Reif Arts Council

Bah! Humbug!

One of the greatest stories in the history of English literature, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has enchanted audiences the world over and become a best beloved Christmas tradition for families everywhere. This powerful tale of redemption follows Ebenezer Scrooge on his epic journey from nasty curmudgeon to benevolent saint.

CMI Entertainment, in collaboration with Entertainment Central Productions Orlando, is thrilled to return to its roots with a beautiful version of this classic tale.

Tour 2024 is written and directed by award-winning theatre artist Scott H Severance, who has traveled the country for over 10 years spreading Holiday joy as Uncle Scrooge. This dazzling new adaptation bursts onto the stage with first class professional actors, gorgeous costumes, stunning sets and puppetry.

More than two dozen timeless Christmas carols are woven throughout this glorious production, the ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Present, and Future are alternately horrifying and hilarious, and you will find yourselves awestruck and spellbound by the tremendous humor and heartfelt sentiment on display in this spectacular theatre event.

Celebrate the true Spirit of Christmas with this splendid show, filled with haunting special effects and an enormous dose of laughter. A Christmas Carol is delightful and thoroughly entertaining, the perfect Holiday event for all ages.

Recreated from the classical ballet by Tchaikovsky, and performed by the superb Reif Dancers, The Nutcracker tells the enchanting story of young Clara who dreams that her nutcracker doll is transformed into a valiant prince. After defeating the evil Mouse King and his army, they are transported to the fantastical Land of Sweets where they are welcomed by a host of delectable characters. A Reif holiday tradition like no other!

Get ready to crank your holiday spirit all the way up! 

Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular is a Las Vegas-caliber, multimedia, full-production show that mixes an 8-piece band with music, comedy, parodies and even a game show! Join an all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through timeless holiday classics and bring new takes on hit songs you didn’t even know were holiday classics. The line-up of musicians is truly legendary as Paul “Stretch” Diethelm and Ted Manderfeld are joined on stage by vocalists Pamela McNeill, Stacy Bauer, and Tim Haussner, and backed by bassist Mike Zeleny, saxophonist and flutist Mike Kreitzer and drummer Billy Thommes.

You’ll hear Christmas standards like “Silent Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree,” “The Little Drummer Boy” and many more like you’ve never heard them performed before!

 This event is not eligible for any discounts.

Beginning in Minneapolis over twenty years ago, Adi and Rebecca’s paths crossed regularly in the recording studio as artists and producers. Rebecca had been benefitting from Adi’s amazing arrangements for her projects, and Adi had regularly been having Rebecca put together session players. They decided to make their collaboration official by co-founding STRINGenius. 

Since that time, they have honed their approach of organic and seamless music-making and music contracting, with Rebecca’s company, RDA Productions, providing contracting administrative services. Adi and Rebecca are grateful to the amazing community of musicians they partner with on a regular basis, and are always looking for new and exciting projects and collaborations.

The Beach Boys created pure magic using soaring, definitive harmonies that lead to an astonishing twenty-two Top 10 hits. Their career spanned over two decades and would place them with Rock ‘n’ Roll royalty as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. Among groups of the ‘60’s, the “California quintet” placed second only to The Beatles in overall impact on the Top 40. Surf, sand, sun, and fun!  America’s Beach Boys are the “sound” of summer. Relive the magic of every hit with spot on vocals and tight melodies as Justin Ploof and his crew Surf USA, Get Around, Help Rhonda, bring some Good Vibrations, and so much more!

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. 

The Reif Dance Company was established in 1994 and is made up of our most dedicated dancers who audition to be a part of The Company each fall. Members of the The Company serve as representatives of Reif Dance, providing motivation and incentive for all developing young artists.

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 four 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!

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.

Back by popular demand, don’t miss Transit Authority in their premier tribute to the legendary rock band Chicago! This fantastic band presents sold-out shows across the nation performing Chicago’s #1 hits and arena rock power ballads including “Saturday In the Park,” “Just You and Me,” “Wishing You Were Here,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Feelin’ Stronger Every Day,” “Old Days,” “If You Leave Me Now” and many more! 

Hailed by The Washington Post as “one of Nashville’s finest song interpreters,” Kathy Mattea has enjoyed much success and acclaim during her 35-year career in Country, Bluegrass and Folk music, including 2 Grammy wins, 4 CMA Awards, 4 #1 country singles, and five gold albums (plus a platinum Greatest Hits collection). Her latest album is “Pretty Bird,” produced by her old friend, roots music wizard Tim O’Brien. The wide-ranging collection of songs chronicles a period of rededication to singing, digging back in with a vocal coach and emerging with a poignant and eclectic CD.  In addition to creating and recording music and performing live on tour, Kathy is increasingly involved with public broadcasting, consulting and contributing on screen in Ken Burns’ 2019 documentary for PBS “Country Music,” and recently replacing founder Larry Groce as the host of the long-running NPR show “Mountain Stage.”