May 3, 2019 | Just Added, Rialto News
May 3, 2019 (Joliet, IL) – The Tony® Award-nominated Broadway musical A Night With Janis Joplin rocks the Rialto Square Theatre on Monday, October 7th at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, May 10th at 10 AM online at RialtoSquare.com or in-person at the Rialto Square Theatre box office.
A Night With Janis Joplin is a musical journey celebrating Janis Joplin and her biggest musical influences – trailblazers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, all of whom inspired Joplin to become one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest legends. Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Her unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made Joplin a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Audiences will enjoy Joplin’s favorites, including “Piece of My Heart,” “Cry Baby,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and many others.
The New York Times raved that A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN “rocks the house” and Variety called it “electrifying.” New York 1 cheered, “This will rock your socks off!”
A Night With Janis Joplin is Created, Written and Directed by Randy Johnson. Complete casting will be announced at a later date.
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Apr 29, 2019 | Just Added, Rialto News
April 29, 2019 (Joliet, IL) – Rialto Square Theatre and VenuWorks will welcome Steve Earle & The Dukes with special guests, The Mastersons to the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL on Tuesday, June 25 at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 3 at 10am. Tickets start at $30 (plus applicable fees) and can be purchased at www.RialtoSquare.com.
Steve Earle & The Dukes return with GUY in 2019. A return to New West Records, the 16-song set is comprised of songs written by one of his two primary songwriting mentors, the legendary Guy Clark. GUY appears ten years after his Grammy Award winning album TOWNES, his tribute to his other songwriting mentor, Townes Van Zandt. Produced by Earle and recorded by his longtime production partner Ray Kennedy, GUY features his latest, and possibly best, incarnation of his backing band The Dukes including Kelley Looney on bass, Chris Masterson on guitar, Eleanor Whitmore on fiddle & mandolin, Ricky Ray Jackson on pedal steel guitar, and Brad Pemberton on drums & percussion. GUY also features guest appearances by fellow Guy Clark cohorts Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Terry Allen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Mickey Raphael, Shawn Camp, Verlon Thompson, Gary Nicholson, and the photographer Jim McGuire.
Steve Earle is one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation. A protégé of legendary songwriters Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, he quickly became a master storyteller in his own right, with his songs being recorded by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, The Pretenders, and countless others. 1986 saw the release of his debut record, Guitar Town, which shot to number one on the country charts. What followed was a varied array of releases including the Grammy Award Winning albums The Revolution Starts…Now (2004), Washington Square Serenade (2007), and Townes (2009). A true Renaissance man, Earle has become a novelist, a film, TV, and stage actor, playwright, record producer, and radio host. Earlier this year, he appeared in the off-Broadway play Samara, for which he also wrote the score that The New York Times called “exquisitely subliminal.” 2018 marked the 30th Anniversary of his legendary album Copperhead Road. GUY is Steve Earle’s 19th studio album.
“It’s no surprise to find that GUY is accomplished, spirited, and utterly complimentary to Clark’s unique songwriting gifts.” – American Songwriter
“Earle is now at the point in his career to give each of these songs the weighty interpretations they deserve.” – American Songwriter
“A winsome tribute.” – The New Yorker
“…a truly sublime homage.” – Stereogum
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Apr 29, 2019 | Just Added, Rialto News
April 29, 2019 (Joliet, IL) – TCG Entertainment and EndemolShine North America are thrilled to announce the hit culinary competition MasterChef Junior is debuting its first live tour this fall and coming to Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 3 at 10am. Tickets start at $35 (plus applicable fees) and can be purchased at MasterChefJuniorLive.com or www.RialtoSquare.com.
MasterChef Junior Live! brings the hit TV show MasterChef Junior directly to you LIVE! Featuring head-to-head cooking competitions with past MasterChef Junior all-stars and fan favorites, Q&A sessions, and an overall immersive audience experience fun for all ages.
Come be a part of MasterChef Junior Live! It’s an experience for the whole family and is a recipe guaranteed for a good time!
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Apr 19, 2019 | Just Added, Rialto News
April 19, 2019 (Joliet, IL) – Rialto Square Theatre, VenuWorks and NiteLite Promotions present the current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? in their new live improv tour WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, April 26 at 10 AM.
WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? is 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Cast members Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray will leave you gasping with the very witty scenes they invent before your eyes. Audience participation is key to the show so bring your suggestions and you might be asked to join the cast onstage! WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? showcases some of the improv games made famous on the long-running TV show as well as some exciting new ones, featuring musical direction by Bob Derkach.
Tickets are available in person at the Rialto box office or online at www.RialtoSquare.com. The Rialto Square Theatre is located at 102 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. More info at: www.RialtoSquare.com
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Apr 12, 2019 | Just Added, Rialto News
April 12, 2019 (Joliet, IL) – Rialto Square Theatre and VenuWorks proudly present Grammy Award-winning country music icons Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 7:30 PM. Tickets for this one-night engagement go on sale Friday, April 19th at 10 AM. More info online at www.RialtoSquare.com.
With a refreshed lineup and newfound energy, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played their first gig in 1966 in Southern California as a jug band and by 1969 had become a cornerstone of the burgeoning country-rock community. Their career breakthrough came in 1970 with the release of the record Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy and the single “Mr. Bojangles,” a folksy Top 10 pop hit that remains a staple of their live show.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band earned a pop resurgence in 1980 with “An American Dream” and “Make
a Little Magic.” Those singles also found traction on the country chart, setting the stage for a
major run at country radio. The band secured 16 Top 10 country hits between 1983 and 1990, including three No. 1 singles: “Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper’s Dream),” “Modern Day Romance,” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.” Bernie Leadon, a founding member of The Eagles, played in the band from 1986 to 1988 filling a vacancy by longtime member John McEuen.
Following an extended 50th anniversary tour, the ensemble grew to a six-piece in 2018 for the first time since their early jug band days. The group now includes Jeff Hanna (acoustic guitar, electric guitar), Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica), Bob Carpenter (keyboards), Jim Photoglo (bass, acoustic guitar), Ross Holmes (fiddle, mandolin), and Jaime Hanna (electric and acoustic guitar). All six members also sing, and when their voices merge, the harmonies add a powerful new component for the legendary band. In addition, with the father-son pairing of Jeff and Jaime Hanna, the band carries on a country music tradition of blood harmony.
With so much material to work with, the band is making it a point to shuffle the set lists more often, meaning that this isn’t the same Dirt Band show from years past. “We’re fortunate that we’ve got a deep songbook. That’s been on our list, to resurrect some of the tunes we haven’t done in a while, in addition to some new stuff,” Hanna says.
Tickets are available in person at the Rialto box office or online at www.RialtoSquare.com. The Rialto Square Theatre is located at 102 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. More info at: www.RialtoSquare.com
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Apr 11, 2019 | Just Added, Rialto News
Joliet, IL (April 10, 2019) – Rialto Square Theatre is thrilled to announce our 2019-2020 School Matinee Series lineup, made possible by a generous donation from Midland States Bank. This series provides fun and educational experiences for school-age children, while fostering a love of live theatre and the opportunity to visit the historic Rialto Square Theatre. Orders for the 2019-2020 School Matinee Series are now being processed. To learn more about the series or to reserve your seats, please visit www.RialtoSquare.com/schoolmatinees or call 815.726.6600.
“We had our most successful School Matinee Series to date in 2018-2019 and we can’t wait to build upon that success in 2019-2020!” Executive Director of the Rialto Square Theatre, Val Devine said. “I am especially thrilled to bring back Shaun Boothe after his sold out performance in February 2019. His passion and knowledge was truly inspirational to the 1,700 kids that attended the show. We can’t wait to experience his all-new cast of biographical characters in 2020.”
Each show includes a downloadable study guide for educators. These guides are an excellent resource for educators as they create the lessons and curriculum around the shows and their content.
Grant Assistance Generously Provided by ExxonMobil
Thanks to a donation by ExxonMobil, we will provide grant opportunities for Will County schools that demonstrate the need for financial assistance. We invite schools located in Will County that serve low-income communities (40% or higher) to visit our website and submit an application to be considered for our available grants. These grants will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. “The generosity of our community knows no bounds,” said Jack Erickson, Rialto Square Theatre Development Director. “We can’t thank ExxonMobil enough for seeing the value in arts education and making sure it is accessible for all.” Visit RialtoSquare.com/schoolmatinees for more information.
Like in years past, we are offering an “Early Bird Special” for educators working on curriculum for next school year. Anyone who reserves tickets before May 31st, 2019, will pay just $6 per ticket. Starting June 1st, prices will increase to $7 per ticket. For more details about this special offer, visit www.rialtosquare.com/schoolmatinees.
The 2019-2020 Rialto Square Theatre School Matinee Series presented by Midland States Bank season includes:
Professor WOW’s FUN-Believable Science Show
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 | 10 am
Grades K-8
WOW! Pow! How! When students see Professor Wow’s zany, high-energy FUN-Believable Science Show℠ and experience the fantastic, 12-foot tall “Foam Monster,” the impossible “Balloons in Orbit,” the uproariously funny “Bernoulli TP Wipe Out Challenge” and the “Super-Colossal Vortex Cannon.” They learn that nothing is impossible—as long as it obeys the laws of science!
Dog Loves Books
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 | 10am
Grades PreK-3
Louise Yates’ New York Times bestseller comes to life in ArtsPower’s newest musical about the irresistible Dog who loves everything about books. In fact, he loves books SO much that he decides to open his own bookstore. Dog decides that the best way to sell books is to act out all kinds of fun stories for his customers – everything from dancing dinosaurs to funny fairy tales. His customers can’t help but get into the act, too! How could Dog’s bookstore not be a huge success?
Four Score and Seven Years Ago
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 | 10am
Grades 3-8
To young Lemuel, who has escaped slavery in Georgia, life in Gettysburg is everything he had dreamed it would be. His ideas about the North and the South, as well as what it means to be a free man, are challenged, however, when he unexpectedly befriends Jacob, a young Confederate soldier.
The two men may be of different races and on different sides of the Civil War, but they have much to teach each other about bravery and loyalty in ArtsPower’s exciting and suspenseful musical.
Judy Moody & Stink
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | 10am
Grades 2-6
In this new musical, Judy Moody and Stink, this dynamic sister and brother duo take audiences on a hilarious adventure. As usual, Judy is in a mood. After seeing her classmate’s picture on the front page of the newspaper, Judy wants to be famous and sets off to find fame and happiness. All the while, Stink and his foul-smelling sneakers become a real distraction as he vies for the coveted Golden Clothespin Award. Judy Moody and Stink are the perfect pair for their imperfect capers that lead to fun, mystery, sibling rivalry, and, in the end, true friendship.
Shaun Boothe presents The Unauthorized Biography Series
Back by Popular Demand!
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | 10am
Grades 4-12
Told through a Hamilton-style performance, The Unauthorized Biography Series is a musical project that celebrates the world’s greatest cultural icons through biographical hip hop songs. Each chapter of the series captures the legacy of a positive and influential iconic figure in a documentary-style music video. Shaun Boothe is an award winning hip hop artist, TEDx speaker and creator of ‘The Unauthorized Biography Series’. Each chapter of the series captures the legacy of an influential iconic figure in a documentary-style music video.
Reserve your tickets now as this is sure to sell out!
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Tickets reserved by May 31, 2018 are $6 per ticket. Tickets reserved after May 31, 2018 are $7 per ticket. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Rialto Square Theatre Box Office at 815.726.6600, or email Box Office Manager, Kris Hernandez (khernandex@rialtosquare.com). The box office is located at 102 N. Chicago Street in Joliet. More info at: www.RialtoSquare.com
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