The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet and Steppenwolf Theatre Company again are to present free performances during this year’s Blockbuster Week in Millennium Park, but a popular radio show will take the roster spot ordinarily held by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The park said the events are to kick off at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 with a concert by the Chicago-based musician and lyricist Andrew Bird. At 6:30 the next night there is to be a live taping of the National Public Radio show “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me.”
The annual Stars of Lyric Opera concert is slated for Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8, Steppenwolf ensemble members will perform. The week’s finale is set for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11, when the Joffrey performs in a salute to victims of the terrorist attacks of 2001.
Because of touring commitments, the CSO will be absent for the first time in the four-year history of Blockbuster Week, a CSO spokeswoman said.
