BRIDJ WILLIAMS and FRIENDS:

AMERICANA SHOWCASE

We are kicking off this music-filled weekend with yet another CST homecoming! This one may not be as obvious because when Bridj Williams was here, we knew him as Nick Rapley or Ralphie in A Chiristmas Story!

Bridj Williams (Nick Rapley) is a Valparaiso native singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer, and producer.
After a decade living in New York honing his craft, gracing stages such as Radio City Music Hall, he has returned to his home-town to excavate his roots and explore the spiritual nature of his deeper self. The result is his forthcoming record, "Get Help", a diverse and driving 90s americana rock tinged journey of introspection through relationships and life altering events. Imagine Tracy Chapman performing Gin Blossoms hits backed by The Heartbreakers and you've got the Bridj Williams sound. The ultimate vision of his artistic efforts is to redefine masculinity under the lens of emotional intelligence, vulnerability, authenticity and self love.

Jess Ledbetter is a compelling singer/songwriter from Arlington, Texas. A closet songwriter all of her youth, Ledbetter moved to New York City at 18 and earned a degree in Fine Art before being swiftly drawn into the vibrant East Coast music scene. After cutting her teeth in rock and roll, she moved to Austin, TX to practice audio recording. She released her debut solo EP Slow Desert on UK based label Shifting Sounds. In 2021 she relocated once more to Northern Arizona where she began working as an entertainer on the Grand Canyon Railway, a passenger train that travels to the Grand Canyon. Ledbetter began writing what would become her debut full length solo album in partnership with long-time friend and collaborator Nick Rapley. Small Town Forgiveness was self-released on March 15, 2024 and lives as an intimate painting of the Southwest landscape. Ledbetter draws inspiration from The Cure, Nick Drake, Cat Power, The Smiths, Townes Van Zandt, and Neil Young among others. Americana Highways wrote, “Small Town Forgiveness takes you on a journey that’s riding the rails, its imagery and emotion transporting the listener from one stop to the next, each one exhilarating and unforgettable”.

Turner Porter pens country folk songs about Midwestern excess, heartache and big dreams. His style ranges from the mundanity of suburban sprawl to the belly of the post-industrial beast of Detroit living.

New single 'Burnout' is a ragged acoustic country song expressing the trials and tribulations of life on the road and at home. Staying true to the original demo, Porter channeled the desperation of burned out warehouses and homes surrounding his East Detroit residence in stream-of-conscious ramble, evoking a cinematic reflection of where he's at and where he's going.

2023 EP "Chase That Jackrabbit" is a collection of rough and rumble Americana songs defined Porter's former project The Ferdy Mayne and forms the basis of where he's heading. Mixed and mastered by Ben Collins (Minihorse, Frontier Ruckus, Ally Evenson) with a sprinkling of pedal steel by Trevor Sohnen (Cosmic the Cowboy).

BRIGHTHOLD

CST celebrates another homecoming event featuring Carly Blane!

Just Added!

Brendan Scannelll will be stopping by on his way back to LA just long enough to perform a short opening act for fellow alum, Carly. Brendan's show was a sellout in August...if you missed it, stop by and see two CST alums back on our stage!

Brighthold, fronted by Ryan Citrino and CST alum Carly Blane, is an Americana duo based out of Nashville. Ever since they met, they quickly bonded over their shared joy of creating unique experiences for audiences. Music is meant to be shared, and through their high energy performances they’re able to keep audiences entertained while still providing songs that are heartfelt and resonant. Carly and Ryan formed Brighthold while working on a musical production by PigPen Theatre Co. on Virgin Voyages. This past year, they’ve been able to explore a variety of creative outlets. In January, they performed as the house band for “You Can Take The Girl...”, a cabaret which debuted in New York City. In addition, they’ve been working with Carnival Cruise Line performing internationally onboard their fleet of ships.

Fifteen years later, Carly is back to sing on the very stage where she discovered her love of music and storytelling. She was cast in her first CST show as Tom Weasel in The Wind in the Willows. Her other favorites include A Christmas Story, The Jungle Book, and Annie.

The Woman in Black

By Stephen Malatratt

Based on the novel by Susan Hill

Directed by Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano

Assisted by Whitney Perish

Are you brave enough to risk catching sight of the haunting specter …?

The framework of this spine tingler is unusual: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him concerning events that transpired when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There he caught sight of the woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Anyone who sees her dies! The lawyer has invited some friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night. A classic of the genre.

"A real theatrical spine chiller...A truly nerve shredding experience." — The Daily Mail

The Woman in Black is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

CAST

KIPPS...............................Tyler Mills
ACTOR........................Dean Perrine
UNDERSTUDY/VOICEOVER....... Caibhan McClure

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

by Ginna Hoben

Directed by Ashleigh Happer

Co-Director Dona Henry

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for co-workers and friends? Treat them to a night at the theatre!

After seeing her fiancé kiss another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary's life falls apart -- just in time for the holidays. Over the next year, she stumbles back into the dating world, where "romance" ranges from weird and creepy to absurd and comical. It seems nothing can help Mary's growing cynicism, until the charm and innocence of a five-year-old boy unexpectedly brings a new outlook on life and love. This heartwarming one-woman play offers a hilarious and modern alternative to the old standards of the holiday season.

"The play is hilarious. I don't believe I've ever laughed as much (or as audibly)…" Mid-Atlantic Traveler

Content Note: Adult Language

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

Rules for Living

By Sam Holcroft

Directed by Allison Granat

After surviving the holidays, join us for this hysterical farce and watch how a family gets through their Christmas lunch!

Everyone creates their own coping strategies or “rules for living.” But what happens when an extended family gathers in the kitchen for a traditional Christmas and they each follow those rules, rigidly? As long-held mechanisms for survival are laid bare, even Mum, who's been preparing this lunch since last January, becomes embroiled. Time-honored rivalries and resentments will out. Accusations fly, relationships deconstruct, the rules take over. In Sam Holcroft's theatrically playful, dark comedy the instructions are there for all to see, audience included - so there's really no place to hide.

For example:

Rule #1 Matthew must sit to tell a lie

Rule #2 Carrie must stand to tell a joke

Rule #3 Sheena must drink to contradict

...and so it goes and the mayhem increases. Flying food may be involved.

"Bitingly funny and sharply observed.”— Exeunt Magazine

Produced by special arrangement with Casarotto Ramsay and Associates, Ltd, London

Shakespeare in the Park

Shakespeare in Love

Adapted for stage by Lee Hall

Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard

Directed by Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano

July 11, 2025 - One Night Only

Rain Date July 12 at Chicago Street Theatre for reserved area patrons only

Join us for a special performance in the Northwest Health Amphitheater. Spots will be available in reserved seating area for $20 per person. Enjoy prime viewing close to the action.

A free seating area will be available behind the reserved section. Remember, all attendees must bring their own chairs.

Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience as Chicago Street Theatre celebrates the finale of their 70th season!

Food Vendors 6:00 PM

Performance 8:00 PM

Teen Shakespeare Workshop will provide entertainment prior to the show!