Entertaining is All in the Family

They’ve got patriotic stories of American history, heartwarming holiday tales and even a one-woman (and, later this summer, one-kid) show. Since 2002, Lori, Robert and Elliot Mestas have been offering up one-of-a-kind performances written, directed and performed by the family.

For Lori, a trained dancer, and Elliot, who has been performing since age 5, the family’s foray into show business was only natural. For Robert, it was a different story.

“My background and degree are in dance,” said Lori, who toured the world performing before returning to New Lenox, where she met her husband. Robert had a decidedly different profession.

“I was in construction for 30 years,” he said.

The family, which performs under the name Mestas Musicals, began its career in showbiz after Lori was inspired to do something for area senior citizens.

“We always wanted to do something for seniors,” she said. “One day I was praying and I got an idea to do a show …

“I saw us singing and dancing and acting.”

Lori began writing her first show, a musical tale of an elderly couple, taking the audience back through time to when they first met.

For Robert, getting up on stage, not to mention singing, took some getting used to.

“It’s still awkward for me to sing,” he said, a criticism his wife dismisses.

“He doesn’t consider himself a singer, but he really can sing,” she said. “They began to call him the singing foreman.”

The couple began performing shows for area senior centers and community groups. Lori writes and directs each production, down to arranging the music.

In 2003, the couple got a call from the mayor’s office in Chicago and began taking their show on the road, entertaining seniors in the Windy City. But traveling started to take its toll on the couple, who hoped to secure a permanent venue.

“We have a lot of props, we have sets, we have costumes for every number,” Lori said. “It was a lot to schlep.”

That’s when the couple learned that White Fence Farm offers a forum for family entertainment. The Mestases began booking shows at the Romeoville restaurant in 2004 and quickly became known.

“That’s how it took off,” Lori said.

The family typically performs six shows per year: “God Bless America,” a musical tribute to American history; “A Star is Born,” the story of a budding star and her quest to make it in showbiz; “Like Mother, Like Son,” about a mother and son who fall on hard times during the Great Depression; “Christmas through the Years,” a journey from the 1900s to the present; “The Dream Machine,” an inspiring musical journey; and, new this year, “Meet Elliot,” a song-and-dance showcase for 10-year-old Elliot.

The youngster first began performing at age 5 after watching his parents rehearse.

“I was born with it,” he said.

At age 2, “He would do the same moves we would, he would do all the songs,” Robert said.

The 10-year-old has also appeared Nickelodeon’s “Big Time Rush” and in several commercials. He’ll make his solo stage debut next month with “Meet Elliot.”

“It’s going to be like I’m doing a TV show, pretty much,” Elliot said of the performance, which is much like a TV talk show, complete with a cooking segment and impersonations.

“The thing I love about Elliot (is) on stage, he’s so comfortable up there,” Lori said. “He’s been asking to do his own show for years now. He’s very spontaneous, he’s got great comedic timing.”

Summer shows

The Mestas family will perform “God Bless America” June 15 and 22-24. “Meet Elliot” debuts July 13-15.

“Like Mother, Like Son,” will return to the stage Aug. 2-5.

For a complete list of performances, showtimes and reservations, visit the Mestas Musicals website, www.mestasmusicals.com, or call 815-723-8093.

 “Every show has a message and a meaning,” Lori said. “We never entertain just to entertain.”