Highland Park Players Stage Carole King Musical, While West Nile Virus and New Skokie Playground Highlight Local Community Updates
The final curtain is set on the Highland Park Players’ rendition of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, playing from July 23 to 26 at the McGrath Performing Arts Center in Loyola Academy, Wilmette. Directed by Catherine Davis, the production stars Anna Marie Abbate as the eponymous songwriter and Al Katz‑Mariani as her first‑time collaborator, Gerry Goffin.
Performances run 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (July 23‑25) and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (July 25‑26). Tickets are on sale through the Highland Park Players website. The show traces King’s ascent from teenage songwriter to chart‑topping solo artist, featuring her own classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Director Davis expressed enthusiasm: “I am thoroughly thrilled to be returning to Highland Park Players, having directed 25 HPP productions in the past. I am especially excited for audiences to experience the incredible story and the chart‑topping music Carole King wrote both for legendary artists and for herself.” Producer Scott A. Schwartz added, “Our 2026 season is ending on a high note with ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’. After our award‑winning production of ‘RENT’ last year, this year and a sold‑out run of ‘The Lion King KIDS’ earlier this year, we’re thrilled to bring audiences this uplifting and inspiring story centered around one of music’s most iconic songwriters.”
The ensemble includes Britain Shutters as Cynthia Weil, Roberto Mata as Barry Mann, Robin Treviño as Don Kirschner, and Kim Buck as Genie Klein. The Drifters are portrayed by Korey White, Kenny Miller and Aaron Armstrong, while The Shirelles are played by Arlecia Stapleton, Destynee Rashanique, Maya Owens, Sydney Aku Wurapa and Asia Posey. Additional cast members feature Joe Dennis, Peter Moeller, Aaron Paul, Vanessa Vuckovic, Natalie Rae, Maddie McDowell, Amanda Walsh, Danielle Piccolomini, Henry Gessner and Gav Casillas.
In public‑health news, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District released a July 14 surveillance report confirming West Nile virus in mosquito samples collected July 10‑13 from traps in Highland Park, Kenilworth, Morton Grove and Northfield. Positive samples also appeared in Deerfield, Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood, Niles, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette. Officials note the human risk remains low but advise residents to use EPA‑registered insect repellent, wear loose clothing, avoid peak feeding times around dawn and dusk, and eliminate standing water.
Meanwhile, Skokie celebrated the opening of a new playground at Emerson Park, funded in part by leftover CARES Act money that needed to be used by July 8. The Skokie Park District said the project “advances the public purpose of the CARES Act by expanding opportunities for residents to safely utilize outdoor recreational spaces.” The facility contains two structures: one for ages 2‑5 and another for ages 5‑12.
These three local stories illustrate the breadth of community activity in the North Shore. The Highland Park Players’ musical brings a celebrated American songwriter’s legacy to the stage, the mosquito surveillance highlights ongoing public health monitoring, and the new playground demonstrates continued investment in family‑friendly public spaces.
For more information on the Highland Park Players, visit www.highlandparkplayers.org. Residents seeking updates on West Nile virus surveillance can consult the NSMAD Mosquito Surveillance Dashboard. Skokie residents can learn more about Emerson Park through the Skokie Park District website.
