Last year, a British production of “Peter Pan” pitched its giant tent at 650 W. Chicago (near Halsted and the Chicago River) and enjoyed a hugely successful 16-week run that attracted a total audience of 110,000. The show’s producer, British-bred, New York-based Robert Butters, has formed a new company and has announced that Riverfront Theater will be an ongoing enterprise at that site, with a full season of attractions to be performed in its 70-foot-tall, 22,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled tent.
The initial season, which begins in May, will feature:
– “The Twelve Tenors” (May 30-June 3), featuring a group of vocalists singing standards from the opera, pop, traditional Irish and swing repertoire.
– “Dancing Queen” (June 6-24), a celebration of the music of the 1970s including chart-toppers by ABBA, and highlights from the film “Saturday Night Live.”
– “Spirit of the Dance” (June 27-July 15), the 10th anniversary of this show, a global hit, that features world champion dancers in specialty performances of Irish dance, the tango, flamenco and salsa.
– “La Soiree” (July 18-Aug. 5), an “adult show” that mixes cabaret, new burlesque, a circus sideshow and contemporary variety.
– “Rocket Man” (Aug. 8-26), a celebration of the music of Sir Elton John.
– “Man in the Mirror” (Sept. 12-30), a show featuring the music of Michael Jackson, from his early days with the Jackson 5, to his “Thriller” album and beyond, with special effects and multimedia tricks part of the mix.
Tickets for the first four shows go on sale at 10 a.m. April 20. Tickets for “Rocket Man” and “Man in the Mirror” go on sale at 10 a.m. June 1. Call (888) 556-9484 or visit www.RiverfrontTheater.com.
