Ron Arden, art director for the Full Score Orchestra, said the 2016-2017 season reflects the group’s desire to bring more innovation and grow the organization.
For example, “In February, we’re premiering a brand new concerto for percussion written for our principal percussionist Josh Williamson,” said Arden of Zion.
And he promises a special Christmas concert when the group partners with the musical ministry at the Village Church of Gurnee, where it performs. “This will be an incredible celebration of Christmas music for the entire family,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gwethalyn Bronner promises a stellar 20th anniversary season at the James Lumber Center for Performing Arts in Grayslake, featuring iconic stars such as Rita Moreno and production companies such as Second City.
“Our presentations at the Lumber Center are a vehicle for a wide variety of styles and artistic origins and cultural backgrounds, and that helps support and educate the residents of our district, as well as bring them satisfying entertainment,” said Bronner, who has served as the center’s director since it opened 20 years ago.
The Full Score Chamber Orchestra and James Lumber Center are among myriad Lake County arts and entertainment organizations and venues that have planned concerts, dance musicals, plays, comedic performances, live music and other productions.
Following is a partial list of what’s scheduled for 2016 and 2017. Check the groups’ websites for updates.
Citadel Theatre
300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. 847-735-8554; citadeltheatre.org
Sept. 30-Oct. 30: “The Birds”
Nov. 18-Dec. 18: “A Christmas Story”
Feb. 3-March 5, 2017: “Elemeno Pea”
March 16-26: “Upright Grand”
April 28: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
College of Lake County Performing Arts Series
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. 847-543-2300, jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
Sept. 18: An Afternoon with Rita Moreno
Oct. 5: “Second City — Free Speech (While Supplies Last)”
Nov. 6: “FAME — The Musical”
Dec. 18: Tomaseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas
Jan. 14, 2017: Masters of Soul
Feb. 19: In the Mood
March 26: You’ve Got A Friend: The Music of Carole King and James Taylor
April 8: The Magic of Bill Blagg
May 13: The Long and Winding Road starring Jim Witter
College of Lake County Student Performances
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. 847-543-2300, jlcenter.clcillinois.edu
Sept. 29-Oct. 2: “James and the Giant Peach,” CLC theatre production
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Oct. 16: CLC Jazz Ensemble Concert with guest artist Ernie Watts
Oct. 23: CLC Wind Ensemble Concert
Oct. 29: CLC Choral Concert
Nov. 11-19: “Everyman,” CLC theatre production
Nov. 20: CLC Jazz Ensemble Concert
Dec. 2 and 3: Winter Dance Concert at CLC by Prairie Spirits Dance Troupe
Dec. 9: A Celebration of Shakespeare
Dec. 10: CLC Choral Holiday Concert
Dec. 11: CLC Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert
Dec. 14: CLC Concert Band Holiday Concert
Jan. 24, 2017: Fear No Art Festival
March 3-10: “The Cherry Orchard,” CLC theatre production
March 5: CLC Wind Ensemble Concert
March 12: CLC Jazz Ensemble Concert
March 18: CLC Gospel Choir Concert
April 14-23: Play On! CLC student theatre production
May 5: CLC Jazz Ensemble Concert with guest artist Terell Stafford
May 6: CLC Choral Concert
May 7: CLC Wind Ensemble Concert
May 10: CLC Concert Band Concert
July 14-22: Summer Musical “Jekyll and Hyde”
Festival Arts of Antioch
Village of Antioch Parks and Recreation Office, 806 Holbek Drive, Antioch. 847-395-2126; festivalartsantioch.org
Oct. 16: Tribute Concert for Ken Smouse at Antioch Community High School, 1133 Main St.
Dec. 13: Lakes Area Community Band Concert
Dec. 18: Handel’s Messiah, St. Peters Church in Antioch, 557 Lake St.
Full Score Chamber Orchestra
Village Church of Gurnee, 1319 Hunt Club Road. 847-746-3472, fullscore.org
Oct. 3: All-day children’s kids concert
Oct. 15: Gala Fundraiser, 2200 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan
Dec. 18: Welcome Christmas Concert in Gurnee
Feb. 18, 2017: Timeless Classics in Gurnee
April 29: Mark Rymer Tribute in Gurnee
Genesee Theatre
203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. 847-782-2366; geneseetheatre.com
Sept. 16: George Thorogood & the Destroyers with special guest Damon Fowler
Sept. 22: Alice Cooper
Sept. 23: Josh Turner with Raquel Cole
Sept. 24: Charles Esten and Clare Bowen
Sept. 29: Bill Engvall
Sept. 30: John Hiatt
Oct. 1: Black Violin with Chicago Bucket Boys
Oct. 7: Carlos Mencia
Oct. 8: Here Come the Mummies
Oct. 9: An Evening with Bill Maher
Oct. 13: Loverboy and Rick Springfield
Oct. 14: Art of Time Ensemble — Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Oct. 16: Peppa Pig Live!
Oct. 20: Vince Gill
Oct. 21: Dueling Pianos International
Oct. 22: Theresa Caputo
Oct. 29: Survivor, John Waite and a Flock of Seagulls and 1980s Costume Contest
Nov. 4: The Monkees 50th anniversary tour
Nov. 5: Avett Brothers
Nov. 9: GooGoo Dolls
Nov. 10: Styx
Nov. 11: The B-52s
Nov. 12: Peter Cetera
Nov. 17: An Evening with Jillian Michaels
Dec. 1: Ronnie Spector
Dec. 3: LeAnn Rimes Christmas Spectacular
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Dec. 10: The Nutcracker
Dec. 15: Kenny G
Dec 16: Wizards of Winter
Dec. 29: Morris Day & The Time
Jan. 20, 2017: State Ballet Theatre of Russia performs Cinderella
Jan 21: Air Supply with special guest The Romantics
Jan. 28: Eaglemania
Feb. 4: Billy Gardell
Kirk Players
Mundelein High School auditorium, 1350 W Hawley St., Mundelein. 847-521-6192; www.kirkplayers.org
Nov. 18- 20: “It’s A Wonderful Life”
March 31-April 2, 2017: “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
June 9-11: “I Remember Mama”
Lake Forest Symphony
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. 847-295-2135; lakeforestsymphony.org
Sept. 10-11: Eroica Symphony and Barber’s Adagio for Strings
Nov. 12-13: Brahms and Dvorak
Jan. 21-22, 2017: Immortal Beethoven
April 1-2: Fratres
May 21: Bruckner and Stephenson
Marriott Theatre
10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. 847-634-0200; www.marriotttheatre.com
To Oct. 13: “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying”
Oct. 26-Dec. 31: “Singin’ in the Rain
PM&L Theatre
877 Main St., Antioch. $13-$18. 847-395-3055; pmltheatre.com
Sept. 9-25: “Plaza Suite”
Oct. 28-Nov. 13: “Arsenic and Old Lace”
Dec. 2-18: “A Christmas Carol”
Jan. 27-Feb 12, 2017: “As You Like It”
March 24-April 9: “Man of La Mancha”
May 19-June 4: “To Kill a Mockingbird”
July 28-Aug. 13: “Young Frankenstein”
Three Brothers Theatre
115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $17-$22. 708-548-0283, 3brostheatre.com
To Sept, 24: “Butterflies are Free
Sept. 30-Oct.1: “Barrymore’s Ghost”
Oct. 7-29: “The Last Man on Earth”
Nov, 4-19: “Blink”
Dec. 2-17: “Santa Claus vs. Krampus”
Waukegan Symphony and Chorus
Symphony: Waukegan High School, 2325 Brookside Ave. Chorus: First Presbyterian Church, 122 N. Martin Luther King Ave., Waukegan. $7-$15 (symphony); $5-$10 (chorus). 847-360-4700, www.waukeganparks.org/cultural-arts/waukegan-symphony-orchestra-and-concert-chorus.htm.
Nov. 6: American A Cappella — Chorus
Nov. 12: Waukegan Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Shakespeare
Dec. 17: Do It Yourself Messiah, Chorus and Orchestra, First United Methodist Church of Waukegan, 128 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan
Feb. 25, 2017: Young People’s Concert — Orchestra
March 12: Six Evening Hymns — Chorus
May 20: Mendelssohn Symphony — Orchestra
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.