The Galesburg Orpheum Theatre has secured something no other venue in the United States can claim — the first-ever solo performance by Louise Dearman, the only performer to have played both lead roles in a professional production of Wicked.
Dearman, who originated both Glinda and Elphaba on London’s West End, performs at the Orpheum on May 16 at 7:30 p.m. Executive Director Andrew Driscoll told WGIL the booking required months of work, including a complex visa process that pushed the show back from its original March date.
“If you want this venue to really stand out, you’ve got to find the things that you can be the first, the best, or the only to be able to present,” Driscoll said. “In this case, we’re the first.”
Andrew Driscoll joined Galesburg’s Morning News on Wednesday, April 22. Listen to the full interview below.
Driscoll said the visa application required the theater to document Dearman’s status as an extraordinary artist in the performing arts — a process that included multiple submissions before approval.
The Louise Dearman booking is one of three shows closing out the Orpheum’s 2025-26 season. The final stretch begins Thursday, April 23, with 512: The Selena Experience at 7:30 p.m. Walk-up tickets are still available. The season closes May 23 with 100 Years of Hank starring Jason Petty. The Orpheum is offering a Buy 2, Get 2 Free deal on that show, with the specific goal of bringing in audience members who may not be regular Orpheum patrons.
Local champions and a financial tool worth knowing
Driscoll also highlighted two local investments that are quietly helping keep the Orpheum’s operations stable. Through the Illinois Theatre Tax Credit, the Orpheum converted production expenses from two 2025 shows — Catapult and the national tour of Two Trains Running — into tax credits, then sold those credits to local individuals with a state tax burden.
Mark and Celia Godsil purchased the credit tied to Catapult. Dave Dunn purchased the credit tied to Two Trains Running. The result is unrestricted general operating funds for the Orpheum — which Driscoll called the hardest type of funding to secure.
“That’s the hardest type of grant to come by,” Driscoll said. “Most of what we’re applying for is for a specific project. The unrestricted general operating funds are what we need the most to be able to build and grow.”
Keeping downtown moving all summer
The Orpheum is also launching a Summer Comedy Series to avoid the quiet period that followed last summer’s construction closure. Four shows are scheduled July through August, all priced at $20 — or $80 for all four, which waives the per-show facility fee.
The lineup: Bad Momz of Comedy on July 11, Mark Nizer 4D on July 25, Central Illinois Dueling Pianos on Aug. 8, and Tom Briscoe: Old Mansplaining on Aug.22.
Driscoll said the summer series is part of a broader effort to keep the Orpheum activating downtown foot traffic year-round. The theater has grown its average attendance from 200-250 per show to 350-400 this season — with a capacity of 900.
“When you’ve got something happening that brings people into an area, those people then do other things,” Driscoll said. “They’ll stop at a gas station, they’ll fill up their tank, they’ll go get something to eat.”
A grant that could change everything
The biggest news Driscoll brought to the studio Wednesday may have the longest-lasting impact.
The Orpheum has been awarded a $99,250 tourism grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to replace its entire stage lighting system with professional LED technology. The state will match every dollar the community raises — up to $99,250 — making the total project cost $198,500.
Driscoll said the need is urgent. When the national tour of Two Trains Running performed at the Orpheum, the production had to completely rework its lighting design because the Orpheum was the only venue on the tour not operating on an LED plot.
The “Orpheum in a New Light” fundraising campaign launches in May. The theater is aiming to have the system in place by August.
For the full story on the grant and how to get involved: Orpheum Theatre awarded $99,250 state grant for LED lighting overhaul →
For tickets and information on all Orpheum events: GalesburgOrpheum.org or call (309) 342-2299.
