Elmhurst's Bethel Church Puts On Their Sunday Clothes for Concert

Bethel United Church of Christ is presenting “Put On Your Sunday Clothes – A Salute to Broadway” on Sunday, October 18 at 3:00 p.m. as part of the church’s Music@Bethel Concert Series. The concert kicks off the 17th season of outstanding musical performances with five fabulously talented Chicago-area musical theater stars singing Broadway’s best-loved songs, including selections from Hello, Dolly!, Carousel, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Wicked, Les Misérables, Into the Woods and more. Since 1999, the intimate and acoustically pleasing sanctuary of Bethel has hosted some of the world’s most accomplished singers and musicians from Chicago and beyond. This Sunday afternoon concert is sure to enchant and enthrall audience members of all ages.

The talented roster of singers includes mezzo-soprano Brianna Borger, soprano Felicia Filip Burkovskiy, mezzo-soprano Lara Filip, baritenor Trent Oldham and baritone James Rank. The five performers are all veterans of Chicago’s musical theater and operetta scenes, appearing regularly in leading and supporting roles at Drury Lane Oak Brook, Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, Paramount Arts Center, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Chicago Folks Operetta, Light Opera Works and more.

All musical selections—which include duets and ensemble numbers—will be accompanied by world-class, award-winning pianist Jeffrey Panko, who is Bethel’s minister of music and has been artistic director of the Music@Bethel Concert Series since its inception.

Executive director of the concert series and professional pianist Roberta Fox is no stranger to Broadway repertoire. “Playing my favorite Broadway songs on the piano is an instant pick-me-up for me—and has been a source of joy since childhood. My parents bought me The Best of Broadway songbook in the fifth grade. Whenever they left for a dinner party, into the piano bench went Czerny and Hanon…and out came my Broadway book. I played way past bedtime so much so that my siblings often tattled on me,” said Fox.

Bethel United Church of Christ is located at 315 East St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Tickets are available online through www.musicatbethel.com or by calling 630-279-4040. Ticket prices are adults $20, seniors $18 and students $5. A family pass is available at $45 for 2 adults and up to 5 children. Parking is free; enter through Sandburg Middle School from St. Charles Road, or from Huntington off Poplar Street. The church is handicapped-accessible.