Broadway is just around the block

The Huntley Park District is bringing more theatre productions to Huntley. Rikki Lee Travolta, who founded the “Its Showtime Theatre of Huntley” is working in cooperation with the Huntley Park District and has put together a production using the talent of the community.

Deborah Swinford, one of the catalysts to utilize the Cosman Theatre to bring more quality productions to Huntley, said, “I am helping with the fund-raising, creative concept and theatre group itself.”

Travolta said, “We have gotten such great support from the community. We are putting together treasures to be auctioned at our first production to support further shows here in Huntley. We are the Park District. And we want to invite Del Webb residents to our productions. When you think of Huntley, you think of Sun City. We would love to partner with them and bring their talents to our show as well as offer them quality shows. I want Huntley to be the visitor spot for great theatre.”

“’Its Showtime Theatre of Huntley’ will be presenting Ticket To Broadway on August 24 and 25. The show is directed by Aaron Gomez with music direction by James Gritschke,” said Travolta.

Travolta continues, “James and Aaron mold their vision using both classics and new musicals to put on this performance. There are songs from Fiddler on the Roof, Bye-Bye Birdie, Mildred, Wicked, Sound of Music, Newsies, Waitress, Rent, Pippin, Book of Mormon, Hamilton, and more.”

Travolta is not a novice to the theatre world.

“I got my start in the Christmas Carol playing the part of Tiny Tim in a CBS production in Portland, Oregon,” he said. “At age 6 I wrote and produced my first play. It was the story of Rumpelstiltskin. Unfortunately, the student who played the lead got sick. I stepped in to play the role. So, I wrote, produced, directed, and starred in my first play. It gets better. The principal sat in the classroom and loved the play so much he scheduled an all-school assembly to see it. At that show, a member of the school board saw it and commissioned the show for all the schools in the district. So, they put us on a bus and that was my first traveling production.”

Cast member Janaan Rose rehearsing. (Photos by Tony Pratt/Sun Day)

Director Gomez said, “It’s always difficult doing a summer show. There are a lot of last minute travel plans or activities that hinder the rehearsals.”

Gomez also has a vast experience in the theatre, starting with his first performance in 4th grade.

“I have 20 years’ experience on stage,” he said. “This musical production has group numbers, solos, duets and trios. We have a wide diversity of performers who auditioned with their own selection of song. The cast consists of performers who are in the age range of 5-years-old to seniors.”

The entertainment each night will be complemented by a silent auction and raffle for treasures including autographed sports memorabilia from the Cubs, White Sox, and Blackhawks; tickets to local professional theaters Marriott Theatre, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and Raue Center for the Arts; vouchers for local favorite restaurants; health and beauty packages; and autographed celebrity photos from Oscar-nominated actor John Travolta, Tony-winning composer Stephen Sondheim, Emmy-nominated actor Johnny Galecki, Academy Award-winning actor and director Robert Redford, and two time Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman to name just a few.

Tickets are just $15 and are available for cash or check at the door. Performances take place at the Cosman Theater located in the Huntley Park District at 12015 Mill Street in Huntley

Community theatre not only enriches the lives of those who are part of the production but also those in the community who benefit from live theatre productions. On either side of the stage, you will find a representation of a range of age, culture, life experience, and a love of the arts.

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