What are a few of our favorite things? In Downers Grove, regarding entertainment that features local talent, the list is long. Theater, dance and music groups, for starters.

New World Repertory Theatre under Jean Gottlieb offered the play “Fool for Love.” This company presents top-notch talent in its casts. Midwest Ballet Theatre under Mim Eichmann presented its annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Every year, something is a little different about the show to keep the interest of return audiences.

Grove Players just ended a three-weekend run of the musical “Nunsense.” This community theater group has been going strong for 72 years now and is currently trying to incorporate musicals into its lineup more regularly. Judging by the success of “Nunsense,” that’s a sound plan. The Downers Grove Choral Society presented “Hansel and Gretel,” the children’s opera, with mezzo soprano Maggie Clennon Reberg as the witch. Then the choral society presented its first full program of the season, “The Saint’s Delight,” three masterpieces for the holiday season. The group’s wonderful singers are directed by Bob Holst of Lisle.

The Downers Grove Music Club featured the Village Voices chorus under Marilyn Wilgocki for its November program. The approximately three dozen men and women sang a “Potpourri of Song” accompanied by Sarah Jett and interspersed with piano selections played by Rob J. Saul. There was standing room only for the appreciative audience members at that event.

West Towns Chorus, a four-part harmony men’s acappella group, sang songs that were a partial preview of the group’s upcoming Christmas Show, “The Magic of Christmas,” at the Downers Grove Library recently. Their Christmas shows at the Tivoli Theatre are almost always sold out.

The PriMerry Players presented excerpts of “Women of the West” at Lincoln Center for the Scarlet Bloomers group of the Red Hat Society. Beth Dreiling coordinated the event. Actresses included Debbie Guptill, Shirley Hiddleston, Christine Myles, Marti Sladek, Susan Estall and Kimberley Thompson.

Michael Leaich of Downers Grove is providing entertainment of a different sort. This young man, in his mid-20s, has written and published his first book, “Earth Defense Force – Beginnings.” He intends this work of science fiction to be the first volume of a series. Leaich attended Lester Grade School, Herrick Middle School and Downers Grove North High School. He began writing “Earth Defense Force” in the second semester of his sophomore year of college, where he majored in music business.

Leaich’s book, published by Publish America, is available through BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com and at Anderson’s Book Shop.
When it comes to creative, artistic endeavors, there is much to be thankful for in Downers Grove.