The Langston Hughes Project Playbill

2020-2021 SEAS O N

THE LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021 These programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

o m e to lc e w NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE Thank you for joining us for the North Central College Fine & Performing Arts 2020-2021 Virtual Season! We couldn’t be more excited to be able to share these incredibly talented artists with you from the comfort of your own homes in a virtual format. This has been a unique and challenging time, but it is a joy to share fine arts events together virtually, even if we cannot do so yet in person.

We kicked off our virtual season in January with The Hit Men and open February with an incredible lineup of performances from artists such as The Langston Hughes Project, Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies, and Naturally 7. In March and April, tune in for The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Lee Rocker of Stray Cats, the Chicago Sinfonietta, The Sharpe Family Singers, and the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. We close out the virtual season in May with actor Robert Neary in “So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience.”

As a thank you for your continued support, we are providing most of these events free with a reservation. Additionally, viewing will be unlimited and available for the entire weekend these performances are released for you to view at your leisure. We hope you enjoy an encore performance or two!

At this time, we also wish to express our sincere gratitude for our season sponsors and Friends of the Arts donors—thank you for your generous support this season.

We would not be able to bring you these wonderful virtual events and continue working toward future seasons without your generous contributions.

Until we are able to celebrate the arts together in person, stay safe, be well, and know that we are all united in spirit through our love of the arts. Without further ado, please enjoy the 2020-2021 Fine & Performing Arts Virtual Season!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Berosek Coordinator of Fine Arts

O

s ie n dARTS fOFrTHE MAESTRO

BRAVO

$10,000+

$5,000-$9,999

Sneak preview of the 2021-2022 season Name recognition in digital program

The 2020-2021 North Central College Fine & Performing Arts Season is made possible by the generous support of our donors. Make your impact; join Friends of the Arts today and start receiving exclusive benefits.

STANDING OVATION* $1,000-$4,999

ENCORE

PERFORMANCE

OVERTURE

AUDIENCE

$500-$999

$250-$499

$100-$249

$25-$99

IMPRESARIO SOCIETY

Access to Impresario Society exclusive virtual events

*Annual gifts made at the Standing Ovation level and above will also include membership into the North Central College Presidents Club. The Presidents Club consists of donors who make a minimum gift of $1,000 or more to the College. Presidents Club members are invited to the Presidents Club BBQ and the Presidents Club Dinner held each year.

2020-2021 FRIENDS OF THE ARTS

To become a Friend of the Arts visit northcentralcollege.edu/makeagift

MAESTRO

PERFORMANCE

($10,000 OR MORE)

BRAVO ($5,000 - $9,999) Myron Wentz and Prudence Conley Dr. Dwight L. Freshley Ray Kinney Mrs. Tina St. Angelo Wetzel

STANDING OVATION ($1,000 - $4,999) Bangkok Village and Steven and Wijid Fay Mr. and Mrs. W. Brand Bobosky Kristina Bonn Russell Brown Daniel and Christine Bukowski Mrs. Maria Caselli Richard and Janet Coffey Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo Dr. Jillian M. Caliendo Erica Coppolino Jeffrey A. and Alma Coros Nick and Jane Dempsey Beverly Esser Mr. Tom Falcone and Mrs. Denise Falcone Paul and Joanne Fries Dave and Debbie HainesRubenstein President Troy Hammond Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Hendrickson Todd Hester Christine D. and Williams G. Jeffries Mr. and Mrs. Jerald Johnson Twila J. Kaiser Mr. Frank E. Kenney

Tami A. Kidd-Brown and Chris C. Brown William Kottmann Gary and Sharon Kovener Ms. Diane Lewis Paul and Sue Loscheider Brian and Mary Jean Lynch Dr. Greg A. Lynch and Ms. Megan W. Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McMahon Gary M. Moore Shireen Moore New City Church Bev Patterson-Frier Mr. and Mrs. Ron Rolland Karen Solomon Rick and Pat Spencer Leonard and Cathy Vekkos Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wehrli

ENCORE ($500 - $999) Joni Wiltz-Berkley and Ross P. Berkley Mira Chicke Ms. Ashley Chubirka and Mr. Marshall Chubirka Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. Faessel Robert Dunphey Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Harris Candace Kroese Julie A. Lagodney Judith Lane Barbara and Roger Liska Rita M. Mathern Charles Minarik Patricia A. Sonnenschein Theodore Utchen Michael Yahoudy

($250 - $499) Lyle E. Allison Jon Balke In Memoriam of Leslie A. Baumann Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Engelhardt Bruce and Mary Feay Mr. James C. Ferdinandt Suzanne Freshley John Fuglestad Dora Glass Mr. and Mrs. Don Hagmeyer Kim Hahn Cecilia and David Hoh Jennifer Imburgia Jill M. Johnson Elizabeth Kammes Garth and Susan Kennedy Nickole Lanham Daphne C. Lee Dyann Lundberg Thomas and Cheryl McRoberts Dennis Michalak Larry Michelson Mark Milz Gary and Berneil Mroz Mr. William E. Petersen Jonathan Rippe Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Van Buskirk Jon Warfel

OVERTURE ($100 - $249) Adrian and Jacqueline Aldrich Mr. Daniel A. and Mrs. Carol Alfrey Linda J. Allison Floral E. Amy Mr. James R. Barnes Rev. Daniel J. Berger

Jackie Boyd Myron Brubaker Julie Brummel Robert Burlingham James Burner Ms. Nancy Calderon and Mr. Bob Calderon Lynne Caldwell Phillip Callighan Mr. and Mrs. Richard Carney Dann Chamberlin Camillo Conforti Mr. and Mrs. Chris Currie Lois Davenport Al Davis Thomas Dekant Ray Denson William Edson Barbara Esterly Lauren Ford and Jim Weihrouch Ron and Kandi Gasperini Robert Gath Jerilyn Gossett Carolyn Grigereit Susan Haa Estella Hammond Stanley Harr Dennis Henneman Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Hopkin Robert Horne John Hummel Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Hummer Mr. Robert F. Izral Elizabeth Kammes Michael Kelly David Kelsch Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Lamont Gregory and Kristine Larsen David Lesniak

Diane Lewis Emily Lockrem Merton Lueptow Mr. James Maloney The Matesi Family Gary Mattin Matthew McClure Patricia McElhaney Alan and Geraldine Mendelssohn Marisa Miko Brenda Miller Shirley Montalbo Schaffer Catherine Oberfoell Sally Page Olson Mr. and Mrs. John Palter Charles Papanos Gerrie Paulson Amanda Peck Gordon and Virginia Rasmussen Jennifer Richrath Mr. Edward M. Rhyne, Sr. Margaret Ryan Mr. James F. Sanders Rebecca Satterfield James and Maureen Sault John Sauntry Mr. Brian Savage Bethany Schick Georgine Schick Michael Schroeck Mr. Peter M. Sheaffer Avery Sipla Scott Solenberger Steve Tsai Kelsey Tyler Joseph Weigel Richard Wilders Carmen Woodring Patrick John Zeunik

We apologize if we have inadvertently made an error concerning your gift. Please contact the box office at 630-637-7469 so we can correct our records.

ea s o n sSPONSORS

North Central College thanks our Fine & Performing Arts 2020-2021 season sponsors for their generous support.

E L E VAT E YO U R L I F E S T Y L E

Water Street Downtown Naperville

RESTAURANTS: Catch 35 35 S. Washington St., Naperville Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House 55 S. Main St., Naperville (Entrance is on Van Buren) Shakou Naperville 22 E. Chicago Ave. Naperville The Bangkok Village 22 E. Chicago Ave. Suite 122, Naperville Santo Cielo 123 Water St. Suite 509, Naperville

SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen and Reserve Room 123 Water St. Suite 105a, Naperville Smallcakes: A Cupcakery and Decadent Coffee & Dessert Bar 111 E. Ogden Ave. Suite 101, Naperville Two Brothers Barrel House 16 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville

NAPERVILLE HOTELS: Best Western Naperville Inn 1617 Naperville Wheaton Rd. Chicago Marriott Naperville 1801 N. Naper Blvd.

Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Naperville 1155 E. Diehl Rd. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chicago Naperville 1820 Abriter Ct.

Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville 1087 E. Diehl Rd. Hotel Arista 2139 City Gate Ln. Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk 120 Water St. Red Roof PLUS+ Chicago - Naperville 1698 W. Diehl Rd.

Ta ke yo u r co mpa n y CENTER STAGE!

As a corporate sponsor of the Fine & Performing Arts at North Central College, your company has access to a range of benefits tailored to meet your business objectives.

PERFORMING ARTS SEASON SPONSORSHIP Season sponsors help bring world-class artists to the Naperville area each year. Past seasons have featured musical performances by Yo-Yo Ma, Dennis DeYoung, Rick Springfield, Dionne Warwick, Huey Lewis, Scotty McCreery, The Doobie Brothers and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Sp ons ors hip Off ers : Brand exposure via downtown Naperville’s premier performing arts venues Enhanced visibility with an influential and affluent patron demographic Unique print and digital marketing recognition Exclusive client entertaining opportunities

For more information, please contact the Office of Development at development@noctrl.edu or call 630-637-5217.

Sponsored by:

THE LANGSTON HUGHES PROJECT Thursday, February 4 - Wednesday, February 10, 2021

PERFO RMER BIOGRAPHY Dr. Ronald C. McCurdy is professor of music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California (USC) and is past-president of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE). Prior to his appointment at USC, he served as director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at USC. He has served as professor of music and chair of the Afro-African American Studies Department and served as director of jazz studies at the University of Minnesota. In 1997, Dr. McCurdy served as visiting professor of music at Maria-Curie Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland.

In 2001, Dr. McCurdy received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Kansas.

Dr. McCurdy served seven years as director of jazz studies at the University of Kansas. Under the direction of Dr. McCurdy, the University of Kansas jazz program gained national and international prominence. His instrumental and vocal ensembles performed at international and national music conferences and festivals throughout the world.

Dr. McCurdy released his first CD titled “Once Again for the First Time” on the INNOVA label and is co-author of a vocal jazz improvisation series titled “Approaching the Standards”, published by Warner Bros. He is currently touring “The Langston Hughes Project, Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz”. The multimedia presentation features jazz quartet, spoken-word and images from the Harlem Renaissance.

Dr. McCurdy is in demand as a guest clinician, soloist, speaker, and director of honor jazz ensembles and choirs throughout the United States and Canada. He has directed all-state jazz ensembles in New York, Texas, Arizona, Vermont, Nebraska, Ohio, Nevada, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Florida to name a few. Dr. McCurdy received his undergraduate degree from Florida A & M University and his master’s and Ph. D. degrees from the University of Kansas.

Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble and combo. He serves as director of the Walt Disney All-American College Band in Anaheim, Calif. Dr. McCurdy has had an affiliation with the Walt Disney Company for more than 20 years.

A few of the guest artists he has worked with include Wynton Marsalis, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Terence Blanchard, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves. He has served as a member of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp faculty.

Dr. McCurdy is a performing artist for the Yamaha International Corporation.

Tell us what you think!

After the performance, we would love to hear your feedback on your experience and what you hope to see next in our venues. We invite you to take our short survey.

North Central College Fine Arts Survey

UPERFORMANCES pc o m in g Mojo & The Bayou Gypsies Thursday, February 11 - Sunday, February 14, 2021

Naturally 7 Thursday, February 25 - Sunday, February 28, 2021

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers

Lee Rocker of Stray Cats

Thursday, March 11 - Sunday, March 14, 2021

Thursday, March 25 - Sunday, March 28, 2021

Chicago Sinfonietta Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, March 28 - Tuesday, March 30, 2021 *Purchased tickets are required for this event

The Sharpe Family Singers

Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra

Thursday, April 8 - Sunday, April 11, 2021

Thursday, April 22 - Sunday, April 25, 2021

THEATRE PERFORMANCES The Neo-Futurists at NCC February 25, 26 at 7:30 P.M., February 27 at 2 P.M.

What Happened Here

Robert Neary “So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience�

Thursday, May 6 - Sunday, May 9, 2021

MUSIC PERFORMANCES The 33rd Annual Gospel Extravaganza Friday, February 26 at 7 P.M.

Additional academic music performances will be available as the virtual season progresses. For updates, please visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.

March 25, 26 at 7:30 P.M., March 27 at 2 P.M.

Little Women April 29, 30 at 7:30 P.M., May 1 at 7:30 P.M.

For a full season lineup and to reserve tickets visit northcentralcollege.edu/show

We’re here to help.

At BMO Harris Bank, we take pride in our local communities. That’s why, each year, through various sponsorships and community involvement, we are committed to providing our support.

BMO Harris Bank is proud to support North Central College Fine & Performing Arts.

BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC

bmoharris.com

Enriching Life Through The Arts Avenida Naperville proudly supports the arts and how they enrich our lives.

At our 62+ active community, our residents enjoy daily programming tailor-made around a rich offering of events, lectures, and creative and performing arts programs. If you would like to learn more about the Avenida lifestyle, contact us today.

Call today to learn more and schedule a private tour | 630.219.0415 AvenidaNaperville.com • 504 Commons Road, Naperville, IL Our community adheres to CDC, state, and local guidelines for your wellness.

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Energy that inspires nicorgas.com Nicor Gas is a proud supporter of the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts.

Bravo – a standing ovation for another great season! Š 2021 Southern Company Gas. All rights reserved. NG-16304

Doing a world of good in our own backyard™

The arts give our community joy, connection and understanding.

They define and shape us. Artists take us on journeys. Without art, life is less. The arts need our support more now than ever.

DuPage Foundation delivers critical financial resources to our local arts community to improve the quality of life for everyone in DuPage County.

“

“

Donor: George Gilkerson Passions: the Arts, especially local arts organizations

Learn more at dupagefoundation.org/Arts

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Proudly Supports the Arts at North Central College.

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E L E VAT E YO U R L I F E S T Y L E

Water Street Downtown Naperville

Savant is a proud supporter of North Central College Fine and Performing Arts.

Cheers to another great Season!

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To learn more, call for a complimentary consultation today.

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TAKE YOUR COMPANY CENTER STAGE BY

b e c om in g a s p on s or To learn more, contact us at development@noctrl.edu or 630-637-5217.

For ticket information, call the Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/show