Crowd Pleasers for Aug. 24, 2012

Matt Judd (from left), Cylia Srmek, Morgan Johnson, Molly Murphy and Michael Lynch star in "No Strings Attached" by StagePlay: Musical Theater for Kids!

Updated: September 25, 2012 10:30AM

Here is a look at some crowd pleasers in the area. Events include “No Strings Attached” by StagePlay: Musical Theater for Kids! in Oak Lawn and Tinley Summer Fest is Tinley Park.

‘No Strings Attached’

Oak Lawn area residents Morgan Johnson, Matt Judd, Michael Lynch, Molly Murphy, and Cylia Srmek are featured in the production of “No Strings Attached” by StagePlay: Musical Theater for Kids! at 7 p.m. Aug. 25.

These students were in StagePlay’s spring production of “No Strings Attached” at the Oak Lawn Park District, but not necessarily in the same roles they will play in the all-star show.

Thanks to their familiarity with the script, only eight rehearsals were needed to mount the production. Unlike the Disney version of “Pinocchio,” this musical is more closely based on the original story written by Carlo Collodi, according to Monica Minogue, the production’s director.

The book is by Patrick Rainville Dorn, and music and lyrics are by Bill Francoeur.

StagePlay’s “No Strings Attached” will be at Oak View Community Center Theater, 4625 W. 110th St., Oak Lawn.

Admission is $10 in advance at monica@stageplaykids.com or (815) 954-3228 or $15 at the door.

StagePlay: Musical Theater for Kids! began in 2002 under the direction of Minogue and has expanded to eight park districts, offering classes for ages 5-15.

The StagePlay program incorporates valuable life lessons in teamwork, commitment, conquering fear, being prepared, confidence and theater etiquette.

Information: stageplaykids.com.

Durbin’s anniversary

Tom McAuliffe recently opened a new location of Durbin’s in Plainfield, and he will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of his first location in Burbank starting Aug. 24 for three days at 5406 W. 79th St.

The anniversary weekend will include authentic Irish dancers at 6 p.m., Chicago’s own Doonaree Pipe Band at 7 p.m. and Red Rebel County at 9 p.m. Aug. 24.

On Aug. 25, there will be an old-fashioned barbecue from noon-1 a.m., a WSCR-AM (670) radio party with Chicago Bear Steve “Mongo” McMichael from 2-6 p.m. a pizza-eating contest and karaoke finals at 5 p.m., and Infinity performing at 9 p.m.

On Aug. 26, the 11th Avenue Motown Band will perform at 1 p.m., Chicago Bear Hall of Famer Dan Hampton will do a meet and greet at 5 p.m., the Neverly Brothers will perform at 8 p.m., and there will be an all-day pig roast and barbecue.

The anniversary celebration also will include the chance to win VIP tickets to see Jay Cutler in person, 1987 prices, a grand prize raffle for $10,000-plus in prizes and a Sunday Family Funday when children are free.

Durbin’s also has locations in Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Midlothian, Palos Hills and Tinley Park.

Information: (708) 423-1523, durbinspizza.com.

Labyrinth Celebration

A daylong Labyrinth Celebration will take place on Aug. 25 at the Center, 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park.

Pastoral director Chris Hopkins invites people to gather from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for this day of exploring the many ways of walking a labyrinth.

The day will include instruction, guided walks, quiet reflection and group conversation.

This event is part of a fundraising campaign to enable the Center to build a permanent labyrinth on its property. Labyrinths are large circular paths that are conducive to spiritual meditation.

The suggested donation for the celebration is $40. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required at (708) 361-3650.

PSC exhibit

The Christopher Art Gallery at Prairie State College will host the “Photographer of the Year” and “2012 Annual Student Exhibition” from Aug. 27-Sept. 30 at 202 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. An opening reception will take place from noon-2 p.m. Aug. 29.

The exhibit includes drawings, paintings, photographs and mixed media works that were produced by PSC students in the 2011- 12 academic year.

Professor Paul Rinaldi, coordinator of fine arts, said the show is intended to sample and provide a platform for some of the most accomplished work produced in the PSC studios and recognized by the art department faculty.

“Most of the students exhibiting here are just beginning their formal art studies at Prairie State, yet many of the works already demonstrate a commitment to self-discovery and technical professionalism,” he said.

“We applaud these students’ hard work and accomplishments and, at the start of a new semester, we look forward to the next chapter in their creative explorations.”

Featured during the exhibit will be the work of this year’s photographer of the year, student Beth Schimanski, a resident of Crete.

The photographer of the year award is given annually to an outstanding PSC photography student. In addition to being the featured artist in the student show, Schimanski also will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Schimanski said of her experience with photography that she is “fully engaged in this tiny square of a world that will allow (her) only 12 precious frames at a time to trap and later translate a natural instant.”

She added that her work displayed at the exhibit, titled “at the essence” “was as natural an undertaking as it gets: chance encounters leading to rich beverages, quality company and amazing music.”

The images she captured for the project were in the “humble and comforting home, recording studio and jam spot of a talented musician and kind soul, who welcomed (her) Yashica and (her) into his dwelling.”

“There is a vibe in this spot of an undeniable and intrinsic nature of goodwill, along with a spirited passion for life and wisdom,” Schimanski said. “It was these attributes and divine light that led me easily around the wood of the essence and its musicians and gave me a bounty of true gain that I can hope is even partially relayed in my images.”

Additional student artists represented in the exhibit are Norman Harris and David Koenig, of Beecher; Adrian Andrade, Karina Corona, Reginald Gale, Miriam Meade, Antoine Merrick and Jackie Reyna, of Chicago Heights; Patrick Van Zyl, of Crete; Emily Schranz, of Glenwood; Kailah Armand and William Moser, of Homewood; Carla Banuelos and Norman Harris, of Lynwood; William Billingsly and Gwen Desvignes, of Matteson; Natalie Pesick, of Olympia Fields; Amber Peoples, of Richton Park; and Tenyiah Simmons, of Steger.

The Christopher Art Gallery is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays and 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. The gallery will be closed on Labor Day, Sept. 3. Visits also can be made by appointment.

Information: PSC Foundation at (708) 709-3636.

Tinley Summer Fest

Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago will present the second annual Tinley Summer Fest from noon-10 p.m. Aug. 25 at 17300 Ozark Ave.

The festival, which is co-sponsored by the SouthtownStar, will feature live entertainment including a dance contest between Chicago’s team mascots.

The entertainment lineup starts with Easter Seals’ own resident disc jockey, DJ Ronnie Ron, followed by Acoustic Disorder, a rock duo; Fairview, an up-and-coming alternative rock band; and Almost Famous featuring Johnny Monaco from the 1980s rock band Enuff Z’nuff. “Almost Famous will have you out of your seats dancing to a stellar mix of rock, pop and dance covers from the ’80s, ’90s and today.

The fest also will feature children’s games, an inflatable fun zone by the Cord Vanderpool Foundation, food, beer and wine.

More than 1,000 local participants are expected to raise funds at this event for local Easter Seals services, drive awareness of issues affecting the disability community and change the lives of individuals and families living with disabilities in the area.

“Tinley Summer Fest is an opportunity for families, friends, neighbors and colleagues to team up for a common purpose — to help individuals with disabilities in the local area,” said F. Timothy Muri, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago president and chief executive officer.

Information: tinleysummerfest.com, (708) 802-9050.

MORE CROWD PLEASERS

ART

THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 443-3600: “Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective” will be on display to Sept. 3. *** Admission is free to Illinois residents on the first and second Wednesdays of the month.

COMEDY

RIDDLES COMEDY CLUB: 5055 W. 111th St., Alsip, (708) 422-5055: Rodney Lumpkins will perform two shows each on Aug. 24-25.

MUSEUMS

ADLER PLANETARIUM: 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 922-7827: “The Universe: A Walk Through Space and Time” recently debuted.

THE FIELD MUSEUM: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 922-9410: “Genghis Khan” is on display through Sept. 3.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (773) 684-1414: “MythBusters: The Explosive Exhibit,” which features an interactive experience culled from the Discovery Channel TV show “MythBusters,” is on display through Sept. 3.

SHEDD AQUARIUM: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (312) 939-2438: Exhibits include “Jellies,” which has been extended through 2013.

THEATER

“MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET”: Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 935-6100: Running through Sept. 2, the show is inspired by the auspicious twist of fate that brought together musicians Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley at the Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis, Tenn. The show runs Wednesdays-Sundays.

“PINKALICIOUS — THE MUSICAL”: Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut Ave., Chicago, (800) 775-2000: Running through Sept. 2, this production of the hit musical is based on the popular book by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann. The Emerald City Theatre show is best for ages 3 and older.

VARIETY

BACINEMA SCREENING OF “THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL”: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago, (773) 445-3838: The weekly film series continues at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 with this movie from the United Kingdom. Rated PG-13, the film for 2 hour and 4 minutes. Tickets are $7.50, or $5.50 for center members.

“CIRQUE SHANGHAI’S YEAR OF THE DRAGON”: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, (800) 745-3000 (tickets): This show will run to Sept. 3. “After a successful run on Broadway, Cirque Shanghai returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier this summer with a magnificent new show, ‘Year of the Dragon,’ ” officials said. “ ‘Year of the Dragon’ is a spectacle for audiences of all ages, featuring performers direct from China who are leaders in their craft of tumbling, juggling, balancing and more. China’s finest daredevil motorcycle troupe, Imperial Thunder, returns with not two, not four but five motorcyclists riding at breakneck speed within a steel globe, more than ever before in this death-defying feat.”

“XTREME BUGS”: Brookfield Zoo, 31st Street and First Avenue, Brookfield, (708) 688-8000. Featuring large animatronic bugs, this exhibit will run to Sept. 7. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for ages 3-11 in addition to general admission of $15 for adults and $10.50 for children. Parking is $10.

WILL COUNTY FAIR: 710 S. West St., Peotone, (708) 258-9359 (Will County Fair Association): The 109th installment of this event features the theme “Come Home to the Country” and runs through Aug. 26. Highlights include Green Party Day and Dollar Day at the carnival on Aug. 24; Democrat Day on Aug. 25 and Republican Day on Aug. 26. There also will be an entertainment tent, Chicken Droppin’ Bingo, a beer tent, an air-conditioned restaurant, agricultural and commercial exhibits, a truck-tractor pull and a livestock auction.

Crowd Pleasers listings may be sent to jvirtusio@southtownstar.com with “Events” in the subject line. Items must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the desired Friday print date in order to be considered for publication.

More events can be found at the website for Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, cscvb.com.

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