Celebrate the rich culture, history, and spirit of the Anishinaabe in a musical theater experience that honors the indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes region. Created by Michael “Laughing Fox” Charette and Severin Behnen with the help of local songwriters and storytellers, this poignant program – which debuted in 2021 – brings together musicians, dancers, performers, and storytellers from numerous Ojibwe Bands of the Lake Superior Chippewa including Red Cliff, Bad River, Fond Du Lac, and Lac Courte Oreilles. Talented Indigenous artists share with us their rich oral tradition through songs and stories, while big screen visuals feature original artwork, beautiful photography, and historical images. Traditional and modern music merge with ancient storytelling while you journey through the legends, history, hardships and triumphs of the Ojibwe people.

Having played to sold-out crowds across the U.S. and abroad, ABBAFAB is a stunning tribute to the music of ABBA. This multimedia production is a tribute to some of the greatest music produced in the 70s and 80s including monster hits such as “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “Honey Honey,” “Dancing Queen” and countless others. From ABBA’s earliest hits to “Mamma Mia,” ABBAFAB will take you on a technicolor journey that is unmatched. Our vocalists and musicians have toured the world as solo artists and band members and have come together to create the most entertaining ABBA tribute on the market today!

Broadway’s Next Hit Musical is the only unscripted theatrical awards show. Have you heard of the TONY awards? Well, Broadway’s Next Hit Musical is…The PHONY Awards! The audience members write down made up song titles and our master improvisers gather these suggestions and present them as “nominated songs” for this coveted award. We create spontaneous scenes and songs filled with great dancing, catchy melodies, and tons of laughter. The audience votes for their favorite song and watches as the cast turns that song into a full blown improvised musical – complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. BNHM has been seen recently throughout the United States and in New York City at The Triad Theater, The Tribeca Film Festival, and at The New York Musical Theater Festival, among many other locations. 

Join us on Friday, February 28^th and Saturday, March 1^st at 7PM for an excellent display of mixed repertoire by our Reif Dance Company and dancers from our ballet program. Choreography by teachers and students alike, this performance is sure to impress. The Reif Dance Company Show, now in its 27^th year, has seen many iterations, but it has striven each year since its inception to push the boundaries of movement and encapsulate the raw abilities of the dancers.

50 YEARS OF JUGGLING AND CHEAP THEATRICS

Expect the unexpected with the Flying Karamazov Brothers, a zany band of flame-throwing, juggling, kilt-and-tutu-wearing eccentrics grace The Reif’s stage in 2025! The group is celebrating its 50th anniversary, having shared laugh-out-loud comedy, wild theatrics and a “stunning spectacle of feats” (Time Out New York Kids) to rave reviews on Broadway and around the world. “As close to a sure thing as can be found onstage,” (The New York Times) the troupe’s wildly popular show, 4PLAY, ensures “nobody leaves the theater without a big grin!”

On March 7, 2025, at 7 PM, the Itasca Symphony Orchestra in partnership with The Reif, will present The Universe at the Symphony, a mesmerizing multimedia concert blending science and music.

The evening will feature three iconic movements from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, and will evoke the sense of wonder found in The Legend of the Northern Lights by composer Christopher Theofanidis, where stories, music, and visuals come together to explain the mysteries of the universe. As in this legend, where a child’s curiosity leads to a deeper understanding of the natural world, this concert seeks to spark that same sense of curiosity and awe.

This performance will be elevated by the visual artistry and talks by Dr. José Francisco Salgado, an Emmy-nominated astronomer and visual artist whose work masterfully bridges the gap between science and art. His stunning visual projections, will include imagery from NASA and the European Space Agency, taking the audience on a celestial voyage through space. Dr. Salgado’s work is not just a scientific exploration but an artistic interpretation that invites the audience to marvel at the beauty of the universe.

Just as humankind has long looked to the night sky for answers, The Universe at the Symphony will inspire you to wonder about the stars, the planets, and the mysteries of space.

Don’t miss this extraordinary event!

Did you hear it?

David Moody had an opportunity to speak with senior Lily Stark about the upcoming Reif performances of ‘Disney’s Newsies Jr.’ The interview aired on KOZY 93.1 FM/AM 1320, as part of the ‘Afternoon Cleanup’ with Joe and Kyle.

If you didn’t catch it on the radio, listen to it here!

Daring kids take on newspaper giants in this toe-tapping underdog story inspired by the 1899 Newsboys’ Strike. Featuring “King of New York,” “The World Will Know,” and more empowering anthems from the original Disney film, this musical will have you singing, dancing, and seizing the day! 

Book by Harvey Fierstein, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Music by Alan Menken

Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White

Disney’s Newsies Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com

One of the first duos to find success in country music, The Bellamy Brothers are known for smash hits such as “Let Your Love Flow” (1976), “I Need More Of You” (1984), and “Old Hippie” (1985). Since the late 1970s, brothers Howard and David have celebrated 10 number-one hits, released more than 30 studio albums, and continue to tour and release new music, showing a new generation of country music how it’s done.

Howard and David continue to prove that the trail they’ve ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself; music that is now celebrating nearly 50 years of success.