The calendar listing features fine and performing arts events staged in October on a variety of venues at North Central College, including Wentz Concert Hall located in the North Central College Performing Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Avenue, just steps from downtown Naperville.
Oct. 2-6 Theatre: North Central College Department of Theatre presents “Orlando” by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Jeremy Ohringer at the Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Based on the Virginia Woolf novel, “Orlando” tells the story of a young nobleman who is drawn into a love affair with Queen Elizabeth I. As he strives to make his way as a poet and lover, his travels keep him at the heart of a dazzling tale where gender and gender preferences shift regularly, usually with hilarious results. Performances run at 7:30PM Wed., Thurs. and Fri., Oct. 2, 4, and 5; and 2PM Sat., Oct. 5 and Sun. Oct. 6. Tickets are $12; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Oct. 3 Music: North Central College Department of Music presents An Evening of Jazz – Jazz Faculty Recital “20th Century Songbook: A Vocal & Piano Duo” at 7:30PM Thurs., Oct. 3, in Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Join Abigail Riccards, North Central’s distinguished jazz vocal instructor, and Chris White, our talented jazz pianist, for an evening titled “20th Century Songbook: A Vocal & Piano Duo.” This duo performance will feature a selection of popular music from the 20th century, highlighting songs that were made famous by some of the most iconic jazz singers of the era. From timeless standards to beloved contemporary tunes, Riccards and White will take you on a musical journey through the golden age of jazz, celebrating the voices and melodies that have defined the genre. Enjoy a night of rich, evocative performances that pay tribute to the legends of vocal jazz. Tickets are $15; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Oct. 11-13 Theatre: North Central College Department of Theatre presents its Fall Dance Production at Heininger Auditorium, 309 E. School St. An original production devised by students under faculty direction, the Dance Production combines character, story, and movement. From the co-creator of past collaborations of “Fusion” and “Connections,” this production explores themes from the whimsical and witty to the nature of genuine human interconnection. Performances run 7:30PM Fri., Oct. 11, and Sun., Oct. 13; and 2PM Sun., Oct. 13 at 2PM. Tickets are $12; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Oct. 13 Music: North Central College welcomes the DuPage Symphony Orchestra “Bold Beginnings” at 3PM Sun., Oct. 13, in the Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Join us for a bold start to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra’s 71st season, with Alexander Borodin’s joyfully melodious “Overture to Prince Igor,” as well as his captivatingly dramatic “Symphony No. 2 in b minor,” for which the composer provided hints of an underlying program. Alexander Glazunov’s stirring tone poem, “Stenka Razin” – one of the few pieces he wrote on a nationalistic subject – plus the world premiere of an award-winning composition by high-school composer Angel Alday, “The True Awakening to Greatness,” round out this inspiring concert. Tickets are $10-$43; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Oct. 18 Music: North Central College Department of Music presents the Homecoming Kickoff Concert at 8PM Fri., Oct. 18, in the Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. The annual Music Department Homecoming Kickoff Concert features multiple choral and instrumental ensembles in their opening event of the season. Join us as we kick off Homecoming weekend and our concert season. The North Central College Big Band will conduct a pre-concert performance in the Wentz Concert Hall lobby beginning at 7:15PM. The event is free, but a ticket is required for admission; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Oct. 25 Music: North Central College Department of Music presents the Faculty Piano Duo Recital at 7:30PM Fri., Oct. 25, in the Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave. North Central’s new piano faculty member, Jun-Hee Han, will present piano four-hand works by Mozart, Debussy, Barber, and Ravel, joined by his wife, Hye-Jin Cho. Tickets are $7; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Oct. 31-Nov. 3 Theatre: North Central College Department of Theatre presents “Broadway by the Decade” in co-production with Porchlight Music Theatre and directed by Lorenzo Rush Jr. at Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave. In this popular revue by Porchlight Music Theatre, a journey of iconic songs moves through Broadway’s musical theatre history. Featuring the city’s emerging talents from North Central College, this production brings a contemporary take to the appreciation of beloved classics. Performances run at 7:30PM Thurs., Oct. 31, Fri., Nov. 1 and Sat., Nov. 2; and 2PM Sat., Nov. 2 and Sun., Nov. 3. Tickets are $12; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
Thanks for supporting the arts! Think dinner and the show…
North Central College’s 2024-2025 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially supported by the following sponsors and partners: Nicor Gas; and Dommermuth, Cobine, West, Gensler, Philipchuck and Corrigan, Ltd.
These upcoming events are among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues that accommodate a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public.
For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).
For a listing of downtown Naperville eateries, click here.
Looking forward to North Central College Fine & Performing Arts
North Central College Fine & Performing Arts is proud to announce its 2024-2025 Season. Featuring events for all ages, this season includes concerts and productions by the North Central College Department of Music and Department of Theatre. This year’s season includes a partnership production with Chicago’s Porchlight Music Theatre, a gender-bending adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando” by playwright Sarah Ruhl, and the one-of-a-kind Chords for Kids concert for children with special needs and their families.
Tickets for performances are on sale now. To purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or stop by the Box Office located in the Fine Arts Center & Wentz Concert Hall at 171 E. Chicago Ave.
Performance information is subject to change. Visit northcentralcollege.edu/show throughout the season to purchase tickets and check for updates.
North Central College Theater
North Central College Theater
- Oct. 2, 4, 5, 6: “Orlando” by Sarah Ruhl
- Oct. 11, 13: Fall Dance Production
- Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2, 3: “Broadway by the Decade”, A Co-Production with Porchlight Music Theatre
- Nov. 21, 22, 23, 24: “Heathers: The Musical”, Book, Music, & Lyrics by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe
- Feb. 13, 14, 15, 16: “The 39 Steps”, Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan
- March 27, 28, 29, 30: Guest Directed Spring Musical – TBA
- April 24, 25, 26, 27: “The Serpent Lady” by Carlo Gozzi, Translated by Daniel Smith and Valentina Denzel
North Central College Music
- Oct. 3: An Evening of Jazz – Jazz Faculty Recital
- Oct. 18: Homecoming Kickoff Concert
- Oct. 25: Faculty Piano Duo Recital
- Nov. 7: An Evening of Jazz – Jazz Faculty Recital
- Nov. 8: North Central College Sonata – Sonatina Festival Recital
- Nov. 15: Explore the Sound
- Nov. 18: Jazz Big Band Fall Concert
- Nov. 20: Wind and Percussion Studio Fall Recital
- Nov. 22: North Central College Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert
- Dec. 3: Concert Winds Winter Concert
- Dec. 4: Jazz Combo Winter Concert
- Dec. 8: Vocal Jazz & Latin Jazz Ensembles Winter Concert
- Feb. 8: Department of Music Honors Recital
- Feb. 9: Faculty Chamber Recital
- Feb. 19: Winter Choral Festival
- Feb. 20: Jazz Big Band Winter Concert
- Feb. 26: Across the Curriculum Faculty Recital
- Feb. 28: An Evening of Jazz – Faculty Recital
- March 1: Chords for Kids
- March 27: An Evening of Jazz – Faculty Recital
- April 4: Spring Choral “Finale!” Concert
- April 9: Concert Winds Spring Concert
- April 10: Jazz Big Band Spring Concert
- April 16: Wind and Percussion Studio Spring Recital
- April 19: Chamber Music Recital
- April 19: North Central College Opera Workshop Showcase
- April 20: Vocal Jazz & Latin Jazz Ensembles Spring Concert
- April 21: Jazz Combo Spring Concert
- April 23: North Central College Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert
