JCAC
Jake and Elwood Blues and some of their friends will be onstage at the Jasper Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

From local sources

JASPER — The Official Blues Brothers Revue will be onstage at the Jasper Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The characters of Jake and Elwood Blues, originally created by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in 1978, were initially imagined as frontmen for a fictitious American blues and soul band. Since their film debut in 1980, the irreverent characters have resonated with people around the world and the Blues Brothers have become a cultural phenomenon.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue, featuring Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty as Jake and Elwood, recreates the live concert experience by integrating the humor and songs from the original film and subsequent albums. Produced by Judy Belushi Pisano and Dan Aykroyd, the Revue pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, soul music and gospel in the true spirit of the original Blues Brothers.
“Joliet” Jake is played by Catania, a musician, actor and creative writer with a career spanning four decades. His resemblance to John Belushi opened doors to his own acting and musical talents both onstage and onscreen.

Elwood is brought to life by Lafferty, a musician and actor.  The Canadian was influenced by the great acts that played in his father’s nightclub.  He ventured into musical theatre in 1998 when he joined the cast of the award winning Las Vegas show “Legends in Concert” as Elwood Blues. When he and Catania were paired on stage, their careers took off.  

Kieron, Judy Belushi Pisano, Anne Beatts (“Saturday Night Live”) and Catania just finished writing the pilot for an action/comedy/musical TV show based on the further adventures of Jake and Elwood Blues.  

Under the musical direction of Paul Shaffer, Jake, Elwood and the high-energy live band lay down a big sound, performed with the passion and precision of the original Blues Brothers. The set list will include crowd favorites of:  “Gimme Some Lovin’,” “Sweet Home Chicago,” “Think/Respect,” “Shotgun Blues” and “Soul Man.”  

Tickets —  priced at $35 for adults, $33 for seniors and $30 for students and children — are available by calling the Jasper Arts Center at 482-3070.