Join Mayor Emeritus Pradel for Friday's 7th Inning Stretch!
Unfortunately Mayor Emeritus Pradel and Bev Frier are under the weather. Thanks to their "pinch hitters" and wishing them speedy recoveries!
“Take me out to the ball game! Take me out with the crowd!”
Do you remember standing up to stretch and sing along with hundreds of your fellow fans? The seventh inning stretch is a favorite memory for many, so we are recreating that tradition in our production of “Bleacher Bums.” We'll be welcoming local celebrities to lead the singing -- starting with Mayor Emeritus George Pradel on Opening Night.
Harry Carray of course started the tradition and many have picked up the microphone since to keep the tradition going. On Opening Night, June 8, our audience will sing along with Mayor Emeritus Pradel. Long-time Naperville folks know that no one can “root, root, root for the home team” like George can! Did you know that Pradel started as a Naperville police officer in 1966, the same year the Summer Place started as Naperville’s community theatre?
Guest seventh inning stretch leaders will be featured at each performance throughout the run, including Nickie Anderson, President and CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and Bev Frier, Co-Chair of the Naperville Senior Task Force.
We are also welcoming special guests to open the show by singing the national anthem. Marilyn DiCola of the Naperville Chorus will sing on June 8 and Murnie Baker of the Tower Chorale on June 9. On June 10, the anthem will be sung by Singria, a quartet with Emily Sites, Kelsey Nichols, Mackenzie Grattan and Emma Gingold, all members of our Summer Place family.
Then it’s “play ball!” for our talented and funny actors on our gorgeous ivy-covered stage set. You're going to feel like you're right there in the "Friendly Confines!" This is a play that will appeal to theatre people, Cubs fans and anyone who is just looking for a fun evening out. “Bleacher Bums – A Nine Inning Comedy” was conceived by Chicago native Joe Montegna and fellow members of the Organic Theatre Company as a nostalgic tribute to the die-hard Cub fans who faithfully filled the bleachers at Wrigley Field long before the 2016 World Series.
Our production of “Bleacher Bums” runs for only two weekends, June 8-9 and June 15-17, in the Naperville Central High School Auditorium. Sundays are matinee performances and remind your church or organization that group rates are available. Get your tickets online now or at the door. We look forward to seeing you "at the old ball game!"