ICA 2026 Gala & Concert – “A Night Of Broadway”
By Wes Hessel
The Illinois Conservatory for the Arts invites all to its annual premiere event, “A Night Of Broadway” Gala & Concert, a revue featuring six actors who have shined in theaters on the storied streets, accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra, and all hosted by a seventh with the same outstanding credentials. It is this Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 pm, and the MC is Brittney Mack, who Chicago audiences will remember as Anna of Cleves in the runaway hit North American premiere production in Chicago of “SIX”, about the not-so-merry wives of Henry VIII. She and the rest of the incredible cast moved en masse into the first national tour and then all originated their roles for the electrifying extravaganza on Broadway itself. Alongside for this “herstorical” feat was Samantha Pauly as Katherine Howard, who is now appearing as Jordan Baker in “The Great Gatsby” – Ms. Pauly is one of the six featured in the concert for the benefit.
The other five are no less stellar: Chicago fixture Christine Sherrill, currently playing Donna in “Mama Mia” on Broadway; Michael Longoria, who was in “Hairspray” and portrayed “Jersey Boys” lead Frankie Valli on the Great Bright Way; Kecia Lewis, winner of the 2024 Best Featured Actress Tony for “Hell’s Kitchen”; Joaquina Kalukango, recipient of the 2022 Tony for Best Leading Actress in “Paradise Square”, and 2024 Tony nominee Eden Espinosa for Best Leading Actress in “Lempicka”, as well as one of “Wicked”’s original Elphaba’s.
A DJ-led afterparty will give you a chance to meet the performers in person. Originally slated to be at the The Matrix Club in Naperville, due to an unforeseen conflict, this great night will be now be held at the Hotel Arista, also in Naperville – to join in on the fun and the chance to support the arts in the Western suburbs, please go to ilconservatory.org/events for tickets or more information.
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