August 29, 2026 at 1:30pm Martin Theatre @ Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, IL

JAM Orchestra makes their Ravinia Debut! Would you? Could you? In a car? Bring the family, Ravinia’s not far! JAM Orchestra offers audiences of all ages a joyful introduction to opera, featuring professional opera singers in an interactive performance of the complete Green Eggs and Ham and Gertrude McFuzz Dr. Seuss stories paired with playful music to enchant all ages.

February 3, 2026 at 7:30pm Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights, IL

The concert will be performed by the 24-piece JAM Orchestra, conducted by Aaron Kaplan, and will feature vocalists Johanna McKenzie Miller, Aurora Penepacker, Lorenzo Rush Jr., and Christopher Johnson.

An eight-time Academy Award winner, Menken is the composer behind some of the most beloved works in musical theatre and film, including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act, and A Christmas Carol. The evening will feature iconic musical selections from his legendary theatrical and Broadway score canon.

Johanna McKenzie Miller, Artistic Director of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, is a director, performer, playwright, and arts leader. Her directing and performing credits span major Chicago theaters, including Paramount, Drury Lane, Marriott Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Court Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, with recent work including A Christmas Carol at Metropolis.

Lorenzo Rush Jr., a Joseph Jefferson and Black Theater Alliance Award winner, is a Chicago native with more than 15 years on leading Chicagoland stages, including Court Theatre, Marriott Theatre, and Porchlight Music Theatre. His work extends to screen and voiceover, with credits including Chicago P.D., Empire, Fargo, and national campaigns for the Chicago Cubs, American Express, and Sony.

Aurora Penepacker, a mixed Filipina-American actor, singer, and songwriter, is a Roosevelt University graduate whose Chicago credits include Writer’s Theatre, Drury Lane, Kokandy, Citadel Theatre, and Oak Park Festival Theatre. She recently received a 2025 Joseph Jefferson nomination for Outstanding Performer in a Principal Role for her performance as Natasha in Writers Theater’s production of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.

Christopher Johnson, a Chicago-based actor and singer, has performed across Chicagoland stages with Blank Theatre Company, Music Theater Works, Citadel Theatre, and Kokandy Productions. Metropolis audiences may recognize him from recent productions, including Rock of Ages, The Addams Family, Sister Act, and Legally Blonde.

July 11 and 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Metropolis Performing Arts Center, Arlington Heights, IL

Get ready to swing, sway, and be serenaded with the timeless charm of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits. This one-night-only concert features the powerhouse 33-piece JAM Orchestra and rising star vocalist Antonio Duca, direct from Los Angeles.

From “New York, New York” to “Come Fly With Me,” “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “Night and Day,” this unforgettable evening celebrates the golden age of big band with a fresh twist. Antonio Duca isn’t just a singer. He’s a full-on entertainer whose charisma, voice, and dynamic stage presence light up the room.

At the helm is conductor Aaron Kaplan, a Jeff-nominated music director, cellist, teacher and passionate advocate for musical theatre and orchestral integrity. Under his baton, the JAM Orchestra celebrates original orchestrations with lush, cinematic brilliance. This concert will feature the stunning work of Sinatra’s arrangers and orchestrators: Nelson Riddle, Don Costa, Quincy Jones and more!

A must-see for music lovers of all ages. Don’t miss this soaring tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes.

An ensemble born through shared passion.

The JAM Orchestra is a unique, multi-genre ensemble that performs from a diverse canon of repertoire, ranging from classical and swing music to Broadway and film scores. We aim to perform each work with the utmost musical integrity including original orchestrations and instrumentation, the way they were meant to be heard. Our goal is to make the orchestra experience accessible to everyone by creating programs that honor both familiar music as well as shed a light on underrepresented musical works and composers, as we strive to present our concerts at the highest quality to a broad spectrum of audience-goers. Featuring some of the finest musicians in Chicago, the JAM Orchestra seeks to create a distinctive and rewarding musical experience for everyone.

The JAM Orchestra is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.