Liberty Town Productions' 6th Annual BEST OF BROADWAY Showcase Set for 8/2

Liberty Town Productions, Libertyville's not-for-profit entertainment company, hosts its sixth annual Musical Summer Showcase featuring the Best of Broadway on Saturday, Aug. 2, in The Fuel Room of Austin's Saloon & Eatery. Show times are 6:00 and 8:15 pm.

"Showcase," as Liberty Town's performers call it, is presented in a cabaret-style setting and includes songs from all eras of American musicals. The cast features local performers, many of whom are either studying for professional music careers or are already performing with professional organizations and troupes. This Showcase is directed by Grayslake's Dustin Helvie, Waukegan's David Lundholm and Aurora's Maggie Bieritz with choreography by Chicago's Patrick Farbo.

"I always look forward to working with all our Showcase performers," says Helvie. "This is a great chance to rekindle some great friendships and produce an outstanding show. Every year, we have part of our cast who have been here before and add new talent, too. Our goal is always to raise the bar, bring outstanding performers and music to the Libertyville community and have a great time doing it."

This year's North Suburban cast and band members include: Cassie Austin, Libertyville; Micah Brame, Libertyville; Kelley Combs, Mundelein; Bill Coronelli, Libertyville; Dawn Crowther, Libertyville; Bill Dejon, Libertyville; Helvie; Laurel Kaiser, Hawthorn Woods; Susie Kiefer, Libertyville; Christian Klepac, Libertyville; Anne Lowell, Libertyville; Lundholm; Abbi Adjei Perberg, Hainesville; Dustin Rothbart, Northbrook; Jon Simkus, Hawthorn Woods; and Jodi Thors, Gurnee; along with Chicagoland performers Bieritz, Roy Brown, Farbo, Katie Hahn Peter Rasey, Christopher Thomas, Erika Thomas and Stuart Vance.

"This annual Showcase is not a local talent show," says Barry Reszel, Liberty Town's executive director. "Many of our cast members are students and graduates of some of the best performing arts programs in the country, like Cassie at BYU and Christian at Western Michigan. Others like David, Katie, Jodi, Stu, Dawn and Roy perform extensively in professional and community theatres. Our first showcase featured Libertyville's Ian Liberto, who has now been in numerous Broadway shows and in the Tony Awards' and Kennedy Center Honors' performance casts.

"These are just examples of the great talent onstage, and they're accompanied by an absolutely fabulous live professional band. Know this, the Liberty Town Summer Showcase is the best $12 ($8 for students) you can spend on local entertainment, Aug. 2, and Austin's Fuel Room is the perfect venue for this event."

Tickets for either of the two performances (6:00 pm and 8:15 pm) are $12 ($8 for students) online in advance at www.libertownproductions.com. If available, tickets will be sold at the door. Seating is general admission with doors opening 30 minutes prior to showtime. Austin's Fuel Room is at 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville.

Photo Credit: Jerry Crabtree

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