in this hilarious musical of one of the most popular fairy-tales ever told!
