Changing views on cultural participation continue to evolve as the pandemic persists in everyday life. Overall, there is an increased willingness to attend events as arts lovers are eager to “get back to normal.” Event proximity plays a role in engagement as people lose their desire to travel. Many are theorizing that the work-from-home trend contributes significantly to the rising intention of attending more local activities in the current landscape.
Perhaps that’s why the recent announcement from North Central College Fine & Performing Arts (NCCF&PA) was well received. Hailed as a cornerstone entity in the fine and performing arts community, NCCF&PA released its 2022 – 2023 schedule and cast optimism into the hearts of its recipients.
Perennial favorite Jim Peterik kicks off the season in September with his World Stage, an assembled house band comprising top musicians from across the country. Held in Pfeiffer Hall, a grand venue with a large proscenium stage, audience members can prepare themselves for an evening of nuanced adaptations of familiar songs.
In December, NCCF&PA presents its highly anticipated Home for the Holidays series featuring three festive performances. First up is legendary singer Darlene Love followed by the all-female brass ensemble tenThing, and concluding with John Denver tribute artist, Ted Vigil.
Other season highlights include the Chicago Sinfonietta and its annual MLK Tribute Concert, a beloved yearly tradition. The performance takes place in Wentz Concert Hall, a venue deemed “the premier destination in Chicago’s western suburbs” for its state-of-the-art acoustics.
Brian Lynch, former director of fine and performing arts at NCC, returns to Madden Theatre for “The Road to Les Miz,” a cabaret performance that reprises many of the roles he played in his musical theater career. Some may remember that, during his tenure at NCC, Brian led the effort to build the Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center and Meiley-Swallow Hall. Now concert-goers will get to see him perform on a stage he helped to create.
Programming runs from September 2022 through May 2023 and includes an eclectic mix of rock, R&B, folk, and children’s theater. A full listing of events, subscription options, and ticketing information can be found on the website at finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.
North Central College
Box Office
171 E. Chicago Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540
630.637.7469
