Chicago Pianist Richard Sladek will perform “Fascinatin’ Rhythm,” a free will offering concert to benefit the Oster Regent Theatre building on April 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Pianist Richard Stadek has performed professionally in the Chicago area for the past 20 years and has been the recipient of several awards from the Chicago Musical Arts Club and the Grace Welsh National Piano Competition. Mr. Stadek also received a New York Film Festivals Finalist award. As the musical/director/composer for 16 years with the nationally acclaimed education theater troupe “Wavelength,” he performed for over 100,000 educators in North America, and the Netherlands.

A Chicago native, he began playing piano at age seven. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University, and studied with piano professors from DePaul University and Northern Illinois University. Sladek has studied composition, jazz piano, and worked with the renowned composer William Russo. Professionally, Sladek served as staff accompanist for Columbia College, and the Second City National Touring Company. He has also played for the Southwest Symphony Orchestra, the Salt Creek Ballet and The Academy of Movement and Music. In musical theater, he has played keyboards for numerous productions, most notably at the Shubert, Marriott Lincolnshire, the Theater at the Center, the Theatre of Western Springs, Circle Theater and the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse. He’s played for productions as varied as Into The Woods, Carousel, Willy Wonka and five different productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In 1994 Von Maur commissioned Sladek to record “Christmas Favorites” to celebrate the first holiday season of the company in the Chicago Area. It has been featured on Wisconsin Public Radio. He has also recorded two other CDs, “Piano Celebration” and “Ragtime Classics.”

The “Fascinatin’ Rhythm” concert will feature such diverse composers as Gershwin, Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, George Winston, Billy Joel, Dave Brubeck and more. The doors for seating will open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 performance. For questions or information contact the theatre at 277-5283.