The Orpheum Theatre is relaunching its Red Carpet Series. The series, which began in 2012, brought world-class artists and performers to Galesburg, according to a community announcement. It was discontinued due to a change in leadership and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2025-2026 season, presented by the city of Galesburg, will feature six shows, starting with Cirque Mechanics’ “Tilt!” on Oct. 23. The series will also include performances by the Sharpe Family Singers, The Grand Ol’ Christmas Show, Dinosaur World Live, Chris Ruggiero and UPTOWN: A Celebration of Motown & Soul.
Season subscriptions are available starting at $180, and individual tickets for the 2025 shows start at $34. The Orpheum Theatre is located at 57 S. Kellogg St. in downtown Galesburg.
Red Carpet Series returns
Andrew Driscoll, executive director of the Orpheum Theatre, said re-engaging the Red Carpet Series was a top priority.
“When hired as the new Executive Director last year, I was given excellent direction from the Orpheum’s Board Directors via the Strategic Plan as to how we can better serve the community,” Driscoll said in the announcement. “As I looked at the history of The Orpheum starting with our official reopening in 1988 featuring the incomparable Henry Mancini, world class performances from marquee artists have been a vital part of our programming to stretch the imagination and expectation of patrons. Re-engaging the Red Carpet Series as part of my first full season here became my biggest programming priority.”
Cirque Mechanics kicks off the series
Cirque Mechanics’ “Tilt!” is a new show that takes audiences on a journey through the magic, thrills and nostalgia of America’s 1980s amusement parks. The show features acrobatics, aerial artistry, juggling and mechanical marvels.
At the heart of the spectacle is a giant man-powered Ferris wheel, named after its founder George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., who was born in Galesburg. The story follows a weary amusement park worker whose joy for the job has faded until a chance encounter changes everything, according to the announcement.
The show will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 23, with tickets ranging from $34 to $44. $10 student rush tickets are also available 30 minutes before the start of the show. The show will run approximately two hours, including an intermission.
Student matinee performances
There will be two student matinee performances of a 45-minute abbreviated version of the show, presented as part of the Orpheum’s Youth Entertainment Series. The series gives Galesburg area school children access to free live art and entertainment.
Tickets can be purchased online at GalesburgOrpheum.org, by calling 309-342-2299 or visiting the box office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
This story was created by reporter Abreanna Blose, ablose@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Red Carpet Series returns to Orpheum Theatre