BrightSide Theatre returns for our 6th summer of free, family-friendly entertainment. Our hour-long concert features the talents of several singers and live musicians.
CLASSIC BROADWAY
Join this summer for Summer in the Parks: Classic Broadway — a free outdoor concert series celebrating the unforgettable songs that defined the American musical.
Each lively, hour-long revue features five dynamic vocalists and four live musicians performing beloved Broadway classics, showstopping numbers, and timeless favorites from some of musical theatre’s most cherished productions.
Presented in parks across Naperville, Downers Grove, Lisle, and Bolingbrook, these family-friendly performances invite audiences of all ages to relax under the summer sky and experience the joy, nostalgia, and magic of live Broadway music together. Bring a lawn chair, gather your friends and family, and enjoy 10 FREE concerts in 10 parks all summer long.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 9
Wagner Family Pavilion
3109 Cedar Glade Dr.
Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with
Naperville Park District
Wednesday, July 15
443 Aurora Ave.
Naperville
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with
Naperville Park District
Wednesday, July 22
1835 N Aurora Ave.
Naperville, IL
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with
Naperville Park District
Thursday, July 23
& Racquet Club
5560 Fairview Ave.
Downers Grove
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with
Downers Grove Swim
& Racquet Club
Thursday, August 6
1727 Ranchview Dr.
Naperville, IL
Time: 7-8pm
In partnership with
Naperville Park District
Friday, August 7
Sunday, August 9
1825 Short St.
Lisle, IL
Time: 5-6pm
In partnership with
Lisle Park District
Sunday, August 16
711 Iroquois Ave.
Naperville
Time: 5-6pm
In partnership with
Naperville Park District
Sunday, September 20
Amphitheater
South-East Corner of W. Jackson Ave. and S. Eagle St.
Naperville
In partnership with
The Riverwalk Fine Art Fair
Naperville Art League
Time: 12:30-1:30pm &
2pm-3pm
MEET THE VOICES
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Julie Ann Kornak
Julie Ann Kornak was most recently seen Florence in Chess and as Charlotte in BST’s A Little Night Music. Other BST credits include: Amalia in She Loves Me, Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Claudia in BST’s Inaugural concert series production of NINE in Concert, and as Francesca in Bridges of Madison County. Julie has also been singing in the Summer in the Parks Concert Series. Julie can be seen singing in many Naperville and local area churches. Much love to Adam, Ryan, Aidan, Amanda, and Grandma for being my biggest fans! Thank you for supporting BrightSide Theatre
Michelle Bolliger
Meghan Kessel
Meghan Kessel is happy to be back at BrightSide! Past BST credits include Gypsy,City of Angels, She Loves Me, and Promises, Promises. Other favorites include Winnie the Pooh (Owl), Metropolis’ Christmas Carol (Christmas Past), and 9 to 5 (Judy Bernly). When not on stage Meghan teaches at Old Town School of Folk Music and works as a Music Director. She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support and love!
Jon Cunningham
Jon Cunningham is thrilled to be back with BrightSide. You may have seen him recently as Pontius Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar), Fredrik Egerman (A Little Night Music), Georg Nowack (She Loves Me), Stone (City of Angels in Concert), Lawrence (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) or Chuck Baxter (Promises, Promises in Concert) . With over 20 years of experience, Jon has performed at Drury Lane, Marriott Lincolnshire, Theatre at the Center, Big Noise, and Apple Tree. Favorite roles include Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors), Jesus (JCS), John (John and Jen) and Charlie (Merrily We Roll Along, 2005 Best Actor Jeff Citation Nominee).
Zach Gibson
Zach is excited to join BrightSide Theatre’s Summer in the Parks Concerts. Most recently he performed this last season in Jesus Christ Superstar and Chess in Concert. He has been involved in regional theater for over 10 years. Favorite roles include The D’Ysquith Family (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder; 2023 Lou Award Winner – Best Performer Lead Role), Barrett (Titanic the Musical), & Peter Shaw (Silent Sky) [Wheaton Drama]; Quasimodo (Hunchback of Notre Dame) & Officer Lockstock (Urinetown) [NTP]; Father Flynn (Doubt) [Greenman]. More at zachgib.weebly.com.
Jeffrey Cass (Director)
Jeffrey Cass, a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess in Concert, A Little Night Music and Gypsy. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of Hairspray. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed 8 Productions including The Who’s Tommy (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
