Summer Place Theatre, Naperville Theater Musicals and Plays
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Professional theatre quality, community theatre prices!

 

 


Upcoming Shows

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors

June 20-June 29 2025

 

A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

Book and Lyrics by: Howard Ashman
Music by: Alan Menken

 

Legally Blonde: The Musical

Legally Blonde: The Musical

COMING JULY 2025


Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by pink storm in this fun, upbeat story of self-discovery.

July 25-August 3 2025

Book by: Heather Hach
Music and Lyrics by: Laurence O'Keefe, Nell Benjamin

Directed by: Taylor Weisz

Producer and Associate Director: Mike Frale

 

Recent Shows

West Side Story

West Side Story

July 19-August 4 2024

Show times: Fridays and Saturdays: 7:30 pm Sundays: 2pm. The show runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission

Our shows are in the auditorium at Naperville Central High School, 440 Aurora Ave, Naperville, IL 60540. The auditorium is on the west side of campus, bordered by Aurora Avenue, West Street, and Hillside Road. Our banner is over the door. Door 24. The doors are numbered. ONLY door 24 is available for entering the theatre.

Book by: Arthur Laurents
Music by: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
Based on a Concept of Jerome Robbins
Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Orignally Produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince
By Arrangement with Roger L. Stevens

Directed and Scenic Designed by: Mike Frale, Music Directed by: Kitty Karn, Choreographed by: Maddie Shelton, Fight Choreography by: Andrew Trygstad, Stage Manager: Bre Sakalis, Sound Design: Bill Ryden, Produced by: Nicole Grueneberg and Matt Whalen

 

All Shook Up

All Shook Up

 

“We saw it Saturday afternoon and it was FANTASTIC! Super talented Cast and Orchestra!!” - Guy G.

“This theatre group is fantastic....The talent was superb....I recommend this funny, sweet, and creative play to everyone.” - Kathe L.

“Such a fun afternoon of theatre! So many talented voices.” - Christina P.

“Everyone make sure you get out and see this fantastic show! Great CAST! Great crew! Great orchestra! Great music and storyline! Be sure not to miss it!” - Laura M.

“I saw this today and it was excellent. The talent was amazing.” - Jennie G.

“We super enjoyed this cute production! Everyone did a fantastic job! Great performance by all! THANK YOU!” - Te S.

“It was Absolutely Wonderful!!! Such great talent…..the voices were stellar! Every single character was perfectly cast….BRAVO.” - Laurie E.

“Our first time to see a Summer Place Theatre show last night. It was EXCELLENT! Thanks for such a fun evening out - with excellent local talent! We are so fortunate to have access to this high level of talent from our area. We will definitely be back.” - Joan D.

“WHAT A FUN SHOW!!! It’s a must-see whether you know someone in the cast/crew or not! Very affordable, plenty of available performances (right now), very entertaining! Get a ticket or two now.” - Anna A.
 

Newsies

Newsies

"DON'T MISS THIS SHOW...Best Summer Place show ever" - Arlene H. 

"Positively fantastic! Everyone on the stage commanded their role. Job well done!" -Tarisse T.

"A phenomenal cast. It's a must see"- Yvette H.

"This is a great cast, did a fatastic job." -Connie H. 

"Absolutely Awesome!!! A must see performance. Singing, Dancing, the acting, the live music OOO la la" -Paula S.

"It was a WOW. Amazing cast and production. Love love love it. Blown away by the talent -Lutong B.

"amazing show. I can't wait to see it again and again!" -Tracy B.

"Bravo! Amazing performances and wonderful opening! So many shining stars on that stage. Fabulous harmonies and dancing" -Holly L.

"It was an amazing show! Such talent! Everyone we went with loved it." -Libby H.

"Incredible show last night!" -Melissa C.

"Spectacular" - Gloria H.

"I was blown away! Incredible! So much talent! -Amy K.

"The cast was fabulous, and the show probably had some of the best athletic dancing I've seen in a local production." Keith K.

"What an amazing show!!! Do yourselves a favor and see Newsies!!!" -Brian L.

See All Our Past Shows

 

Welcome!

We welcome you to look around our website to learn more about us.

As our name implies, we perform shows in the Summer. We've been doing so since 1966; have a look. You can look up the shows and more importantly, the people who brought them to you: the cast and production crew. Did you participate in one of them, or know someone who did? Feel free to send us any photos or playbills! We are trying to complete our archives. Feel free to email us at info@summerplacetheatre.org if you have something to share. 

After summer, there's one more fun event for the year: Ghost Stories ... In the Park ... In the Dark, a fun and spooky evening for kids of all ages put on in cooperation with the Naperville Park District.

To keep you in the know, we have a News page on our website and a newsletter as well so the news can come to you. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see our Newsletter Signup. We promise not to bombard you with email and we certainly won't give your email address to anyone else.

It takes a lot of talented people and a lot of work to put on these shows. If you have a knack for acting, singing, painting, building, makeup, costumes, sales, design - we said it takes a lot! - and you have a love for theatre, then we want you in our Community. Get Involved wherever you'd like. We'd love to have you work with us.

Over 50 Years! Can you believe it?

Donald Doc Shanower

 

It Started With Doc

Dr. Donald "Doc" Shanower, professor emeritus at North Central College, formed this little group in 1966 to keep the drama students acting through the summer. Don was born on December 15, 1921 in Canton, Ohio. He spent three and a half years in the U.S. Army Infantry with the 75th Division in the European Theater, was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded a Purple Heart and other service medals. He then returned to Kent State to complete his undergraduate degree and his M.A. Following a four-year stint at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, Don accepted a position in the Speech and Theater Department at North Central College in 1955. While an assistant professor there, he earned his PhD from the University of Michigan in 1959 and was known to students as "Doc" for the remainder of his 31 years at NCC. After treading the boards in college, in the leading roles in "Othello”  and “Macbeth", he found his true calling as a director of both classical and contemporary plays and musicals. He introduced students to plays from Aristophanes to Miller and beyond. Away from the stage, he taught Public Speaking, Acting, and History of the Theater. At the beckoning of NCC students and with college and community support, "Doc" founded the Summer Place in 1966.  He was awarded the Clarence F. Dissinger Memorial Award for distinguished teaching and extraordinary service to North Central in 1981. It wasn't that long ago when we played at North Central College outside under a tin roof. But we've come a long way and we're determined to keep the tradition alive. Over numerous years, the group took on a life of its own, but Doc continued to be there, coming to most of our shows. Doc passed away in September 2015 just before he could celebrate our Golden Anniversary with us. We miss you, Doc and thank you for giving us our start!

 

 

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