Hey, kids, put on your cowboy hats and boots and round up your friends Buzz, Bo Peep and Buzz Lightyear.

Grab some grub, a blanket and your parents and head on down to the Normal Amphitheater on May 16. The movie "Toy Story" will be shown on the big inflatable screen.

It's the first in a variety of summer entertainment for children and adults at the new theater nestled between Constitution Trail and the parks and recreation office and garage at 611 S. Linden St.

Other events will include live bands, storytellers and summer theater productions.

"The goal was to make sure we resurrected an outdoor theater to accommodate the high school summer theater program," said Colette Farner, youth/cultural arts supervisor for parks and recreation. "On top of it, we can utilize it in so many other ways to provide entertainment for the community."

The parks and recreation department has been working toward a permanent home for the high school summer theater program since the Maxwell Outdoor Theater was destroyed by fire in 2002.

"We've been theater-homeless since that time," said program manager Susan Cortesi. Rehearsals and productions have been at a variety of venues including both Unit 5 high schools.

While the high schools have been "marvelous about providing space," Cortesi said, "I'm excited about having our own home."

The nearly $300,000 amphitheater is much more sophisticated than the Maxwell Park theater.

It includes two restrooms for performers, sound equipment, lighting, a staging area and an orchestra area on the east side. The lawn in front has been terraced for seating.

Summer Theater Supporters raised $50,000 through concession stand sales and a fundraiser to purchase the sound equipment, lights and an electric piano.

The location wasn't the town's first choice. Originally, officials were eyeing One Normal Plaza for the amphitheater.

That plan was abandoned because of the high cost of building a theater with the same architectural character of other buildings at the site.

"In the long run, I think (the chosen site) was meant to be," said Farner. "It's a secluded, nice quiet setting and great for the community. You can access it from so many ways - walking, riding a bike or driving."

Cortesi hopes the location will attract new theater-goers who happen to be passing by on the nearby Constitution Trail.

The high school summer theater program will perform two productions at the amphitheater this summer.

"Urinetown," a comedy about a town forced to ban private toilets because of a water shortage caused by a 20-year drought, and "Thoroughly Modern Millie, a musical about young Millie Dillmount who moves to New York in search of a new life.

"Urinetown" will take over the stage June 20 through 22 and 25 through 29 and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be July 17 through 20 and 23 through 27. The dates of the shows were incorrect in the parks and recreation brochure recently mailed to residents.

The amphitheater also will be the home for the children's summer theater program, Farner said. That program previously took place at nearby Underwood Park.

In between practices and productions by the high school and children's theater program, Farner has packed in a variety of free events for the community.

"Dress-up Movie Nights" will take place once a month. They will be geared toward families and children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the movie.

"A lot of kids have costumes or toys associated with movies," Farner said. "They're encouraged to bring them. They can get on stage (and pretend act) before the movie starts."

All children 10 and younger also will receive a prize at each movie. Sheriff's badges, a la the one Woody wears in "Toy Story," will be given out on that movie night. Popcorn, water and soda will be sold for $1 each. The movies are free.

The free summer concert series begins May 18 with music by Hip Pocket at 4 p.m. Farner said there will be at least two or more concerts or other forms of entertainment a month.

In addition, Twin City Tail Spinners will offer a storytelling program for kids at 2 p.m. each Wednesday afternoon in June. There will be a different book each week and a corresponding craft project. The program will be free.

Farner said other things also may be scheduled. Originally, officials planned to offer the amphitheater to the public for rentals, but that idea is on hold until they get through one full summer/fall season and see how much free time is available.

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The line-up

Listed is the current line-up for events at the Normal Amphitheater. Additional entertainment may be added. All events are free except for the high school summer theater productions. Tickets for those performances are $4 for adults, $2 for students, a free to seniors and children under 5.

• May 16: "Toy Story" at Dress-Up Movie Night. Movies start at dusk but families are encouraged to come at 7:30 so kids can play-act on the stage.

• May 18: R&B and classic rock by Hip Pocket at 4 p.m.

• June 8: Classic, contemporary and Latin jazz by Kevin Hart & Vibe Tribe at 4 p.m.

• June 10: Movie, "E.T."

• June 12: Jazz by Adam Larson Quartet at 6:30 p.m.

• June 20-22 and 25-29: "Urinetown" musical by the high school summer theater group at 7:30 p.m.

• July 8: Movie, "The Incredibles"

• July 10: Island music by Steely Pan at 6:30 p.m.

• July 13: Civil War-ear music by 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band at 4 p.m.

• July 17-20, 23-24 and 26-27: "Thoroughly Modern Millie" musical by the high school summer theater group at 7:30 p.m.

• Aug. 7: Story night by Twin City Tale Spinners at 6:30 pm.

• Aug. 12: Movie, "Beauty & the Beast"

• Aug. 24: Jazz by Simon Burke at 4:30 p.m.

• Sept. 6: Movie, "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"

• Sept. 11: Magician Chris Bohne at 6:30 p.m.

• Sept. 21: R&B by Sister Groove at 4 p.m.

• Oct. 4: Movie, "The Wizard of Oz"

• Oct. 5: Music by Community Concert Band at 4:30 p.m.

In addition, at 2 p.m. each Wednesday, in June the Twin City Tale Spinners will read a book and have a related craft project for children.

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Theater may honor longtime manager

By Mary Ann Ford

mford@pantagraph.com

NORMAL - Members of Summer Theater Supporters hope the Normal Amphitheater will be renamed after the creative force behind the high school summer theater program.

"Connie Link was instrumental in building the Maxwell Park Theater and dedicated her summers to the program," said Susan Cortesi, program manager.

Link started as business manager in 1976 and went on to be program manager and executive producer.

"She just fell in love with the program," Cortesi said.

Link died Jan. 23 after a battle with brain cancer.

"She did so many things to get the (new) theater built," said Cortesi. "She never gave up."

Between a fundraiser last August and proceeds from concession stand sales, the Summer Theater Supporters group contributed about $50,000 for lighting, sound and a piano for the new amphitheater just south of the Normal Parks and Recreation Department at 611 S. Linden St.

Cortesi said members of the group now have joined forces to suggest the amphitheater be named Connie Link Amphitheater.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos said when a formal request comes in he will talk to each council member individually about the idea.

"I'm supportive of naming it in her honor and I think most council members would approve doing it," he said. "Everyone I talk to said Connie Link was the life, blood and energy of the (high school summer theater) program."

But, Koos added, he doesn't want to dilute the honor by overdoing and renaming too many things around town.

If the request to name the amphitheater is formally suggested and accepted by council members, Koos said it likely would not happen until the high school summer theater program's first performance. The group will perform the musical "Urinetown," June 20 through 22 and 25 through 29.