Rialto 'Crazy Busy' During Best Run In Years

JOLIET, IL — Just a few short years ago, Joliet's Rialto Square Theatre was in shambles. The community braced for what seemed inevitable: life without the Rialto. Built in 1926, the downtown theater's closure seemed imminent.

Then, the Rialto caught its lucky break. VenuWorks was hired to manage Joliet's entertainment hall. VenuWorks named Val Devine as the Rialto's executive director. Since Devine came to Joliet, the Rialto has been on the rebound, enjoying more and more success every quarter.

November and December will mark the busiest stretch of 2019 for the Rialto. There are plenty of high-caliber, world-renowned headliners coming to Joliet over the next nine weeks.

• 27 music concerts, performers and comedians
• 9 wedding receptions have rented the facility
• 3 $5 movie events, all holiday-themed shows for families.

Tonight's Nov. 1 concert, "Stars of the Sixties," is already a near-sellout with more than 1,800 advance ticket sales. Demand to see Theresa Caputo prompted the Rialto to add her for a second night. A combined 3,200 advance tickets have been sold for Caputo.

In between the dates of Caputo's two Rialto shows will be world-famous rapper Nelly.

Legendary drummer Jason Bonham is coming back later this month. Nebraska comedian Larry the Cable Guy has two shows in early December and Yanni also visits next month. Rialto's Home for the Holidays lineup will feature Martina McBride, The Oak Ridge Boys and Ceelo Green, plus several others.

On Thursday, Rialto board President Bob Filotto told Joliet Patch that the Rialto is definitely in the midst of its most successful and busiest stretch of shows in several years.

He attributes the Rialto's resurgence to Devine and VenuWorks, the Iowa-based management company that oversees several Midwest arenas and performing arts venues.

The Rialto's success is also prompting other entrepreneurs to notice. Cheesecakes By James is moving into the recently vacated storefront across the street from the Rialto. Owner James Sankey tells Patch he plans to stay open later on nights of Rialto events and concerts.

"Two-and-a-half years ago, we weren't getting people to even speak with us," Filotto said, referring to several concert and show promoters. "And that has changed dramatically. These next two months, we are going to be crazy busy."

These days,the Rialto is trying to attract a younger and more diverse audience. It seems to be working. With Nelly's show just two weeks away, Filotto remarked, "Nelly is selling well, too, and that's a different demographic, so to speak.

"We remain on a positive, upward trend. We've got a good run going again. There's no question about it."

For the past several years, Joliet's City Council has subsidized the Rialto to help the non-profit stay financially afloat, usually to the tune of $500,000 per year.

Filotto recently informed the city it will be lowering its 2020 request by $25,000 because the Rialto's finances continue to improve. The Rialto has booked a total of nine wedding receptions in November and December, events that stand to generate thousands in extra revenue.

This week, television actors and crews from "Empire" were using the Rialto to film more upcoming TV shows, another major revenue generator for the Rialto.

Here's a rundown of key shows and events set for November and December at the Rialto Square Theatre. A busy Rialto means more night-time visitors to downtown Joliet's bars and restaurants such as MyGrain Brewing Company, Cut 158 Chophouse, Juliet's and Chicago Street Pub.

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Stars of the Sixties: Jay And The Americans, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Dennis Tufano of The Buckinghams, The Cyrkle, and The Vogues.

5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2
Wedding reception, closed to public

7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
Newsboys United, called "one of the most influential bands in Christian music history."

5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9
Wedding reception, closed to public

7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Cat & Nat#MomTruths Live,"Cat and Nat created a massive online community of moms by sharing their ultra-real and just a bit R-rated dispatches from the mom trenches."

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov, 12
Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience, star of the hit TLC show, Long Island Medium.

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14
Nelly: "Diamond Selling, Multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning rap superstar, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actor."

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Theresa Caputo Live: The Experience, second show added due to overwhelming popularity.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Little River Band, with special guest Chicago Farmer, "The late Glenn Frey ... dubbed Little River Band 'the best singing band in the world.'”

5 to 11 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17
wedding reception, closed to public

7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening: "Back by popular demand! Jason Bonham has been around legendary rock music since birth."

10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, grades K-8

Professor Wow's Fun-Believable Science Show: "Part of the Rialto Square Theatre School Matinee Series presented by Midland States Bank."

5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23,
Wedding reception, closed to public

5:30 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. concert, Monday, Nov. 25
A Very Rialto Christmas: Making Merry Music: 105-member Moraine Chorale under direction of Nick Thomas.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26
Rodrigo y Gabriela : A Mettavolution Tour. "Mexican acoustic rock guitar duo are ready to embark on the next chapter of their remarkable story." With special guest Ida Mae.

9:30 a.m. and noon, Friday, Nov. 29
Teddy Bear Tea: "The Rialto Square Theatre holiday tradition continues."

2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
Holiday movie: The Polar Express, all seats $5,

1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1
Chicago Festival Ballet's The Nutcracker

11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3
Holiday Luncheon and Organ Concert

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4
CeeLo Green Holiday Hits Tour, "Five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-producer, CeeLo Green is putting his creative spin on your favorite Christmas songs in the Holiday Hits Tour."

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5
Pure Yanni: Piano & Intimate Conversations, "one of the most celebrated composers and multi-gold and platinum-selling artists of our time."

5 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows, Saturday, Dec. 7
Larry The Cable Guy, "Larry’s road to stardom included the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, which grossed more than $15 million."

2 p.m. and 5 p.m. shows, Sunday, Dec. 8
Joliet American Legion Band Concert

7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9
Michael Londra's Celtic Yuletide, "Irish singer best known as voice of Riverdance on Broadway."

7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

two events, Saturday, Dec. 14
11 a.m., Holiday Movie: Miracle On 34th Street, 1947 version, all seats $5
7 p.m. It's A Wonderful Life: Live Radio Broadcast

6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
A Perfect Holiday Spectacular Mess!

7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16
Vanessa Bell Armstrong and The Tommies Reunion Choir: "7xs Grammy nominated Legendary Gospel singer, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and arguably the greatest gospel choir of all time, The Thompson Community Singers or “TheTommies” as their fans call them.

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas 2019, "Martina McBride is a multiple Grammy -nominated country icon."

5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Wedding reception, closed to public

7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22
The Oak Ridge Boys: Down Home Christmas, "Join fan favorites, The Oak Ridge Boys, as they return to the Rialto Square stage with their latest holiday concert tour."

two events, Monday, Dec. 23
2 p.m. holiday movie: Elf, all seats $5
5 to 11 p.m., Wedding reception, closed to public

5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28
Wedding reception, closed to public
5 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
Wedding reception, closed to public
5 to 11 p.m. New Year's Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31
Wedding reception, closed to public