Broadway star Riddle returning to Vermilion

VERMILION — Harbourtown Fine Arts Center is welcoming home Broadway sensation John Riddle for a special performance. Titled "Back to Where it All Began," it's scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 28 at Vermilion High School's auditorium. Born and raised in Vermilion, Riddle returns to the community that shaped him with his one-man show, "Blue-Lady" — a heartfelt, high-energy tribute to the women who inspired him growing up in his hometown. This dynamic performance also celebrates the magic of New York City nightlife, blending disco, soul, pop and jazz into an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling. A seasoned Broadway performer, Riddle is best known for his roles as Hans in the original cast of "Frozen" on Broadway and Raoul in "The Phantom of the Opera." His return to Vermilion is not only a celebration of his journey but also a gift to the community. All proceeds from the performance will go directly to the restoration of Harbourtown Fine Arts Center, housed in the historic Vermilion Town Hall. "This town gave me everything," Riddle said. "I'm thrilled to bring this show home and support the vision of turning our old Town Hall into a vibrant arts center for future generations." People can purchase tickets and learn more information by visiting harbourtownfineartscenter.org/events/back-to-where-it-all-began. Join us for this extraordinary homecoming event and help support the arts in Vermilion. Bringing back a community treasure Harbourtown Fine Arts Center is leading a passionate grassroots effort to restore one of Vermilion's most treasured landmarks: the old Vermilion Town Hall, originally constructed in 1883. This remarkable building once stood at the heart of civic life, housing the town's governmental offices on the first floor and, above them, a grand opera hall that has remained closed since 1930. What makes this space truly extraordinary is that the opera hall remains virtually untouched, a time capsule of 19th-century craftsmanship and culture. From the original velvet stage curtain to the wooden proscenium and the awe-inspiring fresco of George Washington painted directly onto the plaster, every element tells a story of Vermilion's vibrant artistic and civic past. The center's vision is clear: to bring this historic structure back to life, fully restoring both the town hall and opera hall to their original grandeur. This project is not just about bricks and mortar. It's about preserving one of the last remaining public historic spaces in the city for future generations to gather, perform and be inspired. Funds raised through the Back to Where It All Began initiative will go directly toward the center's capital campaign for this restoration. Tess Steinemann Drouhard, chair of the committee for this event states that, "With community support, we aim to return the town hall to its rightful place as a cultural cornerstone of Vermilion where the past and future meet on stage once again." Donations can also be made at the center's website, harbourtownfineartscenter.org/donate. The center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching lives through music, dance, theater, and visual arts in the heart of downtown Vermilion.