33.8 F
Naperville
Monday, March 18, 2024

Illinois’ 200th birthday party will feature star-studded lineup on Dec. 3, 2018, at United Center

-

Above / Bicentennial reveals star-studded lineup for state’s 200th birthday party at United Center. The night features original Gettysburg performance starring Hamilton Chicago’s Miguel Cervantes, parade of sports champions, members of the Chicago Symphony, REO Speedwagon as well as other Illinois bands and celebrities. Purchase tickets ($75 and $50) through Ticketmaster and at the United Center Box Office. For information, visit www.illinois200.com.

Alert! This event has been moved to Navy Pier. Other details remain pretty much the same.


CHICAGO — An original musical rendition of the Gettysburg Address with Miguel Cervantes will be featured in a night of tributes to Illinois entertainers, with performances by Illinois’ top musicians, a Chicago sports championship parade, and a star-studded cast of Illinois celebrities lined up for the state’s Bicentennial Birthday Party at the United Center Dec. 3.

Details for the event were revealed today at a press briefing hosted by Second City and “Saturday Night Live” alum Tim Kazurinsky from the Museum of Broadcast Communications, whose interactive “Saturday Night Live” exhibit served as a fitting backdrop.

- Advertisement -

“It’s amazing how many people from Illinois have contributed so momentously to history, theater, film, art, entertainment, science, sports and politics,” Kazurinsky said. “There are way too many to put on flashcards, but if people come to the show, they’ll see just how entertaining and impactful Illinoisans have been.” 

Born, Built & Grown in Illinois

The program for the 200th Birthday Party features six acts that highlight the people, places, events and innovations that were Born, Built and Grown in Illinois.

Musical Rendition of Gettysburg Address / REO Speedwagon

Abraham Lincoln is linked to Naperville, too, with memories that he served in the State Legislature at the same time as Joe Naper. A Century Walk sculpture titled “Laughing Lincoln,” depicting Honest Abe at age 30, will be dedicated in Central Park on Dec. 2, 2018, the day before the bicentennial anniversary. Stay tuned! The Naperville Municipal Band will perform a free concert that day, too! Did you know? The NMB has been around since 1859!

Among the most anticipated acts is a tribute to the state’s greatest citizen, Abraham Lincoln, that includes a special musical rendition of the Gettysburg Address starring Miguel Cervantes, who plays Alexander Hamilton in Chicago. Broadway In Chicago along with Musical Director Michael Keefe and Broadway In Bronzeville have created this musical adaptation that will be performed along with Broadway In Chicago’s Illinois High School Musical Award-winning students from across the state. 

“We are excited to be part of this celebration,” said Lou Raizin, president of Broadway In Chicago. “It is an honor to present a dramatic musical adaptation of this historic speech performed by Miguel, Chicago’s own Hamilton, and our amazing young talent.”   

REO Speedwagon, recently voted Illinois’ top musical group in a recent statewide Bicentennial survey, will rock the United Center as part of the tribute to Illinois entertainment. REO’s Kevin Cronin addressed reporters remotely while on tour to express the band’s excitement.

“We’ve been thrilled to fly the flag as proud Midwesterners and Illinoisans throughout our careers and we are honored to come and celebrate our home state’s 200th birthday,” he said. “Hey Illinois … get ready to party.”

Illinois Legends & Olympic Champs

For the sports segment of the show, the United Center will be transformed into a parade of Olympic Champions, championship team owners, legends, trophies and celebrity fans who will recreate celebrations of Illinois’ greatest sports moments. The Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox will be well represented.

The Rockford Peaches also will be recognized on the 75th anniversary of their first All-American Girls Professional Baseball League championship.

Legendary Blackhawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison will do the honors to open the party.  

Previously confirmed to participate are members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Styx, Blues legend Buddy Guy, Olympic champion Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Bill Kurtis and Joe Mantegna.

Bicentennial Office Executive Director Stuart Layne noted there will be other celebrities added to the program and many surprises in store for the evening.

“If you think about the big names associated with Illinois history, entertainment and sports, we’re inviting them all,” Layne said. 

Program in Six Acts

Opening- Bill Kurtis intro, National Guard Color Guard, Jim Cornelison to sing national anthem

Act 1- Born Built and Grown-Why we are celebrating

Highlight the people, places, events, and innovations that make us Illinois Proud

Act 2- Veterans

    Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra play piece from the movie “Lincoln” (John Williams’ composition)

              Joe Mantegna narrates Illinois Veterans video

              Recognize Bicentennial HONOR 200 veterans

              CSO plays Armed Forces Medley

Act 3- Illinois entertainment

              Video of iconic Illinois movies, theater, shows, actors

               Illinois Rock bands perform (Styx, REO, other collaborators)

Act 4- Sports

               Jackie Joyner-Kersee, 

               Video- History of NFL/Bears 

               Championship Parade:  Owners, players, trophies and celebrity fans from:

               Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Rockford Peaches, Olympic champions

Act 5- History/Culture

              Lincoln video 

     Gettysburg Address Rap – “All People are Created Equal” – Miguel Cervantes (Hamilton, Chicago) with 24    

     Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awardees     

Act 6- History of Chicago Blues               

    Video chronicling migration of jazz and blues from Louisiana to East St. Louis and Chicago

              King of Chicago Blues Buddy Guy, his band performs finale

Ensemble of guests sing “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Happy Birthday,” celebratory birthday cake from Eli’s Cheesecake                 

Tickets are $75 and $50 and are on sale through Ticketmaster and at the United Center box office.

For information, visit www.illinois200.com.

Official Hotel for Bicentennial Birthday Party

The Sheraton Grand Hotel is the Official Hotel of the Bicentennial Birthday Party.  For event discount:  https://book.passkey.com/gt/217155572?gtid=640413d02234f1b2eb6cba0769bcf817.

Celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial 

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the union. The Illinois Bicentennial has been a yearlong celebration of what has been BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the state and a reminder of why we are #IllinoisProud. 

For more information about the Illinois Bicentennial celebration visit www.illinois200.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by using the hash tag #IllinoisProud.

Story submitted by the Office of the Illinois Governor.

RELATED PN POSTS / Illinois Bicentennial

Editor’s Note / Also save Sun., Dec. 2, 2018, for the dedication at 2PM in Central Park of the Century Walk sculpture “Laughing Lincoln.” Organizers are pleased the artwork is making it in under the wire of the Illinois Bicentennial year.

First up, however, will be the Naperville Municipal Band Concert at 12:45PM in the Wentz Concert Hall. After the one-hour free holiday concert, attendees and more are welcome to venture over to Central Park for the dedication at 2PM.

Then it’s back to the North Central College Fine Arts Center for the Bicentennial Birthday Bash and fundraising festivities for Century Walk. Admission is $200 per couple.

Check out details of the festivities that will follow the dedication of Laughing Lincoln.

 

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
- Advertisement -
PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

LATEST NEWS

DON’T MISS OUT!
GET THE DAILY
SQUARE-SCOOP
The latest local headlines delivered
to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime.
close-link

Stay Connected!

Get the latest local headlines delivered to your inbox each morning.
SUBSCRIBE
close-link