Alfresco Performing Arts Center 2041 Delmar Avenue, Granite City, IL 62040

"Update: After my initial critique of The Bobby Darin Tribute at Alfresco Performing Arts Center, I felt compelled to give the show another chance, hoping for improvement. Regrettably, my return visit not only echoed my previous disappointments but introduced new concerns, leading to an even less favorable experience. The production's quality seemed to have declined further. The sound management was notably poor, with the music often sounding more like karaoke tracks than a professional tribute, an issue that appeared exacerbated on this occasion. This, coupled with a distractingly messy stage—presumably repurposed for another upcoming event—detracted significantly from the performance's ambiance and professionalism. The tribute artist himself was merely okay, but his performance lacked the vibrancy and charisma one would expect from a tribute to such a dynamic figure as Bobby Darin. Watching him was underwhelming, a sentiment echoed by the friend who accompanied me—and she's generally more forgiving than I am. Moreover, at one point, it was blatantly obvious that the artist was using an iPad for lyrics, which is incongruous with the professionalism expected from a tribute artist. To further compound the disappointment, the backing tracks even included the lead vocals for certain sections, questioning the authenticity of the performance. Temperature control within the theater remains a glaring issue, with the interior being uncomfortably cold throughout the performance. This not only affected my enjoyment but was a noticeable discomfort for other attendees as well; the person seated next to me remarked on both the chill and the difficulty in hearing the performance clearly. Attempts to follow the troupe's performance schedule beyond the Alfresco Performing Arts Center proved futile, as no additional information was available. This lack of transparency is puzzling. Moreover, it was suggested that this performance was a fundraiser, though details were murky at best, adding to the overall confusion. Given these persistent and new issues, it's challenging to regard this as a professional tribute show. The Alfresco Performing Arts Center, despite its potential, seems to be struggling with basic aspects of event hosting, such as sound quality and audience comfort. With a musical scheduled to be performed at the center in a month, I sincerely hope for improvements, particularly in heating. Otherwise, I would advise future attendees to come prepared with a blanket for warmth. In light of these experiences, my recommendation would be to seek out alternative tributes or performances that offer a more polished and engaging homage to the legendary Bobby Darin. Despite any potential charitable intentions behind the performance, the execution falls short of delivering a fitting tribute or an enjoyable theater experience. This visit was, regrettably, even more disappointing than the first, casting serious doubts on the credibility of this tribute act."

"A hour and half of oldies. The best evening of music I have had in a long time."

"This place is great. A lot of talent in this small theater."

"This beautiful historic church building is gorgeous inside and was purchased years ago and turned into the production company. It is a wonderful addition to our community and offers so much to the people who put on these performances. Young people older people have a chance to show their skills The architecture in the building is absolutely breathtaking and has been restored and updated in such a beautiful manner. The building sits very close to the downtown area and is within walking distance of many other restaurants and the civic Park,"

"Owned and time is donated by a business woman who lets the children from the neighborhood and community perform plays live for their extra curricular activities in school!! Mrs. Whitaker is a Great Woman who puts allot into our community and gives back in all ways possible as she owns numerous businesses that were once abandoned buildings that are now community assets."