Nov 28, 2018 | Just Added, Rialto News
CEDAR RAPIDS — “Noel the Musical” is a most lovely addition to the Christmas landscape — filled with enchantment swirling through the snow falling on the “invisible” homeless in a London park.
VenuWorks Theatricals, which sprang from a sleigh in Ames, is debuting this new tale of hope among the hopeless, and about 900 people of all ages received this gift Sunday afternoon at the Paramount Theatre. In return, they gave the cast a well-deserved standing ovation and cheer.
This isn’t your typical holiday tale. Love, faith and hope have to break through some pretty tough barriers and hardened hearts.
Young Noel isn’t nestled all snug in her bed, with visions of sugarplums dancing in her head. She’s hitting the streets to try to find the mother who disappeared six days ago. Just 12, Noel knows if the authorities find out she’s fending for herself, she’ll end up in an orphanage for Christmas.
In a park, she finds a community of homeless men and women battling their own demons, but with room in their lives to help keep Noel safe. They insist she check in with them twice daily as she goes about her quest.
The folks in the park get a helping hand, too, from a jaded man named Nick who outwardly bah-humbugs everything about Christmas, but gives them gifts they need, like a hat that just happens to be from a game that Edgar, a war veteran in a wheelchair, saw with his father in 1969.
Making matters worse, Noel has a solo in a televised Christmas play, for which her mother is making the costumes. Except, Noel bursts into tears whenever she tries to sing it, and the costumes aren’t finished, raising drama director Carnegie’s suspicions.
This show’s happy ending goes through a dark and winding path made brighter by Liam Bates’ delightful, winsome, soul-searching musical score. This Irish composer has worked with a who’s who of singers, arranging and conducting for Pete Townsend, Luciano Pavarotti, Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams, as well as composing and directing music for movies, including “Circle of Friends,” “Don Juan De Marco” and “Leap Year.”
The captivating story and lyrics come from the pen of fellow Irishman Eoin (pronounced Owen) Colfer, best-selling author of the “Artemis Fowl” series.
Rounding out the top-flight team are director Sam Scalamoni, director of the national tours of “Elf the Musical” and “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” around the world; and Broadway choreographer and dancer Charlie Sutton.
The technical team is equally stellar, creating a world of wonder, darkness and light, with two revolving platforms magically transforming into everything from Santa’s North Pole home to Noel’s home, the park and a community theater, all bedazzled by lighting effects and on-point costumes.
With that kind of star power behind the scenes, it’s no wonder the stars shine so brightly onstage. Jena Simmons, 11, from Jupiter, Fla., is utterly charming in the title role. When Noel finally dries her tears, Simmons belts out her big solo with all the gusto you’d expect from her previous professional star turn as “Annie.”
Tess Jonas brings the right mix of fantasy and caring to Duchess, the park dwellers’ own royalty. Once a maid, a nanny and a theatrical seamstress, she now is the kindly monarch for the homeless and for Noel. Her “Fairy Story Girl” solo near the end of the show is shattering.
David Johnson as her constant companion, the wounded veteran Edgar, is a powerful presence throughout, wringing out hearts and emotions in “Invisible,” lamenting the way people ignore the homeless, and in his plea for mercy and kindness near the finale. On the verge of being too preachy — and just when I feared his speech was going to launch into a treacly audience singalong — his tearful oration veered the play onto a more logical, palatable track.
A special nod goes to Todd Berkich, whose cranky Claus is really just a dispirited “delivery boy” for whom Christmas has become a burden too painful to bear. His huge, booming voice pierces the hardest heart in the woefully wrenching solo, “This Man.” In the end, the people Nick hopes to heal in the park heal his wounded heart.
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Nov 26, 2018 | Just Added, Rialto News
Joliet, IL (November 26, 2018) – Tiffany Jenkins, hilarious viral sensation, is heading to the Rialto Square Theatre for one night only, Friday, February 22, 2019 at 8 PM. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 30, 2018 at 10 AM. More info can be found online at www.rialtosquare.com.
Tiffany Jenkins is a wife, mother, author, content creator and recovering addict. Best known for her blog, Juggling the Jenkins, and hilarious viral Facebook videos, Tiffany speaks shamelessly, openly and honestly about her past and addiction, as well as her struggles with depression and anxiety.
Tiffany’s relatability has contributed to her rapidly growing fanbase, with 2.4 million followers on social media and over 200 million video views to date, proving that her honesty and wit is quickly propelling her beyond a viral sensation to a true inspiration for women and men alike. Tiffany’s story of hope, which she chronicled in her self-published book, High Achiever: The True Story of One Addict’s Double Life, has had such an overwhelming response that she is ready to tackle her next life goal – traveling the globe, meeting her supporters and making as many people laugh as possible.
Tiffany Jenkins: This Show Is Awkward AF is an opportunity for her supporters to spend some quality time with Tiffany as she shares stories not-previously covered in her book and blog, as well as hang out and answer audience questions in a candid evening full of humor, compassion, and friends.
A limited number of VIP packages, including a premium seat and pre-show photo opportunity will be available for purchase.
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Nov 9, 2018 | Just Added, Rialto News
Joliet, IL (November 9, 2018) – Rialto Square Theatre announced today the addition of two shows to the 2019 calendar. Legendary rock band, STYX will play the Rialto stage on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 and Grammy-winning comedian, Bill Engvall will perform on Friday, March 1, 2019 @ 8 PM. Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday, November 16th at 10 AM. More info can be found at www.rialtosquare.com.
STYX
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 @ 7:30pm
Ticket prices: $123.50 | $88.50 | $78.50 | $58.50 (additional fees may apply)
**Tickets On Sale Friday, November 16 @ 10am**
Hometown band STYX is coming back to Chicagoland for one night only! Styx hit its stride with guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw’s first LP with the band, 1976’s Crystal Ball, and then they become the first group to score four triple-platinum albums in a row: The Grand Illusion (1977), Pieces of Eight (1978), Cornerstone (1979), and Paradise Theater (1981). Over the ensuing decade, Styx weathered the shifting winds of the public’s musical taste, reconvening for a highly successful 1996 Return to Paradise tour that was expertly documented on both CD and DVD in 1997. Their catalog of songs features 16 Top 40 songs including “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Mr. Roboto.”
After 14 years, STYX’s sonically sweet 16th studio album and its most ambitious, most challenging, and most rewarding album to date, THE MISSION, was finally released June 16, 2017 on the band’s label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. It debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Top Albums, #Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Top 200 Albums (includes catalog and streaming). A special two-disc reissue of THE MISSION was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of THE MISSION mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound by singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw and producer Will Evankovich accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album’s 14 songs based on the album artwork. Other extras on the Blu-ray include: “The Making of The Mission Documentary” of exclusive interviews of SHAW and Evankovich, four music videos—“Gone Gone Gone” (official video), “Gone Gone Gone” (video created by NASA), “Radio Silence” (lyric video) and “Radio Silence” (live video from Syracuse, NY)—and three hi-res audio playback modes.
After more than a decade together on the road, this incarnation of Styx is looking forward to performing as many shows as it can as long as it can. “It all comes back to the chemistry,” says bassist/vocalist Ricky Phillips. “The legacy of this band will be that it brought joy to millions of people,” notes drummer Todd Sucherman. The jig is up, the news is out: The Esprit de Styx is alive and well, and now it’s time to see for yourself. Welcome to the Grand Evolution.
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Bill Engvall
Friday, March 1 @ 8pm
Ticket prices: $79 | $59 | $49 | $39 (additional fees may apply)
**Tickets On Sale Friday, November 16 @ 10am**
Bill Engvall is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country. Most recently, Bill was a contestant on season 17 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and as a fan favorite, he made it to the finals. He released his new stand-up special Just Sell Him For Parts in 2016 to Vudu. Earlier last year, Bill lent his voice to the animated comedy series Bounty Hunters, which aired on CMT. He previously starred in, and executive produced, the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show. Bill was part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy concert films, which sold over 9 million units and received a Grammy nomination.
He also starred on the WB’s hit sketch comedy show Blue Collar TV and in several solo specials for Comedy Central. In 2012 he reunited with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy on the Them Idiots Whirled Tour, which aired as a special on CMT. Bill’s first album, Here’s Your Sign, is certified platinum and held the #1 position on the Billboard Comedy Chart for 15 straight weeks. His second album, Dorkfish, also debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Comedy Chart, as did his subsequent comedy albums. Bill has written several books, including his 2007 autobiography “Bill Engvall –Just A Guy.” Bill recently filmed a new special entitled Just Sell Him For Parts. More information about Bill Engvall is available at www.billengvall.com.
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Nov 2, 2018 | Just Added, Rialto News
By DENISE M. BARAN–UNLAND
Agne G returns to the Rialto Square Theatre stage to headline concert
As many times as 16-year-old Agne Giedraityte has performed and competed vocally in the United States and Europe last eight years, she can’t help feeling nervous.
But when the Lithuanian-born Agne G, as she is known professionally, starts to sing, the emotion of the music makes all nervousness vanish. “When I sing, I feel whatever is written, all the emotions tied to the lyrics and the music,” Agne said. “It’s very freeing to be able to express myself through the music. I cannot put it into words. It’s euphoric, kind of, because it is so beautiful.”
Agne G, a classically trained soprano who’s performed at Carnegie Hall, appeared on NBC Television and spontaneously shared the stage with David Foster at Ravinia, will perform once again at the Rialto Square Theatre on Nov. 19 at “A Very Rialto Christmas,” the first of many holiday events the Rialto Square Theatre will offer this year.
“Again,” because Agne has performed on the Rialto stage several times, starting when she was 11 and competed twice in the former Rialto Idol Jr. competition. “I think the first time I sang ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’ and I got second place,” Agne of Downers Grove said. “And the second time I was 12 and I sang, ‘Time to Say Good-bye’ and I got first place.'”
Agne said she also sang with The Priests when the group performed at the Rialto. She will soon release her first Christmas album “Merry Christmas from my Heart.” She previously released “Dream – Never Let Go Of Your Dreams” and participated in the “Getting to Know You” collaboration CD by Tre Principesse. Agne currently takes lessons with Rachel Olsen, who also sings with the Chicago Symphony Choir, Agne said. Although Agne was always “a little shy,” Agne also loved singing and dancing from her earliest years. She began taking vocal lessons when she was 8 with a teacher from Lithuania. Six months into the lessons, the teacher recommended Agne start competing, so Agne did, Agne said.
“I got third place by the judge’s vote and first place by the audience vote,” Agne said. “It was really exciting for just starting out. It opened my eyes to what the possibilities could be.” She’s since won a number of singing competitions, including Baltic Voice 2013, The Sinfonetta Bel Canto’s competition, the International Music for Kids 2016 Competition in Romania and American Protégé, where Agne sang at Carnegie Hall in New York, according to a news release from the Rialto Square Theatre.
“That was a big milestone,” Agne said. “I think I was 13. Agne performs concerts throughout the year, with the holidays and the summer being her busy seasons. Her goal, naturally, is to make singing her full-time career.
But right now, Agne is still reveling at the unexpected opportunity to share the stage with David Foster at Ravinia in July. Agne said she was enjoying the concert when Foster suddenly asked if anyone would like to sing for 30 seconds.
Agne said she thought to herself, ‘Oh, my God, this is not happening!” and began waving her hands in the hair. She said Foster pointed at her, so she started to sing, “Time to Say Goodbye,” which is one of her most favorite songs to perform.
“He said, ‘Just a second. I know that song,'” Agne said. “He took me to the stage to sing with him while he played the piano. It was so amazing. I was trying not to cry.” Agne said attendees at the Nov. 19 event can expect a “nice Christmasy holiday experience.”
The event will include performances by the Cathedral Children’s Choir, the Joliet All City Choir, and special appearances by Michelle Gliottoni Rodriguez (soprano), Holly Keenon (violinist), and Kyle Minett (bass/baritone), according to the news release.
“I think this concert will be very personable,” Agne said. ” And warm and welcoming.”
WHAT: “A Very Rialto Christmas: A Family Concert Excperience”
WHEN: Nov. 19. Doors open 5:30 p.m., tree lighting 6 p.m.; organ concert 6:30 p.m.; concert 7 p.m.
WHERE: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St. Joliet
TICKETS: $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under
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Click Here to read original article by The Herald News
Oct 26, 2018 | Just Added, Rialto News
Joliet, IL (October 26, 2018) –BruMar Productions and Rialto Square Theatre announced today that TUSK, The World’s Number One Tribute to Fleetwood Mac will play the Rialto Square Theatre on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 2 at 10 AM.
No wigs, no backing tracks, no gimmicks, just five musicians recreating the music of Fleetwood Mac to perfection with note for note renditions that no other Fleetwood Mac tribute on the touring scene today can come close to duplicating. Tusk covers all the great hits of Fleetwood Mac, which has featured the talents of Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and others over the years.
The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years. It seemed only fitting that they should come together to form the Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute, and pay homage to a group that dominated the charts during the band members’ formative years.
Authentic-sounding and always respectful, Tusk leaves no stone unturned in replicating the sounds of one of the world’s best-loved, top-selling bands.
Opening the evening is Barracuda, The Ultimate Tribute to Heart. Barracuda has earned the reputation of the Midwest’s best tribute to the music of Heart. This six-member band recreates all of the greatest hits through the decades with absolute mind-blowing accuracy. The artists take exceptional care and precision to duplicate the original studio recordings, all totally live on stage! No computers, no backing tracks, just incredible musicianship paying a powerful and authentic tribute to the spirit and music of Heart. As many have said who have experienced their performance, you will swear you just attended a Heart concert!
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Sep 24, 2018 | Just Added, Rialto News
Joliet, IL (September 14, 2018) –VenuWorks and Rialto Square Theatre announced today that country music star, Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise, will play the Rialto Square Theatre on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 21 at 10 AM.
Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music and undeniable talent, Wynonna’s rich and commanding voice has sold over 30-million albums worldwide spanning her remarkable 34-year career. As one-half of the legendary mother/daughter duo “The Judds,” Rolling Stone once dubbed Wynonna as “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline.” This iconic performer has received over 60 industry awards, with countless charting singles, including 20 No.1 hits such as “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not me,” and “Grandpa, (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days).”
Wynonna and her band The Big Noise, led by her husband/drummer/producer, Cactus Moser, released their debut full-length album in February 2016 via Curb Records to critical acclaim. Wynonna has described the new sound as “vintage yet modern” and a “return to the well.” It’s a rootsy work encompassing country, Americana, blues, soul and rock. The album features special guests Derek Trucks, Jason Isbell, Susan Tedeschi and Timothy B. Schmit. NPR’s Ann Powers noted that, “With her tight band behind her after touring together for several years, she just sounds like she’s home…You can just feel the grin on her face.”
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