Rialto to welcome Carol Burnett

• Reprints

Carol Burnett is bringing her show “Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett" to the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on May 8.

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:47AM

JOLIET — Carol Burnett is coming to the Rialto Square Theatre on May 8, doing a show that will basically be a conversation with the audience, likely one loaded with laughs.

Burnett is among the greats of TV comedy. “The Carol Burnett Show” was one of the most popular shows on television during its 11-year-run from 1967 to 1978.

“We’re delighted,” said Randy Green, executive director of the Rialto. “Obviously, we’re bringing one of the royalties of show business.”

Burnett has performed on Broadway and in TV and movies, playing comedic and serious roles. But she’s best known for “The Carol Burnett Show.”

Her show at the Rialto, called “Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett: A Conversation with Carol Where the Audience Asks the Questions,” should provide the audience a relaxed evening with Burnett and memories of her variety show.

“It’s almost like a re-creation of the first part of her TV show, where she would come out and talk with the audience,” Green said.

“The Carol Burnett Show” show featured a variety of comedy skits and musical performances but began with Burnett talking to the audience and taking a few questions.

Green said the Rialto has been trying to bring her to Joliet for the past two years. But it has not been an easy task, because Burnett, who is 78, makes a limited number of appearances each year.

Having her come to the Rialto is special for another reason, Green said.

Almost the entire cast of “The Carol Burnett Show,” with the exception of Lyle Waggoner, will have performed at the Rialto once Burnett does so.

The show’s five main players were Burnett, Waggoner, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and Harvey Korman

Lawrence appeared at the theater in 2008.

Conway and Korman did a show together at the Rialto in 2006, re-creating some of their skits from “The Carol Burnett Show.” The audience loved it, Green said. Korman died in 2008.

TV Guide and Time magazine placed “The Carol Burnett Show” on lists of greatest TV shows of all time.

Burnett’s show at the Rialto will begin at 8 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $125.

Tickets are available at the box office at the Rialto, which is at 102 N. Chicago St., and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets also are available at Ticketmaster.com and railtosquare.com.

To order tickets by phone, call 815-726-6600 or 800-982-2787.