north central college fine & performing arts

Whoever balances their music thinks you just want to hear the band. When I go to see a particular singer such as Scotty Mcreery, I want to hear his voice. Needless to say, I couldn't except for the one line he delivered, "Who would have thought that all this would have started with just 10 words: Baby lock the door and turn the lights down low." The band wasn't playing at that point and I could hear his beautiful voice clearly ... and the audience swooned. That was the last and only time I heard him sing through the whole concert.

We always enjoy the performances at North Central College, especially at Wentz or Pfeiffer. The ticket prices are fair- even when the performance is a "biggger name". The student productions are generally not crowded and the quality is superb.

The North Central college offers a great theater experience. The quality of the experience is far and above the price you pay. We go to 3-4 offerings every year with friends. Many very talented alum return to add a professional quality to many plays.

Great shows at a great price. No bad seats and no problem parking. Nice variety of shows to pick from all year.

The Wentz Hall and the Performing Arts Center at North Central College in Naperville is a real gem....Look in the paper for upcoming events as there are some very good musical and arts events with "bigger names" for a small college.

North Central College invested in a wonderful performing arts center a few years ago and we have attended several events there. They have both high quality offerings presented by local and collegiate groups as well as professional musicians. The venue is first class and it is in downtown Naperville, so it is easy to walk a few blocks and share a great meal before or after a performance.

The new performing arts center at Wentz Hall is very lovely, and a great value for the theater goer. All too often, theater is overly expensive, but not so here.

If you have the chance to hear a concert in this venue, do go. The acoustics are wonderful, the seats are comfortable, and the place is small enough that there really are not any bad seats.The atrium is beautiful and provides a pleasant meeting place if you are meeting others before the show.The only issue is parking -- so if you are from out of town, do a little research to figure it out before going.

I'll preface this by saying I am a Member of the Presidents Club and a resident in the Historic District which North Central College is a close neighbor. The shows and performances at Pfeiffer Hall and Wentz Hall are great values. Well done events in venues that keep one really engaged. Pfeiffer Hall is eclectic and historic, but has great acoustics. Wentz Hall is a new feature for NCC that has a more modern theatre feel but with more infancy.

This complex includes the Wentz Concert Hall, Madden Theater, Pfeiffer Hall and Meiley-Swallow Theater. The Wentz and Madden are new constructions (mid 2000s) with interesting, modern architecture, located on Chicago Avenue just as the road tips to go into the Downtown Area. The Wentz, which seats approx. 600 people, has world class acoustics and design and attracts big names - Chicago Symphony Orchestra - as well as smaller performing musicians. The Madden Theater - the Blackbox Theater - is located in the same building on the west side and is used for contemporary theater and jazz performances. The Pfeiffer Hall is a much older classical stage theater (with curtains/wings). Some local performers say it is past its best from a performance perspectives, although the audience side of the theater is still attractive. It is located in the heart of the North Central College area on Benton Avenue. The final venue is a converted church. The Meiley-Swallow Theater seats about 300 in an intimate setting due to the Thrust Stage, and offers smaller plays, musicals and individual performers play here. All of the venues are excellent from an audience perspective, are close to downtown for pre- or post-dining or drinking and between them offer a real great menu of choices. Almost every night there is something going on somewhere.

Jim Brickman is always a treat in concert. In this "Just Jim" show, he played favorites and some new material, always putting his passion out there for all to share .... he relates to the audience - you feel like he's playing in your living room ... he's just so comfortable with the audience and the music. The small venue kept it cozy, yet the music was Carnegie Hall quality.Always looking forward to his shows!

We took grandchildren (ages 6-12) and they loved it There were only four actors and they did the narrative in addition to their role. No problem.

Lots of well known performers- also check out the college shows; some great new talents there as well

a generous alum paid for this world class auditorium to hear first class performers.acoustics as god as anywhere in usa

The college has a state of the art performance venue and other adjacent venues. It provides a varied program of big name music, drama and the arts. It has a fine jazz faculty and student and faculty jazz performances are way above what one would normally expect. I have been a subscriber to the jazz concert series since it began.