Five vocalists, four live musicians, and no ticket required. That's what Naperville families get when BrightSide Theatre's "Summer in the Parks: Classic Broadway" series opens Thursday, July 9, at the 95th Street Community Plaza.
The Naperville Park District and BrightSide Theatre are partnering for the sixth consecutive summer to bring free, hour-long outdoor musical performances to neighborhood parks across the city. The series hits five locations between July 9 and Sunday, August 16, with each show featuring Broadway standards performed by a live ensemble.
No registration. No reservation. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, and snacks.
The schedule
- Thursday, July 9, 7–8 p.m. — 95th Street Community Plaza/Wagner Family Pavilion, 3109 Cedar Glade Drive
- Wednesday, July 15, 7–8 p.m. — Millennium Carillon Amphitheatre, 443 Aurora Ave.
- Wednesday, July 22, 7–8 p.m. — Country Lakes Park, 1835 N. Aurora Road
- Thursday, August 6, 7–8 p.m. — Ranchview Park, 1727 Ranchview Drive
- Sunday, August 16, 5–6 p.m. — Arrowhead Park, 711 Iroquois Ave.
- Bonus: Sunday, September 20, 12:30–1:30 p.m. and 2–3 p.m. — Riverwalk Fine Art Fair (in partnership with Naperville Art League)
Note the earlier start time for the August 16 show at Arrowhead Park: 5 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.
Who's performing
Director Jeffrey Cass, a Joseph Jefferson Award nominee who has directed more than 30 BrightSide productions, leads the cast. Vocalists include Jon Cunningham, a 20-year stage veteran who has performed at Drury Lane and Marriott Lincolnshire; Meghan Kessel, who teaches at Old Town School of Folk Music; 2023 Lou Award winner Zach Gibson; Michelle Bolliger; and Sean Rhead.
The Naperville dates are part of a broader 10-park, 10-concert summer tour that also visits Downers Grove, Lisle, and Bolingbrook.
What to know before you go
The concerts are free and open to all ages. The Park District confirmed no registration is needed. The Park District has not posted accessibility details for individual venues; families with questions can call (630) 848-5000 or visit napervilleparks.org.
The series opens Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m. at the Wagner Family Pavilion on Cedar Glade Drive.
