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3 Shows You’ve Gotta See This Summer

If you or someone you love has been known to sing along with the radio, listen up. Rave On Productions’ 2022 Summer Series has three shows that I’m pretty sure you won’t be able to resist singing along to. If your kids singalong as well, all the better. These shows are for the whole family.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Rave On Productions. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.

Who’s Rave On Productions?

If you’re fairly familiar with live music and theater in Omaha, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of Billy McGuigan. And if you haven’t heard of Billy, you’ve at least heard of “Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience.”

Billy and his team are Rave On Productions.

Rave On Productions tours shows like “Rave On!” among many other traveling productions. And, they’re based here in Omaha. And lucky for Omaha, they pick unique venues for each of their shows to create one-of-a-kind experiences live. And they call that…the Omaha Series.

(They also do an awesome arts academy here in Omaha that my kids love, but that’s another story)

The Omaha Series & Omaha Summer Series

The Omaha Series is a season of shows produced in venues around the Omaha metro. Each performance and venue create a unique experience to best serve the show and the audience. This summer, the two venues are SumTur Amphitheater and Scottish Rite.

Having seen shows at both places over the years, I’m excited about these upcoming offerings. I especially love seeing shows and concerts at SumTur. Bring a long chair or blanket and just chill out in the cozy atmosphere. And no one seems to mind if my kids wander the grass patch. It’s like a park, but with way better acoustics.

The great things about the Omaha Summer Series shows at SumTur Amphitheater, “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “Pop Rock Orchestra”? Kids 5 and under get in for FREE to those shows!

Don't Stop Me Now! A Celebration of Rock Musicals

“Don’t Stop Me Now”

When: June 9-11 at 8 p.m.

Where: SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, Neb.

This show is especially for the rock musical fan, but even if you can’t name a rock musical, you’ll know these songs. “Don’t Stop Me Now” is an energetic concert featuring iconic songs from musicals like “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Jersey Boys,” “Mamma Mia,” “Hair,” “Rent” and more!

The cast of
Photo courtesy Rave On Productions

Featuring a powerhouse cast of vocalists backed by Billy McGuigan’s rock band, the show is like a rock musical journey through time. It’s the first show I saw during the pandemic and you can’t help but sing along.

Tickets for lawn or bleacher seating are $25 each, and don’t forget, kids under 5 are FREE. Bring chairs if you plan on sitting in the lawn section.

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka

“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka”

When: July 22-31; performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Where: Scottish Rite, 202 S. 20th St.

“Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka” is a family-friendly musical with a cast of young performers and classic songs like “Pure Imagination” and “Oompa-Loompa-Doompadee-Doo.” Like the movie, Roald Dahl’s timeless story features the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir.

The enigmatic Scottish Rite stage is a perfect location for this performance!

Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for kids 5 and under.

Billy McGuigan's Pop Rock Orchestra

“Billy McGuigan’s Pop Rock Orchestra”

When: Aug. 18-20 at 8 p.m.

Where: SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 S. 108th St., Papillion, Neb.

The final show of the Omaha Summer Series will star Billy McGuigan! The all-ages show takes the audience through decades of classic gems that influenced Billy – think of Elvis’ ’68 Comback Special behind, the Moody Blues who put symphonic interludes in the middle of a rock song, and ELO with an electric horn and string section.

It’s not just Billy on stage, though. He’s backed by a rock orchestra, too!

Tickets for lawn or bleacher seating are $25 each, and don’t forget, kids under 5 are FREE. Bring chairs if you plan on sitting in the lawn section.

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