Raue Center Announces Summer Comedy & Musical Series

Raue Center For The Arts is excited to announce new summer comedy and musical series! With headliners including Christopher Titus, Dave Coulier, Billy Gardell and hit musicals like "All Shook Up," Disney's "Freaky Friday," "The Addams Family" and Roald Dahl's "Matilda The Musical," the upcoming lineup features something for everyone to enjoy!

"After more than a decade of providing great comedy to the region, consider Raue Center the home of comedy this summer! We are thrilled to welcome Christopher Titus, Dave Coulier, Billy Gardell and so many more to be announced over the next month," says Executive Director, Richard Kuranda. "And for those who are looking for an intimate comedy club, check out Lucy's Comedy - started by Chicago's own Pat McGann and currently curated by WGN's John Da Cosse - which has been a mainstay on the comedy circuit for 15 years!"

Raue Center's top-notch comedy lineup kicks off with the return of Christopher Titus! The "hard funny" comedian will perform his newest stand-up special, "Amerigeddon," at 8 p.m. on June 14, 2019. Known for leaving no stone unturned, especially within his own life and family, Titus takes his audience on a 90-minute ride that will leave them exhausted from laughter. As the Chicago Tribune writes, "Titus is looking to unite the country one laugh at a time" with his eighth special. Tickets start at $33.

The lineup also includes the return of a Raue Center favorite! Dave Coulier, the stand-up comedian and actor best known as Joey from ABC's hit television series, "Full House," returns to Raue Center at 8 p.m. on August 17, 2019. He has performed his clean stand-up comedy on "The Tonight Show," HBO's Detroit "Comedy Jam" and HBO's "Comic Relief" at Radio City Music Hall. Coulier continues to sell out shows at colleges, corporate events, casinos, nightclubs and theaters. Tickets start at $30.

The comedy will continue into the fall, as Raue Center is also excited to welcome an Emmy-nominated actor and comedian in October! Comedian Billy Gardell from CBS' "Mike & Molly" hits the stage 8 p.m. on October 18, 2019. Gardell's stand-up show is a powerhouse and his grounded, down-to-earth point of view strikes a strong chord with American audiences. Stories about his rough childhood, wild adolescence and new family life are executed with the skill of a master craftsman. Tickets start at $33.

"Along with Comedy, Raue Center is the home of great musical theatre," says Kuranda. "Our in-house professional theatre company, Williams Street Repertory, is bringing some fun musicals to downtown Crystal Lake, not just for kids but for everyone!"

WSRep wraps up its 2018 - 2019 season with a hip-swiveling, lip-curling hit! "All Shook Up" opens on June 28, 2019 and runs select dates through July 21, 2019. This modern take on Shakespeare's classic, "Twelfth Night," features the songs of Elvis like never before! Audiences will go crazy for this jukebox musical that will have everyone jumpin' out of their seats with hits like "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock" and "Don't Be Cruel." Tickets are $39.50.

The musical fun continues into WSRep's 2019 - 2020 season with the regional premiere of Disney's "Freaky Friday," which opens on August 2, 2019 and running select dates through September 8, 2019! This new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a hilarious, contemporary update on an American classic in which a mother and daughter really see what it is to be a family and experience each other's lives first-hand, if only for a day. Tickets are $39.50.

WSRep's 2019 - 2020 season will also feature a production of "The Addams Family" in the fall of 2019. America's darkest family comes to life in this original musical about love, family, honesty and growing up, which opens on September 27, 2019 and runs select dates through October 13, 2019. Tickets are $39.50. The upcoming season of fantastic musical theatre will also feature a summer 2020 production of Roald Dahl's "Matilda the Musical." There is wonder and amazement abound in this award-winning musical based on the beloved novel.

"Look for more great comics and musicals to be announced for our upcoming season," says Kuranda.

Information about auditions, performance dates and ticketing for WSRep's productions "The Addams Family" and "Matilda The Musical" is forthcoming. Please visit rauecenter.org this spring for these updates as well as Raue Center's End of Fiscal Year Appeal, which will support Raue Center's Stage Studio arts education programs.

About Williams Street Repertory

Williams Street Repertory is a non-profit theatre company located in Crystal Lake, IL. Over the past seven years, WSRep has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of Illinois' leading producing theatres. WSRep is dedicated to sustaining an artistic process of innovative and emotionally charged work, telling diverse stories and creating an in-house production company of well-respected artists. Since opening, WSRep has presented more than 25 productions with a wide range of appeal, from Chicago premieres and international debuts to holiday favorites. In 2016, WSRep entered into a contract with Actors' Equity Association, making WSRep the only professional theatre company in McHenry County. WSRep is dedicated to its mission of producing diverse and emotionally charged stories that deepen the cultural richness of our community and our region. WSRep was made possible through support provided by Susen Håakansson Berg and James C. Berg, the City of Crystal Lake, ComEd, McHenry County Community Foundation and Epic Repertory Theater Company. For additional information, visit wsrep.org.

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 17 years, they have provided quality programming - striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional Showcase Theatre named for its benefactor-Lucile Raue-Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, IL, is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

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