KidsMatter “Ignite the Nite” benefit will feature more than 62 musicians and dancers when the spotlight begins to shine on the magical performances of local high schoolers at 7:30PM, Thurs., April 19, in The Wentz Concert Hall.
The array of talents of Naperville’s high school performers will be a great complement to Naperville Idol Gina Glocksen’s performance when KidsMatter presents the concert in cooperation with Naperville’s School of Performing Arts.
Singers, dancer, instrumentalists and even a magician will entertain, representing Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools as well as Benet Academy.
The benefit also will honor KidsMatter founders Mary Ann Bobosky and Marianne Boyajian.
WGN-TV weatherman and Waubonsie Valley graduate Paul Konrad serves as host.
“We’ve been really fortunate to get some great talent across the community,” said director Elic Bramlett. “We have a great mix of dance, musical theatre, instrumental music, vocal music, classical and jazz, singer/songwriters and magic. We are still finalizing casting with more talented teens, but I think folks are in for a great show for a great cause. The kids get to perform in an acoustically nearly-perfect hall with a national talent, and Gina’s pieces will add the perfect tone to this celebration of youth for KidsMatter.”
The Naperville Central Orchesis ensemble will put 27 dancers on the stage in “Starting Something,” and Neuqua Valley students Anna Dvorchak and Hanna Elmgren will offer the duet “In His Eyes” from the school’s upcoming musical “Jekyll & Hyde.”
Metea Valley ‘s nine-voice women’s a capella group The Muses will present “Forget You” while the five- piece instrumental jazz Van Dril Quintet from Naperville North offers their take on “Nigerian Marketplace.” Alexis Hill offers a tap solo to “Mercy,” while Nick Martinez presents a freestyle dance to “Gimme Gimmee.”
Waubonsie Valley’s 16-voice a capella Mosaic Ensemble will offer international flair, while the school’s vocal soloist Josh Blue will present the operatic “Una Furtiva Lagrima”. Singer/songwriters Claudia Dockery and Alec Kapisac will each offer original works. The program will include additional musical theatre offerings from Miggie Snyder and Emma Wichart. A Contemporary Dance solo “Conflicted” will be danced by Danielle Fattore while the School of Performing Arts Dance Ensemble will take the stage with “Rumor Has It.” Magician Blake Grigsby promises to surprise the audience with slight of hand as well.
Tickets for “Ignite the Nite” are available from the North Central College Box Office at (630) 637-SHOW.
Tickets are $15 for students, $35 for general admission and $65 for VIP seating and benefit cocktail reception prior.