Audience Reactions:

"Awesome show. Saw it last week and my family is still talking about. Congrats and well done to all that were involved!!" -Gina M.

"Well deserved standing ovation! It was so so good!" - Joseph A. 

"What an extraordinary group of ridiculously talented performers! Wow! Was seriously blown away each show! BRAVO!" -Melissa M. 

"Great show!" -Vicki D. 

"Amazing cast and production! I'm so glad we saw it. You should be very proud." -Christine Lynne

"Loved this show! It was so good, the actors are so talented. We all enjoyed it from begining to end. Good job and thank you so much"- Erika R.

"We loved, loved, loved - "Little Shop of Horrors"! My friends and I are patrons of Summer P!ace Theatre and look forward to their annual productions." - Linda L.

"Absolutely fabulous show! We loved it!!"-Megan K.

"Absolutely fantastic!!!"-Eileen L.

Little Shop of Horrors is a Lou Recommended Show

A Lou recommendation is given to a production when, after the opening night of its run, at least one element of the show was deemed excellent by an opening night judge. By receiving a recommendation, participating theatres are one step closer to receiving a nomination, which will be announced sometime in September 2025.

The Lou Awards, Inc.

Recognizing, promoting and celebrating excellence in community
theatre in the North and Northwest counties of Illinois. 

"Just saw West Side Story with my daughter. Absolutely Amazing. This theatre group is hidden gem and that surprises me. If in doubt, buy tickets and go. I guarantee you will not be disappointed." -Neil H.

“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.
 

"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.

A union strike at a pajama factory generates plenty of steam heat in this toe-tapping, comedic love story.

EVERY SHOW A STANDING OVATION! "I've seen several versions and this is the BEST Sound of Music I've seen." The hills are alive with the sound of music! The perennial favorite Broadway Musical is now a wonderful memory! Learn more about the show, the cast, the production team, and the lovely reviews.

"Katherine Damisch deftly navigates Maria's emotional journey of self discovery. She convincingly wears the many hats required. Vocally, she makes the tough role seem effortless. Matt Whalen as Captain von Trap brought a depth of emotion I had previously not seen in the role. I felt his struggle to stand true to his principles while faced with impossible choices. Sadie Wynne also deserves some special recognition for her "Climb Every Mountain." I was invested in all of her scenes. The large cast put on a memorable version of "The Sound of Music. The show  contains all the fun and nostalgia required and a bit more for those looking to swim in deeper waters."

We went last night and it was wonderful! The voices were superb- "Sue M."

I attended last Saturday evening's performance of The Sound of Music. I truly encourage anyone who would like to see a beautiful story and hear gorgeous music to buy a ticket and go... at least once! I went twice and was so glad I did! it was a joy to watch this wonderful company of actors and to hear the beautiful voices. Now go get your tickets!  It will be one of the highlights of your summer. -Betty H.

"I'm not ordinarily musical theatre fan but their adaptation of the "The Sound of Music" was very entertaining and captivating. We will definitely be going to their future performances." -Don M.

When a pianist, comedian, and musical theatre buff suffers a stroke, he isn't the least surprised when wise-cracking doctors and singing physical therapists dance onto the scene. Summer Place Theatre is thrilled to present The Mighty Ted, a heartwarming musical comedy written by longtime Summer Place board member Ted Waltmire. Ted's stroke turned his life upside down, but it didn't damage his funny bone! We'll perform The Mighty Ted live outdoors ...

Happy Holidays! Summer Place Theatre is celebrating Christmas in July with our second show of the season, A Christmas Carol, a 1940s radio theatre version of the classic Charles Dickens story adapted by Chris Corrigan. We'll perform live outdoors ...

Welcome back to summer, and welcome back to live theatre! The Summer Place is returning to the stage after a year-long hiatus, and we have a whole season of great outdoor performances lined up to celebrate. We are kicking off our season with Summer Lovin’, an original musical revue chock-full of summertime Broadway favorites, performed by a talented cast of Chicago-area singers.

Before the pandemic, Summer Place Theater was busy preparing for our 54^th season. And then the world ended. What to do now? Well, ...

Our 2020 Summer Season is big, momentous, timely, and ... expensive! So we're doing a fundraiser, as only we can do. It’s an original spring musical revue, but with a twist...

We thoroughly enjoyed opening night! Fun show, talented cast, cozy venue and music of ABBA...what's not to love! Don't miss this one friends! -John R. 

Absolutely wonderful!! We so enjoyed ourselves!! -Lisa D. 

The international megahit. 54 million people worldwide have laughed and danced with joy to this unforgettable jukebox musical, and now it’s coming to Naperville’s Community Theatre!

The great songs of ABBA weave together a tale of love, marriage, family and finding where you belong.

On an island off the coast of Guiana, three convicts take a job repairing the home of a nice French family. When the family’s greedy cousins arrive from Europe, the convicts make it their mission to protect the family’s interests, using all the tools in their criminal arsenal. The 1955 movie version of this crime comedy stars Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov, and Aldo Ray.

On the south sea island of Bali Ha'i, two couples fall in love against the backdrop of a dangerous espionage mission that could turn the tide of WWII. A US Navy nurse and a young American lieutenant must each battle their deeply ingrained prejudices in order to find happiness with the one they love. Celebrating its 70th year, this Pulitzer- and Tony-winning classic remains a favorite with songs like “There Is Nothin' Like a Dame” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”

Teenaged Ren leaves his life in Chicago to settle in a farming town with his mom. But the new town has a strict ban on Ren’s favorite pasttime: dancing. Ren has no choice but to rebel.

For a recap and photos from the show, click the Read More button.

To escape gangster Spats Palazzo, Joe and Jerry hitch a ride to Florida disguised as members of a band--a female band.

For a recap and photos, click the Read More button.

It's root, root, root for the home team, and die-hard Chicago Cubs fans are making wagers. Unfortunately, baseball is about all they have in common. Things may get hilarious.

For dates, times and other info, click the Read More button.

All 2018 shows have to do with Illinois since it's our 200th Birthday, and we start the season with a musical revue conceived and directed by our own Cynthia Lauren-Grant.

For dates, times and other info, click the Read More button.

July 28 - August 6 The Cole Porter classic and a favorite of musical theatre enthusiasts everywhere. Anything Goes is a love story, a crime drama, a statement about celebrity and above all one wild comedy ride! Coming to Summer Place Theatre for two weekends to cap our summer season.

July 7-9 This very funny comedy began as a novel by Edward Streeter and became a film starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. Steve Martin and Diane Keaton did a reboot of the story, but we're performing the original in all its nostalgic glory to show how simple weddings once were!

June 16-25 Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee invites audience members to participate in the hallowed middle school tradition of spelling complicated words while trying to suppress thoughts of cute classmates, family drama, and self-doubt. Rated PG-13.

The Music Man is Harold Hill, a con artist who practices his art on the citizens of River City, Iowa, only to fall for skeptical librarian Marian.

This ground-breaking rock opera attempts to get into the heads of famous Bible characters such as Jesus, Judas, and Mary Magdalene at a pivotal moment in Christian history: the last days of Jesus of Nazareth.

Romance, pageantry, and betrayal in King Arthur’s ideal society abound in this classic musical with a glorious, timeless score by Lerner and Loewe. “Don’t let it be forgot that once there was a spot for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot.”

Take Monty Python’s twisted telling of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail, add the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert with self-referential lyics, snappy tunes, and you have the Broadway hit from 2005, which had its world premiere in Chicago.

Don’t let this true and accurate account of the 1599 Zombie Plague scare you off as the Globe Theater survives with this hilarious take on actors vs. zombies all wrapped around the lines and plots of Shakespeare’s famous plays.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

By: Frank Loesser (composer, lyricist), Abe Burrows (Author), Jack Weinstock (author),

Willie Gilbert (author)

August 1-10 2014

July 11-20 2014

By: Dolly Parton (Composer, Lyricist), Patricia Resnick (Author)

An adaptation of the film by Colin Higgings (Screenplay), Patricia Resnick (Screenplay)

By: Heather Hach (author), Laurence O’Keefe (composer, lyricist), Nell Benjamin

(composer, lyricist)

June 28-July 14, 2014

The Desk Set

By: William Marchant

June 13-22, 2014

Oklahoma

By: Richard Rodgers (Composer), Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyricist, Author)

The Man Who Came to Dinner

By: George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

July 7-16 2013

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

By: Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer), Tim Rice (author, lyricist)

July 27-August 5 2012

By: Mary Chase

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

By: Clark Gesner (Author, lyricist, composer)

June 15-24 2012

The Good Doctor

By Neil Simon

June 17-26 2011

Grease

By: Jim Jacobs (author, composer, lyricist) and Warren Casey (author, composer,

lyricist)

July 8-24 2011

Gypsy

By: Arthur Laurents (Author), Jule Style (Composer), Stephen Sondheim (Lyricist)

February 5-13 2011

Sweet Charity

By: Neil Simon (author), Cy Coleman (composer), Dorothy Fields (lyricist)

August 6-15 2010

Cyrano de Bergerac

By: Edmond Rostand

June 18-27 2010

Lend Me a Tenor

By: Ken Ludwig

July 16-26 2010

Godspell

By: Stephen Schwartz (lyricist, composer) John-Michael Tebelak (author, conceived by)

July 10-18 2009

Don’t Dress For Dinner

By: Marc Camoletti (author)

June 19-28 2009

This is a musical review of some of our favorite tunes from the works of Stephen Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz. Come join us as we celebrate the works of two theatrical geniuses! 

Schwartz music you might have heard: Godspell, Pippin, Wicked, Enchanted, and others.
Sondheim music you might know: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and more.

An oddball romantic musical comedy set in Damon Runyons mythical New York City where a gambler is challenged to take a cold female missionary to Havana, but they fall for each other, and the bet has a hidden motive to finance a crap game.

A slapstick comedy about a drama critic who learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are homicidal maniacs, and that insanity runs in his family.

A touching musical tale of young Mary, orphaned in India and sent to live with an eternally grieving uncle and his crippled son in their 1906 Victorian mansion. She bravely brings new life to abhidden, neglected garden and to her new family.

The Summer Place Theatre

Premier Community Theatre in Naperville, IL

Special 40th Anniversary Benefit

"This is the Moment"

April 1, 2006

The Rainmaker
Feb. 12-14 & 19-21
A gentle comedy about a ranch family's test of love
when a con man drifts into their lives promising rain,
but bringing tenderness and affection in a hot, dry season.

by Paul Rudnick

The most famous act of civil disobedience in American History

A play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

Written by: Dale Wasserman

Music by: Mitch Leigh

Lyrics by: Joe Darion

Guys and Dolls

by Frank Loesser (composer, lyricist), Jo Swerling (author), Abe Burrows (author)

Naperville Central High School

July 21 – August 6, 1995

West Side Story

By: Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, based on a concept by: Jerome Robbins

July 23-August 8

Look Homeward Angel

By: Kitty Frings

July 8-18 1993

Naperville Central High School

Peter Pan
Peter Pan - The Musical
by Mark Charlap (composer), Carolyn Leigh (lyricist), Jule Styne (additional music), Betty Comden (additional lyrics), Adolph Green (additional lyrics)
an adaptation of
Peter Pan
by J. M. Barrie (author)

Music and Lyrics by: Roger Miller

Book by: William Hauptman (adapted from the novel by Mark Twain)

Music and Lyrics by: Robert Wright and George Forrest (from themes of A. Borodin)

Book by: Charles Lederer and Luther Davis (Based on the play by Edward Knoblock)

Music by: Stephen Sondheim

Book by: Hugh Wheeler

Suggested by a film by Ingmar Bergman

Originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince

Music: Harvey Schmidt
Words: Tom Jones

Music by: Harvey Schmidt

Words by: Tom Jones

Same Time Next Year

By Bernard Slade

A Musical Comedy
(Based on the novel 7 1/2 Cents" by Richard Bissell)
Music and Lyrics by: Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Book by: George Abbott and Richard Bissell

By: William Inge

SETTING
The action takes place in a small Kansas town in the yard shared by Flo Owens and Helen Potts

A New Comedy with Music

By Neil Simon

By: Jean Kerr

freely adapted by
Crane Johnson
from the novel by Bram Stoker

The Most Happy Fella
Based on Sidney Howard's "They Knew What They Wanted"
Book, Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser

God’s Favorite

By: Neil Simon

Guys and Dolls
A Musical Fable of Broadway
Based on the Story and Characters of Damon Runyan
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows

Music by: Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II

Book by: Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse

Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by: Maria Augusta Trapp

A Musical based on the play "Green Grow the Lillacs"
by Lynn Riggs

As originally produced by The Theatre Guild

Music by: Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II

by Cole Porter (composer, lyricist), Sam Spewack (author), Bella Spewack (author)
 

Music by Jerome Kern

Book and Lyrics  by Oscar Hammerstein II

Enter Laughing
by Joseph Stein (author)
based on
the book
by Carl Reiner (author)

A comedy in Two Acts
by Howard Teichmann and George S. Kaufman

by Brian Way
Presented August 4,5,6 1973

an adult comedy in three acts
by: Neil Simon

by Alan Jay Lerner (author, lyricist), Frederick Loewe (composer)

A Comedy by Abe Burrows

The Miracle Worker

A Play in Three Acts

By: William Gibson

1971

by Kyle Crichton (author)

Summer Place Players Open With Funny Opus

By Robert Barclay
Beacon-News Staff Writer

Summer Place Players Open With Funny Opus

By Robert Barclay
Beacon-News Staff Writer

The Naperville Sun
Thursday, August 15, 1968

by Sam Spewack and  Bella Spewack 

a trivial comedy for serious people
by: Oscar Wilde

Directed by: Donald Jamison