Summer Place Theatre’s 2022 Season is Alive with the Sound of Music
Unique special events will ramp up to the July performances
Naperville’s community theatre is a little older than sixteen going on seventeen (more like fifty-six!), but that isn’t stopping Summer Place from trying new things. Their 2022 season lineup has only one title in it, and that’s Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical The Sound of Music. So how can one show fill up a whole summer season?
Some folks know Summer Place as the theatre company that puts on two musicals and a play every summer at Naperville Central High School. In actuality, that hasn’t been true for a couple years—the Naperville Central auditorium was closed for renovations in 2019, we all went virtual for 2020, and the 2021 season took place outdoors. For their first year back home, Summer Place is doing it up big: one all-time-favorite show for three weekends, plus all kinds of brand new special events to whet your whistle before showtime. With a mix of free and members-only events all spring, all over Naperville, there’s something for everyone.
In March, the Sound of Music production team hosted two audition workshops for all those actors, singers, and dancers who wanted to dust off their resumes. Attendees practiced learning a short dance routine, got pointers on choosing an audition song, and paired up with other actors to test some new cold reading strategies. Those who missed the workshop, worry not: there are plenty more chances to join in the festivities!
On April 12 at 7pm, Summer Place will present a special cultural event hosted by North Central College called “Author Talk: The Times Surrounding The Sound of Music.” Summer Place president Don Gingold will interview authors Jennifer Coburn (Cradles of the Reich) and Mari Eder (The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line) about the experiences of WWII-era women and children. This free event at North Central College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall will be filmed by NCTV.
Then head to Nichols Library on May 17 for a free “Ted” talk about the famous musical duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, given by Summer Place board member Ted Waltmire in partnership with Naperville Public Library. Ted's a former librarian and quite the musical scholar. He'll share stories chronicled in numerous books on the subject of how the show was created, and how the movie derived from the show, plus a lot more.
And finally, on June 14, Summer Place will host a members-only screening of the 1965 film The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer - WITH CAPTIONS. The singalong—yes, official permission to belt the songs and recite the lines—will take place at Hollywood Palms in Naperville beginning with a red carpet reception of our cast, and a cocktail hour starting at 6pm.
Of course, all these exciting events will culminate in Summer Place Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, July 15 through July 31. Starring your friends and neighbors, the show will be performed live at the Naperville Central High School auditorium for three weekends. Tickets can be purchased here. If just seeing the show isn’t enough, actors of all ages and abilities are invited to audition for the cast on April 24 or 25. Audition information can be found on the Audition page.
How do you get in on all this fun? In lieu of season tickets, Summer Place is offering a $35 VIP membership for 2022. Members receive a ticket for the July production (any one of the performances), reserved VIP seating and other perks at the two free talks, and an invitation to the Sound of Music singalong! Become a member right now! It's as easy as Do-Re-Mi.
We can’t wait to share these exciting events with the Naperville area. It's all about art, music, learning, service, and community. For Summer Place, "These are a few of our favorite things!"