Rising Star Theatreworks presents 42nd Street. Set in
1933, 42nd Street captures the spirit of anyone who has every pursued a
dream. This tap-dancing musical extravaganza is guaranteed to have you
dancing in your seats as young chorus girl, Peggy Sawyer, learns that
talent, hard work, and extraordinary good luck can lead to success and
true love. Musical hits include You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me,
We're In the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo and
Forty-Second Street. 42nd Street will feature a cast of 50+ students
(high school through college age) and will run June 26-28, 2009, at the
historic Arcada Theatre in St. Charles.
Directed by Jeanne O’Donnell,
Music Direction by Joe Blomquist, Vocal Direction by Elizabeth Krahulic.
BUGSY MALONE:
November 2003
Rising Star Theatreworks’ inaugural production of Bugsy Malone featured 35
children, ages 9 through 14, from throughout the Tri-Cities area. This
musical spoof about gangsters (who in the end, found working together was
better than not) was a fun and exciting production to introduce Rising
Star Theatreworks to the community. Directed by Jeanne O’Donnell.
ANNIE:
December 2004
It’s a
“hard knock life” for Little Orphan Annie until she is rescued from the
orphanage and finds a new home with Daddy Warbucks.
The feel good musical adaptation of the comic strip has been capturing
hearts for decades.
Fifty
five cast members, ages 9 through 14, performed to sold-out audiences for
all three shows at the Geneva High School
Auditorium! Directed by Jeanne O’Donnell.
THE MUSIC MAN: Summer 2004
Audiences can’t seem to get enough of this musical romp through Smalltown,
USA in a bygone era. With great songs and dances, fast talking Harold
Hill creates a boys band and finally “gets his foot stuck in the door”
when he falls in love. With a cast of over 70 students, ages 8 through
22, The Music Man was performed at St. Charles North High School
Auditorium in St. Charles, IL
GREASE:
Late Summer 2004
Thirty-five talented high school and college students performed in this
rock ‘n roll musical about friendship, romance, and adventures of a group
of Chicago high school kids in the 1950’s. The Geneva High School
Auditorium
rocked for three weekends under the direction of Verna Esposito.
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:
Summer 2005
Rising
Star opened its second season with one of its most ambitious efforts,
showcasing the talents of more than 50 young adults ages 15 through 22.
The production featured an 11-piece orchestra, a fabulous set, and
costumes specifically designed to help our audience experience the magic
of this classic tale. Directed by Jeanne O’Donnell, the show was
performed for two weekends at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, St.
Charles.
CINDERELLA: Fall 2005
It’s
“Impossible” not to love the musical retelling of perhaps the best-love d
fairytale of all time. Audiences
stepped into the world of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s
Cinderella, wher e a cast of 50 talented students in grades 5 through 9
brought this enchanting fairy tale to life. Performed at the Geneva High
School Theatre and directed by Bonni Ellis.
OLIVER:
Summer 2006
Hailed
the world over as one of the best-loved family musicals of all time,
Oliver! brings to the stage some of Charles Dickens’s most unforgettable
characters along with one of Broadway’s most memorable scores. Hits such
as “Consider Yourself At Home”, “Food, Glorious Food” and “Where Is Love”
surround this heartwarming tale of the young orphan Oliver Twist.
Performed at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, St. Charles, featuring a
cost of over 60 youth ages 8 through 22. Directed by Bonni Ellis.
YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE
BROWN: Winter
2006
The Broadway musical based on Charles Schulz’s comic
strip Peanuts brought “Happiness” to the Geneva High School Auditorium as
it followed a day in the life of Charlie Brown and his friends. A small
cast of six high school and college students delighted audiences of all
ages. Directed
by Jeanne
O’Donnell.
SEUSSICAL-THE MUSICAL:
Summer 2007
program
Characters
from the beloved stories of Dr. Seuss bounce from page to stage in this
colorful and imaginative new musical cleverly sprinkled with bits of
gentle wisdom for audiences of all ages. After all those years of being
stuck on a page, the mischievous Cat in the Hat is lovingly brought to
life with all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters. The score ranging
from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and R&B to funk, got toes tapping and
fingers snapping. Performed at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles,
Seussical is a classic colorful tale that featured a cast of more than 60
talented young high school and college age actors. Directed by Jeanne
O’Donnell.
PAINTIN' THE FENCE:
Summer 2007
program
Produced in conjunction with the St. Charles Park District,
audiences loved this musical adaptation of Mark Twain’s legendary story of
Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn . What better way to spend a warm summer afternoon than
on a blanket on the banks of the Fox River in beautiful Pottawatomie Park
in St. Charles as Tom and Huck ventured down the Mississippi in this classic tale. The
show featured a talented cast of 20 middle school age students.
Directed by Bonnie Ellis.
Winter 2007
One of the greatest family musicals of all times, the Wizard
of Oz, touched down at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles for
three performances. Performed by more than 50 young actors in grades 4
through 9, audiences followed Dorothy and her friends down that famous
Yellow Brick Road!. Directed by Jeanne O’Donnell.
MULAN:
January 2008
program
Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient
China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney’s Mulan. The Huns
have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous
sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Mulan is a heartwarming celebration of
culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The score includes favorites like
“Reflection,” “Honor to Us All” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as well
as new songs that got everyone up on their feet. Approximately 40
students, grades 4 through 9, graced the stage of the historic Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles. Directed by Jen Prise.
IN TO THE WOODS:
Summer 2008
Once again
RST joins forces with St. Charles Park District’s Theatre in the Park to
bring to the Tri-Cities this engaging and
funny
Sondheim musical comedy that twists familiar fairy tales into a brand new
story. Cinderella, Prince Charming, Red
Riding Hood, and Jack with his beanstalk, are just a
few of those characters brought to life by a talented cast of more than 2 0
young actors. Directed by Becky Groth.
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING
TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT:
Summer 2008
Rising Star Theatreworks celebrated its 5th Anniversary with
the ever popular production of “Joseph” at the Blizzard Theatre at Elgin
Community College. A talented cast of over 60 young people performed in
this “amazing” show to sold-out audiences. RST alums were invited back to
round out this fabulous cast. Directed by Jeanne O’Donnell.