Community Corner
First St. Charles Summer Theater Festival set for July 14-31
The festival will offer plays, hands-on activities and arts-based events throughout the city.
The first-ever St. Charles Summer Theater Festival planned for July 14-31 will feature a variety of plays, hands-on activities and arts-based events at several locations within the city.
The festival, founded by Fox Valley Repertory, will include various stage plays, films, concerts and other events. The four main performance venues include Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run Resort, Steel Beam Theatre, Arcada Theatre and the Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center.
Highlights will include plays such as the comedy Around the World in 80 Days and the drama At Home at the Zoo, along with a Charlie Chaplin film festival.
Events also are being planned by the St. Charles Singers, Fox Valley Concert Band, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, and St. Charles Park District with support from the City of St. Charles, the St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of St. Charles Visitors Cultural Commission, St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, St. Charles Arts Council and the St. Charles Downtown Partnership.
John Gawlik, artistic director for the Fox Valley Repertory theater company which is housed at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, was inspired to develop the festival concept because several high-quality performance venues are located in the city.
“St. Charles has all the pieces needed to host an annual, multi-weekend theater event,” Gawlik said.
Other highlights will include a presentation of the play Little Shop of Horrors presented by the Fox Valley Repertory Youth Ensemble at the Pheasant Run Mainstage and a performance by former Beach Boys member Brian Wilson at the Arcada Theatre.
For a complete schedule or other information, visit www.summertheaterfest.org or call 1-800-777-4373. Those wishing to attend the festival can book hotel rooms with access to discounts on theater, entertainment and dining by visiting www.stcharlescharm.com.
