Bicentennial Park | Joliet Waterfront Entertainment Theater Concerts

Outdoor bandshell and indoor theatre complex set in a scenic 10-acre park, nestled between limestone bluffs and I&M Canal waterway on historic Bluff Street downtown Joliet

bipark@joliet.gov | 815-724-3761

Playwrights & Poets Fest

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Kicking off 2023 with creative original works on stage!

After a couple years of rest and isolation, the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre welcomes a new iteration of the Emerging Playwrights Festival. Now known as the Playwrights and Poets Festival, this indoor theatre event will be held Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28 at 7:00 pm.

This year not only are there new short one-act plays written by area authors, but also new original poetry. This is a true celebration of the creative writing talent in the area.

Unlike past years, the judging has already taken place. A panel of judges has given their feedback, and these are the selected entries.

Featured authors include Phoebe Carmine, Maria Fischer, Allison Fradkin, Todd Hogan, Amy Jackson, Allison Pater, G William Zorn, and more.

Admission is $5. Tickets may be purchased online, with no additional fees.

The lobby doors will open at 6:00 pm, with concessions and libations available to purchase.

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For more information, contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.

 

Playwrights & Poets Fest

By

Kicking off 2023 with creative original works on stage!

After a couple years of rest and isolation, the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre welcomes a new iteration of the Emerging Playwrights Festival. Now known as the Playwrights and Poets Festival, this indoor theatre event will be held Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28 at 7:00 pm.

This year not only are there new short one-act plays written by area authors, but also new original poetry. This is a true celebration of the creative writing talent in the area.

Unlike past years, the judging has already taken place. A panel of judges has given their feedback, and these are the selected entries.

Featured authors include Phoebe Carmine, Maria Fischer, Allison Fradkin, Todd Hogan, Amy Jackson, Allison Pater, G William Zorn, and more.

Admission is $5. Tickets may be purchased online, with no additional fees.

The lobby doors will open at 6:00 pm, with concessions and libations available to purchase.

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown Joliet, 60432.

For more information, contact the office: 815-724-3761/ bipark@joliet.gov.

 

SOMETHING ROTTEN! Outdoor Musical

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“If the real world was a book, it would never find a publisher!” After a crazy year, we think you could use a good laugh. Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park & Theatre presents Something Rotten!

Welcome to the Renaissance and the outrageous, crowd-pleasing musical farce, Something Rotten. Created by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick, and successful screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Something Rotten was lauded by audience members and critics alike, receiving several Best Musical nominations and hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years”.

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Something Rotten features large song and dance numbers, and a wacky cast of over-the-top characters, each given his or her own special moment in the show to shine. Throughout its Broadway run, the musical received a show-stopping standing ovation from audiences… in the beginning of the first act!

Book by Karey Kirkpatrick & John O’Farrell

Music & Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick

Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick & Wayne Kirkpatrick

OUTDOOR SHOWS
Friday, June 18         7:30-10:30 pm
Saturday, June 19    7:30-10:30  pm
Sunday, June 20       2:00 – 5:00 pm

Friday, June 18         7:30-10:30 pm
Saturday, June 19    7:30-10:30  pm
Sunday, June 20       2:00 – 5:00 pm

If inclement weather, show will be moved indoors.

TICKETS
$15.00 adults
$10.00 students & seniors
Click here to purchase tickets online thru Ticket Tailor
Tickets also available at the gate (cash only).

SEATING, CONCESSIONS & CASH BAR
The performance will be outside on the bandshell. Bring your blankets and chairs for hill seating.
Concessions & cash bar available.
You may bring your own food and beverage, except alcohol.
***NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL ALLOWED***

LOCATION
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre
201 W Jefferson St
Joliet, IL 60432

JEFFERSON STREET BRIDGE
Even though the Jefferson Street bridge is closed for repairs, you can still get to the Park on Jefferson Street by using the right hand lane.

SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Is presented through special arrangement with Music theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com

Click here for a printable flyer

OUR SPONSORS

Lions Club International

BICENTENNIAL PARK

201 Jefferson St
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone: (815) 724-3761
Fax: (815) 724-3773
email: bipark@joliet.gov

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 12:00 noon

MAILING LIST

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