The Times Weekly, Staff
Make Father’s Day weekend memorable with a rock concert and musical all-in-one! Bicentennial Park theatre is excited to present “We Will Rock You” – featuring music by British rock band Queen – on the indoor theatre for two weekends: Friday, June 17 through Sunday, June 19 (Father’s Day!) and June 24 through June 26.
The show runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 pm. Sunday shows are at 2:00 pm. Lobby doors open one hour before showtime. Concessions and cash bar will be available. Tickets are available at the door and online ($15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and seniors, age 60 and over).
The musical is set 300 years in the future, when artificial intelligence has taken over and no more musical instruments remain in the world. The underground, free-thinking Bohemians are searching for the one who will bring live music back. Though this is not the biographical story of Queen’s legendary front man, Freddy Mercury, it is a hero’s story. Two teens, boyfriend Galileo and girlfriend Scaramouche, run away and find themselves leading the rebellion against the government in Ga Ga Land, where everyone thinks and looks the same. The conformists’ shiny matching outfits contrast sharply with the pieced-together looks of the Bohemians, who are searching for bits and pieces of old rock ’n roll history in the wild. Don’t be surprised to find a flower child alongside someone wearing a Pink Floyd t-shirt and a sequin skirt, a guy wearing a Madonna gold bustier or another in a Lady Ga Ga “meat dress.” Though their mixed-up looks merge different rock ‘n roll eras, they are all the on the same quest to be independent thinkers and restore live music.
Their journey is told through Queen’s most popular ballads, such as “I Want to Break Free,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Under Pressure,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and many more. Audience members will get the feel of being at a concert with the live orchestra, surround sound and a runway coming into the audience. Here the actors break what directors call “the fourth wall” by interacting directly with the audience, adding to the immersed feeling of this unique musical and rock concert wrapped into one.
2022 marks the 20th anniversary of “We Will Rock You,” written in 2002 and first performed in London. Park Manager and Joliet City Cultural Affairs Manager, Lori Carmine, was on the stage crew when the national tour came to the Rialto. “It was such a hit with crew and audience alike,” remembers Lori, “I knew then I wanted to bring this powerful show with rich harmonies to our community theatre.” With a cast of over 30, Director Lori is assisted by Orchestra and Vocal Director Mark Epling, Choreographer Lori Bowen, Tech Director and Set Designer Eric Moniger and Costume Designer Elana Carmine – who is Lori’s daughter and studying costume design at college. The park is grateful for the many family members who have helped with costumes, set and props – including the guest appearance of a Harley motorcycle, courtesy of a cast member’s uncle.
“We Will Rock You” is presented through special arrangement with all authorized performance materials supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. The music and lyrics are by Queen. The story and script are by Ben Elton.
Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park and Theatre is located at 201 West Jefferson Street, downtown. Joliet. Plenty of free parking is available within the park and south of Jefferson Street.
For more information, contact Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park: www.bicentenialpark.org,bipark@joliet.gov and 815-724-3761
