Rialto Sqaure Theatre
2006 Spring Season

Phil Vassar
Saturday, January 14
Tickets: AAA $40; AA, A, B $30; C $25 8:00PM

Country music's number one pianist/singer delivers his most compelling record to date on Shaken Not Stirred. Phil Vassar is first and foremost a songwriter. Some of his compositions have scored hits for New Country artists such as Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Blackhawk, Jo Dee Messina and Collin Raye. It should come as no surprise that Vassar's own music sets the bar higher than any of the aforementioned artists, especially his romantic country ballads. Vassar's romantic voice sounds seasoned and soulful -- a compliment to his well constructed songs.

Bridal Expo
Sunday, January 22
Tickets: $10 Advance; $12 Day Of Show 11:00AM

Welcome to the areas largest exposition of wedding products and services. This spectacular daylong event features exciting exhibits on display throughout the theatre plus a breathtaking bridal fashion show on stage, dozens of special Bridal Expo 2006 door prizes, free samples, show-only specials and much more.

A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline Dinner Theatre
Saturday, February 4
Tickets: $58 (Includes Dinner); $28 (Show Only) 6:00PM Dinner; 8:00PM Show

This hit musical traces the legendary singer’s rise to stardom from her hometown in Virginia to The Grand Ole Opry, Las Vegas and Carnegie Hall featuring songs like “She’s Got You,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall To Pieces” and “Crazy.”

B.B. King
Friday, February 10
Tickets: AAA $95; AA $75; A $55; B $45; C $40 8:00PM

80th Birthday Celebration Tour
With the release of his latest album, 80, B.B. King brings together Eric Clapton, Elton John and others to celebrate his 80 th birthday. The undisputed king of the blues, B.B. "Blues Boy" King will go down in history as one of the most important electric guitarists and blues singers ever. King's vocals are smooth and rich as they emote wailing cries and good-hearted humor, while every sound he plays on the guitar is instantly recognizable by his distinct vibrato, vocal guitar style and authorship of hundreds of the most classic blues riffs. Drawing on the single-note playing of T-Bone Walker, King's style has influenced several of the greatest rock, blues and jazz artists of the latter half of the twentieth century, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others. Most important is the fact that, with one note, B.B. King can tell a story that touches the deepest roots of your soul.

Tap Dogs
Saturday, February 11
Tickets: AAA $53; AA, A $43; B $33; C $28 8:00PM

Part Musical, part construction site, this sweaty line up of macho all-male Australian hoofers in checked shirts, ripped Levis and steel-capped work boots are stomping their way to you and ready to leave dents on stages all across North America. The international sensation - TAP DOGS- is a rough, tough rocking theatrical entertainment. Winner of 11 International Awards, TAP DOGS has been a howling success all across North America, Europe, Asia, America, and Australia. Sex and credentials, what more could you ask for?

A High Voltage Tap Sensation...A Hell Of A Good Time! -Time Out, NY

Driving Miss Daisy Starring Antonio Fargas
Sunday, February 12
Tickets: AA, A $53; B, C $43 2:00PM

The smash hit comedy that captured The Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award and Obie Award, Driving Miss Daisy is a story of an old, rich, crusty sharp-tongued Jewish woman and her African-American chauffer in the American South just prior to the civil rights movement. Slowly and steadily the dignified, good-natured chauffer breaks down the stern defenses of the ornery old lady. Driving Miss Daisy stars Antonio Fargas from the ABC soap opera “All My Children,” and the TV series “Starsky & Hutch” in which he played Huggy Bear

The Moody Blues - Tickets on sale December 9, 2005
Thursday, February 16
Tickets: AAA $125; AA, A $75; B $65; C $55 8:00PM

For over thirty years, The Moody Blues have been musical mainstays on concert stages, recordings and the airwaves. In the history of rock music, there are only a handful of bands that have endured – The Moody blues is in that elite group. As they continue touring, The Moody Blues with Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge, carry on a magical musical legacy to generation after generation. The Moody Blues will always be remembered for their marriage rock band and electric guitars with orchestra. A legendary band with a legendary roster of hits, hear your favorite classic hits including Nights In White Satin, Ride My See Saw, The Story In Your Eyes, Isn’t Life Strange, Question, I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band), Your Wildest Dreams and more!

Oklahoma
Tuesday, February 21
Tickets: AA, A $58; B, C $48 8:00PM

It is, quite simply, the show that changed the American musical forever --Rodgers & Hammerstein’s landmark musical OKLAHOMA!  On the heels of the wildly acclaimed London and Broadway revivals, this sparkling new touring production of OKLAHOMA! is adapted from the Cameron Mackintosh presentation of the Royal National Theatre production that won the hearts of a new generation of theatergoers. 

  “Oh What a Beautiful Musical!” - NY Post

Celebrate ABBA
Sunday, February 26
Tickets: AAA $49.50; AA, A $39.50; B $29.50; C $19.50 6:00PM

Come sing and dance with a tribute to the ABBA Band of the 1970s and 1980s.  The show is performed with live singers and musicians and several backup dancers/singers.  They sing all of the ABBA hits including “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance On Me,” “Fernando” and “Mama Mia.” The cast will perform as though they are Bjorn, Benny, Anna and Agnetha.  It is a fun "concert-like" show for all ages.

Care Bears Live
Tuesday, February 28; 7:00PM
Wednesday, March 1; 10:00AM & 7:00PM
Thursday, March 2; 3:00PM & 7:00PM

 Tickets: AA $25; A $21; B, C $15

In Care Bears Live “Caring and Sharing Friends” we meet Lindsay, a little girl who is saddened because her best friend has moved away. Wish Bear hears Lindsay’s wish to meet her Care Bear friends for companionship, then magically transports Lindsay along with the audience to Care-a-lot -- home of the Care Bears! The Care Bears share the ways in which Lindsay can make new friends and – in the process – the Bears themselves learn a valuable lesson about friendship: In order to make a friend, you have to be a good friend, too.

Paul Rodriguez
Friday, March 3
Tickets: AAA $43; AA, A $38; B $33; C $28 8:00PM

Paul Rodriguez’ career as an actor and comedian spans more than two decades performing to over a million concert goers and includes starring roles and featured appearances in over 30 films and countless television series and specials. Paul is currently shooting a film with Anthony Hopkins entitled “The World’s Fastest Indian.”

42nd Street
Saturday, March 4
Tickets: AA, A $58; B, C $48 8:00PM

Come and meet those dancing feet!

-- the timeless, inspiring tale of small town Peggy Sawyer's rise from chorine to Broadway star. And those songs! "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're in the Money," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," "Keep Young and Beautiful," "I Only Have Eyes For You," and the spectacular title number, danced down a flight of steps that lights up as brightly as the faces of the cast. Joliet will find out what it's like to float up to Musical Comedy Heaven.

Three Mo’ Tenors
Sunday, March 5
Tickets: AAA $58; AA, A $48; B $43; C $38 6:00PM

Three Mo’ Tenors showcases the incredible versatility of African-American tenors. It starts with Classical opera but features seven musical styles that span four hundred years of music -- all in one entertaining evening. Conceived and directed by veteran Broadway performer, choreographer and director Marion J. Caffey,Three Mo’ Tenors are men who have developed a musical repertoire with extraordinary breadth. Like Olympic decathlon athletes, these classically trained, multi-talented operatic tenors can do it all! They have mastered not only operatic music, but jazz, gospel, soul, spirituals, new school, Broadway and the blues as well.

Sing! Sing! Sing!
A Tribute To Benny Goodman’s Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert
Starring Ken Peplowski Clarinet conducting The Kingdom of Swing Big Band
Saturday, March 11
Tickets: AAA $43; AA, A, B, C $33 8:00PM

Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert opened the door to jazz to be appreciated as a true American art form. Revisiting this famous concert – with original charts – Ken Peplowski and The Kingdom of Swing Band will perform such hits as “One O’clock Jump,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “Don’t Be That Way,” and the climatic finale “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

American English
Saturday, April 1
Tickets: AAA $45; AA, A $35; B, C $30 8:00PM

American English delivers the most authentic Broadway-like production of the history of the Beatles, complete with costumes and vintage instruments from every Beatle era. The show is presented in chronological order beginning with the early years of Ed Sullivan, followed by the psychedelic Sgt. Pepper years and continues through to Abbey Road and their final roof-top concert. All the music is performed live and features many of the Beatles greatest hits!

Engelbert Humperdinck
Friday, April 7
Tickets: AAA $63; AA, A $53; B $43; C $38 8:00PM

One of the greatest balladeers and matinee idol singers, Engelbert Humperdinck remains one of the most magnificent musician and performer of our time. His voice comes from heaven and he has been a legend in the international music industry for the last 30 years, with over 130 million records sold. You know and love his songs “Release Me,” “After The Lovin’,” “Spanish Eyes,” “The Last Waltz,” “Quando, Quando, Quando” and more. Share this night with Engelbert Humperdinck and hear the music from the king of romance himself.

Put The Nuns In Charge! Dinner Theatre
Saturday, April 8
Tickets: $58 (Includes Dinner); 6:00PM Dinner

The hilarious sequel to Late Nite Catechism that made you laugh so hard, it ought to be a sin!

Put The Nuns In Charge! is a sequel to the hit comedy, Late Nite Catechism, once again featuring the character of Sister. Sister gives her own take on the Golden Rule and has something to say on everything from skirt lengths to cell phones. If you thought Late Nite Catechism was funny see what Sister has to say about behavior in our modern society! Sister has her own opinions on just about everything, from the shade of your lipstick to the I-Pod in your pocket. Where Late Nite Catechism creates a nostalgic look at Catholic upbringing, Put the Nuns in Charge! applies that upbringing to today’s modern problems.

“sharp, funny and richly humane”…………… Chicago Tribune

Rialto Pops Pipe Organ Extravaganza X
From Stage To Screen
Saturday, April 29
Tickets: AA, A, B, C $38 7:00PM

This year’s show will feature spectacular music that originated on Broadway and has become equally popular in motion pictures. Join us and hear spectacular keyboard artistry on the piano, Barton Grand Theatre Organ, Digital organ and a 40-piece wind ensemble for an evening of beautiful musical standards. Enjoy music from such timeless musicals such as South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma and many others.

Tickets on sale Friday, Dec. 2, 2005
Purchase tickets online.