Blab Music
Highland Park Players Present Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Amid West Nile Virus Alert and Skokies New Playground
On a warm July evening, the McGrath Performing Arts Center in Wilmette will glow with the story of a songwriter who turned a teenage dream into a timeless legacy. From Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, July 26, the Highland Park Players (HPP) will stage Beautiful: The Carole King Musical—a Tony‑ and Grammy‑winning production that traces King’s ascent from a young lyricist to a celebrated solo artist.
The shows run at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday, with afternoon performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale through the HPP website.
Catherine Davis, who has directed 25 HPP productions, leads the cast. Anna Marie Abbate brings King to life, while Al Katz‑Mariani portrays her collaborator Gerry Goffin. Britain Shutters, Roberto Mata, Robin Treviño, and Kim Buck fill the roles of Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann, Don Kirschner, and Genie Klein, respectively. The Drifters appear as Korey White, Kenny Miller and Aaron Armstrong; The Shirelles are portrayed by Arlecia Stapleton, Destynee Rashanique, Maya Owens, Sydney Aku Wurapa and Asia Posey. A robust ensemble—Joe Dennis, Peter Moeller, Aaron Paul, Vanessa Vuckovic, Natalie Rae, Maddie McDowell, Amanda Walsh, Danielle Piccolomini, Henry Gessner and Gav Casillas—rounds out the musical.
The score, featuring classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” will resonate with audiences familiar with King’s catalog and those discovering her work anew. Producer Scott A. Schwartz said the 2026 season ends on a high note with Beautiful. He noted that after a successful run of RENT last year and a sold‑out season of The Lion King KIDS, the company is excited to bring an uplifting story about one of music’s most iconic songwriters to the community.
While the stage lights shine, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) reports the first West Nile virus‑positive mosquitoes in Highland Park, Kenilworth and Northfield. Mosquitoes collected between July 10 and 13 from traps in those communities tested positive on July 14. Earlier this year, the district also found West Nile virus in traps in Deerfield, Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Niles, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette. The district states that the human risk remains low but urges residents to use EPA‑registered insect repellent, wear loose clothing, avoid peak mosquito feeding times around dawn and dusk, and eliminate standing water.
Meanwhile, Skokie has opened a new playground at Emerson Park. Funded with leftover CARES Act money, the project was completed by July 8, the deadline for the funds. The Skokie Park District says the playground expands opportunities for residents to use outdoor spaces safely, featuring two structures: one for ages 2‑5 and another for ages 5‑12.
The HPP’s Beautiful run reflects a broader trend of regional theatres bringing high‑profile productions to community venues. The McGrath Performing Arts Center—a 29,000‑square‑foot facility on the Loyola Academy campus—has hosted a variety of performances, including the HPP’s previous productions. The musical’s presence in Wilmette adds to the area’s cultural offerings, which also include the NSMAD’s public health outreach and Skokie’s new recreational infrastructure.
For those interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online. The HPP also offers workshops and other programming during the season. Residents can find more information on the HPP website or by contacting the organization directly.
The West Nile virus update underscores the importance of ongoing mosquito surveillance in the North Shore region. The NSMAD’s Mosquito Surveillance Dashboard provides real‑time data on virus prevalence and mosquito populations. Public health officials continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to take preventive measures.
The new Emerson Park playground is expected to serve families across Skokie for years to come, providing age‑appropriate play equipment and a safe environment. The project demonstrates how federal pandemic relief funds can be repurposed for community development.
In summary, the Highland Park Players’ Beautiful offers a celebrated musical experience amid a region attentive to public health and community recreation. The West Nile virus findings and Skokie’s playground launch reflect ongoing efforts to balance cultural enrichment with safety and quality of life for residents.
The shows run at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday, with afternoon performances at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale through the HPP website.
Catherine Davis, who has directed 25 HPP productions, leads the cast. Anna Marie Abbate brings King to life, while Al Katz‑Mariani portrays her collaborator Gerry Goffin. Britain Shutters, Roberto Mata, Robin Treviño, and Kim Buck fill the roles of Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann, Don Kirschner, and Genie Klein, respectively. The Drifters appear as Korey White, Kenny Miller and Aaron Armstrong; The Shirelles are portrayed by Arlecia Stapleton, Destynee Rashanique, Maya Owens, Sydney Aku Wurapa and Asia Posey. A robust ensemble—Joe Dennis, Peter Moeller, Aaron Paul, Vanessa Vuckovic, Natalie Rae, Maddie McDowell, Amanda Walsh, Danielle Piccolomini, Henry Gessner and Gav Casillas—rounds out the musical.
The score, featuring classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” will resonate with audiences familiar with King’s catalog and those discovering her work anew. Producer Scott A. Schwartz said the 2026 season ends on a high note with Beautiful. He noted that after a successful run of RENT last year and a sold‑out season of The Lion King KIDS, the company is excited to bring an uplifting story about one of music’s most iconic songwriters to the community.
While the stage lights shine, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District (NSMAD) reports the first West Nile virus‑positive mosquitoes in Highland Park, Kenilworth and Northfield. Mosquitoes collected between July 10 and 13 from traps in those communities tested positive on July 14. Earlier this year, the district also found West Nile virus in traps in Deerfield, Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Niles, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette. The district states that the human risk remains low but urges residents to use EPA‑registered insect repellent, wear loose clothing, avoid peak mosquito feeding times around dawn and dusk, and eliminate standing water.
Meanwhile, Skokie has opened a new playground at Emerson Park. Funded with leftover CARES Act money, the project was completed by July 8, the deadline for the funds. The Skokie Park District says the playground expands opportunities for residents to use outdoor spaces safely, featuring two structures: one for ages 2‑5 and another for ages 5‑12.
The HPP’s Beautiful run reflects a broader trend of regional theatres bringing high‑profile productions to community venues. The McGrath Performing Arts Center—a 29,000‑square‑foot facility on the Loyola Academy campus—has hosted a variety of performances, including the HPP’s previous productions. The musical’s presence in Wilmette adds to the area’s cultural offerings, which also include the NSMAD’s public health outreach and Skokie’s new recreational infrastructure.
For those interested in attending, tickets can be purchased online. The HPP also offers workshops and other programming during the season. Residents can find more information on the HPP website or by contacting the organization directly.
The West Nile virus update underscores the importance of ongoing mosquito surveillance in the North Shore region. The NSMAD’s Mosquito Surveillance Dashboard provides real‑time data on virus prevalence and mosquito populations. Public health officials continue to monitor the situation and advise residents to take preventive measures.
The new Emerson Park playground is expected to serve families across Skokie for years to come, providing age‑appropriate play equipment and a safe environment. The project demonstrates how federal pandemic relief funds can be repurposed for community development.
In summary, the Highland Park Players’ Beautiful offers a celebrated musical experience amid a region attentive to public health and community recreation. The West Nile virus findings and Skokie’s playground launch reflect ongoing efforts to balance cultural enrichment with safety and quality of life for residents.
