I think you’ll agree with me when I tell you Valparaiso is a community that loves its downtown culture, arts, and entertainment, so we couldn’t be more excited to explore one of Valpo’s favorite venues, the Chicago Street Theatre. You’ll learn the theatre’s unique story and why actor and director Eric Brant believes the theatre has an edge over big city theatres. Finally, we spotlight Griegers Motors newest headliner, the redesigned 2019 Jeep Cherokee.
So, without further a due… lights, cameras, action!
Valpo’s Chicago Street Theatre: Cool Car…No Boundaries.
Meet Eric Brant. Life-long Valpo resident. Valpo University Graduate and veteran of the Chicago Street Theatre for nearly 40 years. When it comes to the Valpo Theatre scene, Eric has done it all. Actor, stagehand, producer, director and board member. Eric is a thespian…and Eric has swag!
According to Eric, Valpo has an edge over many big city theatres in Indianapolis and of Chicago.
C’Mon Man! Really?
Brant believes art and theatre require an uncompromised edge. According to Brant, “with less pressure to sell-out, as with large venues, we (Chicago Street Theatre) can really push the envelope, take risks, and appeal to live theatre.” Brant has a point. Just look at history’s great rock bands that lose their artistic edge when they hit the pop charts. Their music looses the artistic rawness that made them cool. Bands like U2, REM and the B52’s. Most bands lose their artistic edge when they are expected to appeal to the masses or sell out venues.
Watch Eric Brant’s interview… Discover why Valpo’s got an edge over big city theatre!
Community Players. Brant might believe having an edge gives the Chicago Street Theatre uncompromised values, but he sings a different song when it comes to the theatres commitment to supporting community causes. The Chicago Street Theatre often collaborates with Valpo’s downtown restaurants and local businesses to help support local charities. Just recently, the Chicago Street Theatre collaborated with Griegers Motors and don Quijotie as a means of raising money for the “Pink Ribbon Foundation.”
Pink Ribbon’s Ann Peters approached Dave Rodgers (Griegers), Carlos Rivero (don Quijotie) and the Chicago Street Theatre for help. The three Valpo businesses combined resources and donated a dinner and a show package as an innovative means of raising money and awareness for the foundation.
Shakespeare in the Park is another example of community collaboration. Shakespeare in the Park is now a tradition at Valpo’s Central Park Amphitheatre. It exemplifies Valpo’s love for arts and entertainment.
5 Remarkable Live Performances at Valpo’s Chicago Street Theatre
On Stage October 5 – 27
Evil Dead, The Musical. Don’t miss this fun-loving musical parody of Sam Raimi’s classic Evil Dead films. When a group of fresh-faced college kids go to a cabin in the woods for spring break, it’s only a matter of time before spells are spoken and demonic possession begins. Splash zone alert! Poncho’s available.
Nov 23—Dec 16, 2018
A Charlie Brown Christmas. Experience the Peanuts characters everyone knows and loves brought to life on stage. Featuring the song, “Christmas Time is Here,” and the music of Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the perfect way to ring in the holidays.
SUNDAY, December 9, 2018
Christmas meets Classic Rock as we welcome back this Chicago area favorite group for another special all ages holiday concert. Last year was a sell-out, so plan early!
Jan 18—Feb 2, 2019
Keely and Du. From the author of Talking With, here is an explosive and controversial drama. Du, a right-to-life activist, and Keely, a pregnant rape victim Du is confining, transcend their circumstances and the ideological issues that separate them. Keely and Du is a mind-probing issue play with a gripping human face. Who is accountable? What is the extent of individual freedom? What are a rape victim’s rights? What are a Christian’s realities of procreation? Their passionate stories exist on the extreme edge of everyday reality.
March 1—17, 2019
Bedtime Stories. It’s Dad’s turn to tell his three rambunctious kids their bedtime stories, but when he gets fuzzy on the details, the classics get creative: a prince with a snoring problem spices up The Princess and The Pea, The Boy Who Cried Wolf cries dinosaur instead, and Rumpelstiltskin helps turn all that pesky gold into straw. You may think you know your fairy tales, but not the way Dad tells them.
To learn more about upcoming events, children’s education & theatre, and ticket information for at the Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso-scroll just below Eric’s review of the redesigned 2019 Jeep Wrangler by Griegers Motors in Valpo.
Tough Critic? Brant reviews the 2019 Jeep Cherokee
Brant knows what it is like to be on the wrong end of a critics review, so when we offered Valpo’s long running theatre aficionado the chance to trade-in his acting role for the chance to play critic, he jumped at it.
In August’s Cool Car…No Boundaries Blog, I described the Jeep Wrangler as the quintessential Jeep. Based on the popularity of the 2018 Jeep Cherokee in Valparaiso, I would consider the previous generation Cherokee the quintessential “Valpo Jeep.” Just spend the day in downtown Valpo and see how many Cherokee’s adorn Valpo’s outdoor dining scene. Clearly a fan favorite. Luxurious interior with a sporty flair. A stylish SUV with the confidence of All-wheel Drive. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is both Sexy and Cool. Could the redesigned 2019 Jeep Cherokee live up to the previous generation? Does Brant feel the new Jeep has enough edge to be a modern rock star? How will it stand-up to Brant’s review?
Ready on the set….Action!
At first glance, the all new Jeep Cherokee looked the part of rugged, sophisticated Jeep. But Hollywood is a mecca of actors that look good on the exterior, but fall short in their performance. How will the newly designed Jeep handle in the urban jungle we call the Vale of Paradise? Will it be a rising star in the who’s who of cool cars parked in Valpo’s downtown? Will it earn Brant’s critically acclaimed thumbs up, or will he disseminate discontent? (See Video below for Brant’s Review)
Like so many Box Office celebrities that reinvent their careers with a facelift, the redesigned Jeep Cherokee is turning heads with its new look. Car and Driver said, While the Cherokee’s nose job is technically a simple restyling, it’s the kind of change that rights a wrong, accompanied by a sense of relief to finally see it corrected.
The Cherokee’s new LED headlamps are standard, and while the grille’s seven slots are still chamfered, they’re blunter and stronger-looking. New front bumpers are noticeably different on all but the Trailhawk models, which still brandish their signature red tow hooks, smile-shaped graphic treatment, and serious approach angle—now 29.9 degrees—only now the foglights occupy real estate formerly assigned to the headlamps.
Take a Bow.
Eric isn’t the only critic that gives the redesigned Jeep a resounding thumbs up. Just check out what Car and Driver said, the Cherokee has offered true off-road ability and Jeep bona fides in one of the most contested segments in the business. While the Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson are strong contenders, the Cherokee’s numerous improvements, available V-6 and new turbo four engines, and extensive styling correction should make it a tougher competitor than ever. For off-roading enthusiasts, it may be the only choice.
Cars.com gave the 2019 Jeep Cherokee its highest rating of 5 stars with 114 reviews and designated the fan favorite as its #1 Most Popular SUV/Crossover. Cars.com gave the Jeep its high praise with a range between $24,545-$37,995…. But it pays to stay in Valpo, where Griegers Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram is premiering the Jeep at $21,878 (at the time of posting) during its limited engagement Adventure Days.
https://youtu.be/JZtKDRa-aRk
According to Grieger’s Internet Manager, Justin Carlson, “ the new Jeep design might be the talk of Valpo, but the previous Cherokee design still remains an attractive choice for folks searching for the value of a certified pre-owned or used Cherokee. The popularity of this new design has generated a spike in trade-ins.
That’s a Wrap!
More reading:
Cool Car….No Boundaries. Your Blog for Fun things to do in Northwest Indiana.
- The Valpo live music scene: Cool Car… No Boundaries
- Top 21 things to do in Northwest Indiana in 2019: Cool Car…No Boundaries
- Top 11 tips for a remarkable Holly Days: Cool Car…No Boundaries
- Valpo Museum Ambitious Exhibit Revealed: Cool Ram Truck…No Boundaries
- 5 Tips to live entertainment in Valpo: Cool Jeep…No Boundaries
- 11 Fun tips for your most remarkable Popcorn Festival: Cool Car…No Boundaries
- 3 Fun Things to do in Northwest Indiana: Cool Car… No Boundaries
Encore!
Children’s Theatre Works & Resident Ensemble Project
Chicago Street Theatre is committed to education. Since 1994, we have offered young artists a comfortable, safe environment for exploring their creative side, both on stage and behind the scenes. In 2008, Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano joined CST as the Director of Education in an effort to expand and professionalize our offerings. Lisa earned an M.F.A. from the Actors Studio Drama School in NYC, and she currently also teaches at Columbia College-Chicago
Single Tickets and Groups
| Single Tickets | Adults | 62+/Vets | Students (21&under) | Groups 10+ | The Couch (min 2) |
| Charlie Brown | $20 | $17 | $15 | $12 | $25 per person |
| Bedtime Stories | $15 | $12 | $12 | $10 | $25 per person |
| All other shows | $20 | $17 | $17 | $15 | $30 per person |
CHICAGO STREET THEATRE • 154 W CHICAGO ST • VALPARAISO, IN • (219) 464-1636
Special guest Eric Brant is Director of Marketing -Chicago Street Theatre. Eric has been a member of Chicago Street for more than 30 years as an artist, volunteer, actor, board member, and now he takes on his most exciting role–Director of Marketing. Past directoral projects include CST’s productions of Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Secret Garden, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe?, The Hot L Baltimore, Camping with Henry and Tom, and The Man Who Came to Dinner. As an actor, he has appeared in A Christmas Story, A Tuna Christmas, The Birthday Party, Coyote on a Fence, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, The Angels of Lemnos, Buried Child, Frost/Nixon, and The Cherry Orchard. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University and worked as a therapist with Porter Starke Services for nearly 15 years. He is also an accomplished illustrator and painter. His favorite role is that of father to Lauren and Nicholas and husband to Traci.
The Author: Jim Jano Janesheski
Nobody loves promoting Restaurants, Events, and Fun Things to do more than Jim Jano. So when Griegers asked this hyper-creative guy to write a monthly blog about cruising and the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, he had 2 conditions….“ Give me a cool car, and no boundaries”
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