Liberty Town Productions to Present Annual BEST OF BROADWAY Cabaret Show, 8/3

Liberty Town Productions, Libertyville's not-for-profit entertainment company, hosts its fifth annual Musical Summer Showcase featuring the Best of Broadway on Saturday, Aug. 3, in The Fuel Room of Austin's Saloon & Eatery. Show times are 6:00 and 8:15 pm.

"Showcase," as Liberty Town's performers call it, is presented in a cabaret-style setting and includes songs from all eras of American musicals. The cast features local performers, many of whom are either studying for professional music careers or are already performing with professional organizations and troupes. The Showcase is directed by Grayslake's Dustin Helvie and Waukegan's Colin Douglas with choreography by Wauconda's Meghan Reimers.

"I always look forward to working with all our Showcase performers," says Helvie. "This is a great chance to rekindle some great friendships and produce an outstanding show. Every year, we have part of our cast who have been here before and add new talent, too. This year we did a blind audition by having performers send it audio recordings and choosing the cast from those. But our goal is always to raise the bar, bring outstanding performers and music to the Libertyville community and have a great time doing it."

This year's North Suburban cast and band members include: Cassie Austin, Libertyville; Micah Brame, Libertyville; Bill Coronelli, Libertyville; Dawn Crowther, Libertyville; Bill Dejon, Libertyville; Laurel Kaiser, Hawthorn Woods; Susie Kiefer, Libertyville; Daniel Mendoza, Waukegan; Scott Metzger, Libertyville; Diana O'Connor, Grayslake; Abbi Adjei Perberg, Hainsville; Penny Roman, Round Lake; and Jodi Thors, Gurnee; along with Chicagoland performers: Maggie Bieritz, Patrick Farbo, David Lundholm, Adelle McDaniel, Peter Rasey and BranDon Smith.

"Don't simply call this Showcase a talent show," says Barry Reszel, Liberty Town's executive director. "Many of our cast members are students and graduates of some of the best performing arts programs in the country. Our first showcase featured Libertyville's Ian Liberto, who has now been in numerous Broadway shows and in the Tony Awards' and Kennedy Center Honors' performance casts. Know this, the Liberty Town Summer Showcase is the best $15 you can spend on local entertainment, Aug. 3."

Tickets for either of the two performances (6:00 pm and 8:15 pm) are $15 ($10 for students) online in advance at www.libertownproductions.com. If available, tickets will be sold at the door. Seating is general admission with doors opening 30 minutes prior to showtime. Austin's Fuel Room is at 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville.

Photo Credit: Jerry Crabtree Photography