Big City Entertainment Options Available Close to Home

While an evening in the city requires money for gas, parking, pricey tickets and an expensive meal, local residents can instead simply drive to the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center in Grayslake.

They can enjoy a children's play, a concert or a comedy act. They save money, time and traffic woes and enjoy big city entertainment options close to home.

Gwethalyn Bonner, executive director of the James Lumber Center, said they provide Lake County residents with "a downtown experience close to home."

"Frankly, in this economy where so many people are worried, many, many may have lost jobs, it is important that we find ways to help [us] feel joy, help us see the beauty that's around us, and that is what the arts do for us," Bonner said.

Bonner said the Professional Touring Season at CLC. Fall and winter performances will include Cocktails with Larry Miller, Haunted Illusions with David Caserta, a Veteran's Day program called In the Mood featuring music from the 1940's, Leahy Family Christmas, and the Civic Ballet of Chicago performing The Nutcracker.

CLC is proud to be part of actor, comedian, and author Larry Miller's return to the stage.

"[Larry Miller] has performed in everything!" Bonner said. "He's got one of those recognizable comedy faces. Jerry Seinfeld talks about him being one of the funniest people ever."

Larry Miller will perform on October 17 at 7 pm in the Mainstage Theatre.

"I do try to seek out events that will help us perhaps learn something about a different culture," said Bonner. One example of this are the Golden Dragon Acrobats who hail from Hebei, China and will be visiting the Performing Arts Center in February to wow audiences with their unbelievable feats.

The Theatre Department performs its own variety of performances. Thomas Mitchell, technical director at CLC explained that the department plans to produce one classic, one musical, one drama, one comedy and one children's play a year. He recently directed Stuart Little, based on the children's book of the same title by E.B. White. "We try to hit all the different genres," he said.

Something new for the theatre department is Play On! which will take place in the spring. "We're doing a student showcase where students take 1-act plays and direct and produce them," Mitchell said. The students will have the full support of the theatre department, who will help supervise the theatrical ventures.

"My favorite thing is the diversity of the students," Mitchell said.

He explained that CLC is home to a variety of both young and older students, allowing the directors to cast age-appropriately. Students are not the only ones welcome to participate in college productions.

"We hold open auditions from the community or students at the college," Mitchell said. "We don't limit that."

People come from as far away as Schaumberg, Crystal Lake, Lake Forest and even lower Wisconsin to be in the plays.

"They do things really big," said Alexandria Otter, 15, who is played Margalo in CLC's Stuart Little. "There's no little to it. They go all the way." Stuart Little is Otter's 16^th show in her life, her third at CLC.

Second City will be visiting the Mainstage Theater this fall. Craig Rich will direct the famous play, The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams in November, and Rebekah Skallet will direct the age-old story of Orestes by Euripides in March of 2011. CLC's theater department also presents one musical every summer. Oliver! was a hit on the West End and on Broadway and runs in July.

For art lovers, the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art will feature Recent Works, a gallery displaying the work of Lake County residents. The exhibit runs through November 7.

CLC's Music Department will feature a variety of events in the James Lumber Center as well, including CLC Jazz Night on Oct. 8, Fall Choral Concert on Oct. 24 and the CLC Wind Ensemble on Oct. 31.  

Among other performances are the Prairie Spirits Dance Troupe Holiday Dance Concert running in December. The 13th Annual Fear No Art, a showcase for students, faculty, and community members highlighting all branches of the arts, will run in Spring 2011.

The Performing Arts Building is impressive, containing three theatres. The 125-seat Harrnish Experimental Theatre, the 250-seat Studio Theatre, and the 600-seat Mainstage Theatre are all used to bring to Lake County some of the finest performing arts events in the area.

For ticket information, please call the James Lumber box office at (847) 543-2300 or buy online at http://jlcenter.clcillinois.edu/tickets.asp.

There are many options for school groups as well. For information about group sales, call (847) 543-2431.