ROCKY HORROR & More Set for The Center For Performing Arts' 2024-25 Season

Governors State University (GovState) celebrated its 55th Anniversary. The Center for Performing Arts (The Center) is joining in the nostalgia with one of its most bold, vibrant, and joyful seasons yet. Opening The Center's 29th Season is the U.S. premiere of "BOOM X," a breathlessly energetic one-man show created and performed by Rick Miller, who "Entertainment Weekly" dubbed "one of the most creative people alive today." "BOOM X" starts with Woodstock in August of 1969 (one month after GovState opened) and ends in 1995, the year that The Center opened its doors.

"BOOM X" is just one of the multi-generational shows of the 2024-25 season. The season will also feature favorites such as "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," "The Nutcracker," and "DRUMLine Live!"

The Center's Executive Director, Scott Sowinski, reflects on his first year and the season ahead, "I'm proud of what we have accomplished and will continue to accomplish. We have expanded family-friendly offerings, established new, multigenerational traditions, and increased our attendance by 36%. It has been an honor to serve The Center: where I first found art (or art found me) in my own backyard. It did not take a journey to Broadway or even to downtown Chicago. We will continue our commitment to accessible, diverse, and quality entertainment in your backyard, striving to make The Center the cultural hub of the Southland."

The Center is continuing its momentum by expanding its offerings with five signature series in 2024-25:

• The Spotlight Series features iconic national and International Artists. The 2024-25 Spotlight Series will feature: The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and Jeff-Award-winning Kokandy Productions performing "Sweeney Todd in Concert"; A Tribute to Cher featuring Lisa McClowry in "The Beat Goes On"; the much-anticipated return of "DRUMLine Live!", and a Celebration of Motown and Soul music from Uptown.
• The Family Series continues The Center's commitment to affordable tickets for children ($20) with Ruth Page Dance Center's "The Nutcracker"; America's Got Talent's shadow dance company The Silhouettes' "LOVE Happens"; and a fusion of live art, rock concert, and magic with "ARTRAGEOUS!"
• The From Us to You Series continues its second season, featuring local, Chicagoland talent headed by The Center's staff returning with "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" featuring a Live Shadow Cast and Audience Partici...pation just in time for Halloween as well as the beloved radio play "It's A Wonderful Life" in December.
• The Opera Up Close and Cabaret Series showcases the power of the human voice up close and personal with the audience seated on stage, feet away from the musicians and vocalists. The Season's Opera offerings include "HARANA" featuring a quartet of Filipino Tenors and a Mother's Day Brunch featuring Opera Up Close favorites. The Cabaret series features local talent including GovState's own professor Dr. Cherise Stone-Thomas AKA Joy Storm and her Rock and Soul Band as they pay tribute to the Women of Rock and Soul Music. In March, Rosie and the Rivets pay tribute to the early days of Rock n Roll.

Tickets to individual shows and flex passes are on sale now. Flex Buyers qualify by purchasing any number of tickets to three or more 2024-25 shows. Flex Buyers save 15% on tickets, enjoy flexible exchange privileges, and receive invitations to the exclusive Concierge Lounge prior to select shows. The Concierge Lounge features complimentary drinks, appetizers, and a chance to mingle with The Center staff and artists (based on availability).

The Center for Performing Arts' 2024-25 Season is proudly sponsored and funded by Sutton Ford, Old National Bank, Governors State University Honors College, Nicor Gas, and The South Suburban Chicago Links, Incorporated Chapter.

For more information, ticket prices, and preview videos, visit CenterTickets.net.

Center for Performing Arts 2024-25 Season Lineup

September 2024

BOOM X: The Music, Culture, and Events of Generation X

October 2024

The Rock & Soul Band presents: QUEENS OF ROCK AND SOUL

Paying tribute to the women who revolutionized classic rock and soul including Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Stevie Nicks, Pat Benatar, Donna Summers, Whitney Houston, and more!

SWEENEY TODD In Concert

Just in time for Halloween, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra returns to The Center, in partnership with the Jeff Award-winning Kokandy Productions, to perform Stephen Sondheim's macabre masterpiece. Musical theatre fans and classical music aficionados will not want to miss this historic musical event.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

with a Live Shadow Cast and Audience Partici...pation!

November 2024

Re-Writing the Declaration presented by GovState Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS)

What happens when a class of Black women and non-binary folx of color take a trip to 1776? Believing that the founding fathers and documents never intended to include women, people of color, or LGBTQ+ individuals, this participatory, devised play considers re-writing the declaration.

The Beat Goes On: Featuring Lisa McClowry as CHER

A theatrical extravaganza celebrating six decades in the life and career of the Goddess of Pop. The show incorporates dynamic dialogue, humor, audience participation, flamboyant costume changes, and video projection. Hear Cher's hits spanning from the 60's to today including: "I Got You Babe", "Gypsies Tramps and Thieves", "I Found Someone", "The Way of Love", "Dark Lady", "If I Could Turn Back Time", "Believe" and more!

Ruth Page's THE NUTCRACKER

This beloved holiday family classic is the only production that recreates the original version's full-length staging. Little Clara, her mysterious godfather magician, a handsome prince, the battle between toy soldiers and mice, and a forest glade of dancing Snowflakes are all brought to life in this beautiful and joyful production. Featuring international guest artists alongside the Ruth Page Civic Ballet elite dancers.

December 2024

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play

Rediscover the magic of Frank Capra's timeless masterpiece, in a fun and immersive way. This live radio play adaptation takes you back to the 1940s, where you are part of a live studio audience!

January 2025

HARANA presented by LÍRIKO: An Evening of Arias, Songs, and Serenades

LÍRIKO is a Chicago-based group of Pinóy (Filipino) Tenors comprised of Ace Gangoso, Rodell Rosel, Geoffrey Agpalo, and Jared Esguerra, featured frequently at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

February 2025

The Silhouettes LOVE Happens

The Silhouettes -- first runner-up on America's Got Talent season six in 2011 and Golden Buzzer winners on America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2020 - is America's premiere shadow-dance company. "LOVE Happens" is an entertaining, family-friendly story filled with the types of love that fill our world. Everything from the love of friendship, family, pets, to romantic love, the love of a child, love of music, the painful side of love, love of life - even the love of chocolate!

DRUMLine Live!

This show-stopping attraction created by the musical team behind the hit movies, "Drumline" and "Drumline: A New Beat," embodies the soulful, high-stepping style of the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band experience with riveting rhythms, bold beats, and ear-grabbing energy.

DREAM presented by The GovState Dance Company

The show's theme explores Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic speech "I Have a Dream," offering a unique perspective on the power of imagination and the reimagined American Dream.

March 2025

DREAM presented by The GovState Dance Company

8

UPTOWN: A Celebration of Motown and Soul

From New York City, the epicenter of contemporary Pop and Soul, Uptown is a group of men who combine the smooth stylings of R&B with the fresh hits of today. The perfect mix of Bruno Mars caliber stage presence with the vocals of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

15

ARTRAGEOUS! The Electrifying Art & Music Circus

Step into an outrageous adventure of art: the ONLY show where you can witness the fusion of live visual art, rock concert, imaginative movement, vocal performance, comedy, blacklight Bunraku, Artpunk wear, and inclusion in one magical experience. A high-energy, immersive experience that encourages audience participation with music, dance, puppetry, storytelling, and original, speed-painted visual art!

23

ROSIE AND THE RIVETS

An electrifying female-fronted retrospective tribute to the first ten years (1954-1964) of Rock & Roll. Along with early Rock & Roll favorites, you'll hear Girl Group, Rockabilly, R&B, Surf, and British Invasion featuring Rosie's powerful and versatile voice.

April 2025

3-6

DOG SEES GOD presented by GovState Theatre and Performance Studies (TAPS)

An "unauthorized continuation," this play reimagines characters from the popular comic strip Peanuts as degenerate teenagers.

May 2025

25

Opera Up Close presents MIMOSAS AND MELODIES:
A Mother's Day Brunch

Join Opera Up Close favorites John Concepcion, Mike Cavalieri, and their friends for this vocal tribute to Mothers. Spanning Broadway to Classical and Opera, celebrate Mother's Day with this mimosa-fueled, musical extravaganza!

How to Purchase Tickets

• Online at CenterTickets.net
• Over the phone at 708.235.2222
• In person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484

Box Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Thursdays: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and two hours prior to all performances.

Flex Packages
You qualify for a Flex Package when you buy 3 or more shows for the 2024-25 Season. Flex buyers save 15% off tickets, receive invitations to the exclusive Concierge Lounge prior to select performances, and enjoy exchange privileges.

Know Before You Go
Tickets range from $10 to $90. Ask about additional opportunities for box seating and special events. Discounts are available for students, children, seniors 65+, groups of 10+, and patrons purchasing tickets to three or more shows.