@ RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
December 22, 2023 @ 7:30p
Singer and playwright Lisa Rock and her 6-piece band are keeping The Carpenters’ holiday traditions alive with spot-on renditions of their unforgettable Christmas tunes.
While The Carpenters are known for over a dozen chart-topping hits, they also won over their fans with their Christmas celebrations. Singer and playwright Lisa Rock and her 6-piece backing band are keeping The Carpenters’ holiday traditions alive and bringing their unforgettable Christmas songs to the stage. Based on the music of The Carpenters’ two-holiday albums and Christmas variety shows, A Carpenters Christmas featuring “Merry Christmas Darling” and the jazzy “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” it’s a holiday concert that spreads joy and cheer to all.
Lisa Rock
Lisa Rock has been performing to sold-out crowds for years. She’s written more than 25 original concerts and cabarets that have been seen across the country, including Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters and A Carpenters’ Christmas. Now, she has arranged a 6-piece band and together they are dedicated to creating a Carpenters’ experience like no other. Rock’s amazing four octave range allows her to sing the hits like “We’ve Only Just Begun” and “Close to You” in their original key, keeping the songs genuine and more recognizable for the audience. “When she hits the lower range of her marvelous voice,” notes critic Alan Bresloff, “if you close your eyes, you can see Karen Carpenter’s face.”
Since starting the Close to You show in 2010, the band has been seen by over 250,000 people in 40 states and they have played nearly 400 shows together. They continue to give back to each local community through donations to local food banks and pantries and have proudly donated over 150,000 meals. She is also the proud owner of Lisa Rock Entertainment (www.lisarockentertainment.com) booking and managing hers and 4 other national touring bands.
For more visit lisarockentertainment.com
Tina Naponelli
Backing Vocals / Percussion
Tina Naponelli is a Crystal Lake, IL native and is so excited to be singing with Close To You! She is a proud graduate of North Central College where she studied Theatre Performance. Since graduating she has created and performed countless cabarets and shows. She also created and is touring nationally with her “Tapestry Unraveled: The Music of Carole King” show.
Ian Letts
Saxophone / Flute / Clarinet / Harmonica
Ian Letts is an in demand saxophonist in the Chicagoland area. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with degrees in Jazz Performance and Music Education. Ian has had the privilege of studying with saxophone professors Stephen Duke, Rich Moore, and Geof Bradfield, as well as other jazz faculty members including Ron Carter, Art Davis, Kelly Sill, Fareed Haque, Willie Pickens, Tom Garling, and Rodrigo Villanueva. While attending NIU, Ian performed in the NIU Jazz Ensemble for two years where he had the fortune to perform with high caliber jazz artists such as Randy Brecker, Ernie Watts, Victor Lewis, Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Davis, Brian Lynch, Paquito D’Rivera, and Terrell Stafford. Ian is currently a member of the Pete Ellman Big Band and the Jose Valdez Mambo All-Stars.
Joey Zymonas
Drums / Bass / Guitar / Keyboard / Coronet
Joey Zymonas is a versatile musician who plays piano, keyboard, drums, bass, and guitar in both the Close to You show and A Carpenters’ Christmas. He performs on stage and in the pit for musical theater throughout the Chicago area. He has most recently served as Music Director for DUKE ELLIINGTON’S GREATEST HITS at Music Theater Works. He is also the house pianist for a 1920s-style speakeasy in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Ken McMullen
Music Director / Piano
Ken McMullen is a professional musician in the Chicago area performing theatre and cabaret shows for numerous venues such as Theatre at the Center, Drury Lane Oakbrook, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Davenports, and various other theatres. He is also the principle pianist at the Lincolnshire Academy of Dance and teaches private piano and voice. Ken is honored to be part of this great band.
Jenna Payne
vocals
Jenna Payne is happy to be back caroling with A Carpenters Christmas! Previous Raue Center credits include A Little Night Music: The Music of Stephen Sondheim, Beehive the 60s Musical (WSRep), and First Date (WSRep). Jenna has performed around the Chicagoland area in productions of Fancy Nancy (Northbrook TYA), Little Red Riding Hood (Theatre at the Center), Ring of Fire (Metropolis) and more! @jennalpayne
Jeremy Montoto
Bass/Guitar
Jeremy Montoto is an established bass player having played with several bands including Suburban Cowboys as well as 80s Night Out. He has been playing in several musicals at Metropolis most recently including Xanadu and Ragtime. Love to his family!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Paul, board president
John Jacobsen, vice president
Chuck Stevens, treasurer
Luanne Flavin, secretary
John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Jerry Trachsler
Stacey McInerney
Volunteer Liaison
RAUE CENTER STAFF
Richard Kuranda
Raue Center CEO & Founding Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory
Justin Wellington
Managing Director
Jenna Klaproth
Operations Manager
Meredith Schaefer-Flowers
Director of Marketing &
Institutional Advancement
Michele V. Knight
Marketing Manager
James Knight
Economic Development Manager
Rob Scharlow
Raue Center School for the Arts
Director of Education
Maribeth Ling
Front of House Manager
Chris Tumblin
Raue Center Director of Production
Ryan Meadow
Raue Center Production Manager
Robin Hughes
Executive Producer / Production Manager
Box Office Staff
Dan Cosgray
Naomi Unverzagt
About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.
For additional information follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.
