Theater47 Brings Broadway-Style Shows to South Suburbs
John Ruffin and his wife, Tammie, opened Theater47,
located at 371 Artists Walk in Park Forest, Illinois five years
ago. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THEATER47.
By Tia Carol Jones
John Ruffin has been writing plays for 36 years. Ruffin got his start writing and producing inspirational plays. Throughout the years, he moved into more edutainment where he wanted the audience to be entertained but also to learn something. The shows he produces now are more Broadway-style shows.
Ruffin and his wife, Tammie, opened Theater47, located at 371 Artists Walk in Park Forest, Illinois five years ago. Prior to opening the theater in Park Forest, Ruffin wrote and produced plays at Harold Washington Cultural Center at 47th and King Drive.
Some of Ruffin’s early plays has written include “Love Me or Leave Me,” “The Ideal Husband” and “If She Only Knew.” His Broadway-style shows include “The Phyllis Hyman Story,” “Turn Off the Lights: The Teddy Pendergrass Story,” “Imitation of Life” and “Black Nativity.”
One of the things Ruffin wants to bring light to, is the mental illness that affects some of the subjects of the shows he produces. He wants to bring light to those people’s stories to help their legacy.
“I always look at when I’m doing a show, is what would I want people to clear up about my name, my brand, when I’m not here. Something my family can focus on and be proud of,” Ruffin said.
When it comes to running a business as a married couple, Tammie handles the front office and administrative part of the theater, and John handles the artistic part of the business. They have learned how to work synergistically, which keeps the peace.
“For five years, we’ve had nothing but sold out shows,” Ruffin said, crediting word of mouth for the success.
Tammie Ruffin had a vision that the theater would be so successful that there would be a waiting list. Her vision has come to fruition, with shows having waiting lists for people to attend.
Ruffin doesn’t want to be a cookie cutter, so the seasons start with his intuition as to when Theater47 should do a show. He moves according to his spirit, which he says keeps it fresh and new.
“I’m grateful that I have my own venue that I don’t have that pressure of putting up a season right away,” he said.
Ruffin said using his intuition for the start of the season also keeps the audiences intrigued and on their toes. In addition to the shows being performed at the venue, the shows also go on a national tour. It was always Ruffin’s vision to have a local venue and a national tour of the shows. He has trained the people and create new stars with his shows.
The tour starts in February 2024, with the “Phyllis Hyman Story.” Other shows for 2024 include “Remember the Time: The Michael Jackson Story,” “The Tammie Terrell Story” and “The Bobby Womack Story.” This year’s season ended on Dec. 17th, with the “Teddy Pendergrass Story.”
“The vision for Theater47 was always for it to be an incubator and then from there, take those same talents and give them to the world,” Ruffin said.
Ruffin wants to continue to bring the option of quality entertainment to the South Suburbs.
For more information about Theater47, visit www.theater47.com.
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