Performing Art | Thursday, October 14,2004

backstage pass 10-14-04

The community has lost another champion of the arts with the passing of Martha Jackson of Petersburg. Jackson and her partner, Linda Nordeman, owned the City Arts Venue art gallery, a space ded

Performing Art | Thursday, September 23,2004

Backstage pass 9-23-04

By Phil Funkenbusch

The Springfield Theatre Centre's current production Sunday in the Park with George is a show not to be missed -- in fact, I recommend that you see it more than once. I have never witnessed such

Performing Art | Thursday, September 9,2004

backstage pass 9-9-04

By Phil Funkenbusch

One can take the pulse of a community's theater scene by counting the number of new or little-known shows that are produced. It's always a risk to stage something new because, more than likely,

Performing Art | Thursday, August 26,2004

backstage pass 8-26-04

By Phil Funkenbusch

The fall theater season is fast approaching, and many new and exciting shows are scheduled in the Springfield area. Let's start with a brand new show. Jacksonville Theatre Guild and Allegro Prod

Performing Art | Thursday, July 29,2004

Backstage pass 7-29-04

By Phil Funkenbusch

It's always good news when a theater introduces a new show, especially during the summertime when a typical line-up consists of the tried-and-true. And it looks like Theatre in the Park's decis

Performing Art | Thursday, July 15,2004

On the line with the chorus

By Phil Funkenbusch

When A Chorus Line opens Friday night at the Springfield Muni Opera, I wonder, how will the show play to a new generation? Will they realize that they're witnessing what was a groundbreaking musical w

Performing Art | Thursday, July 1,2004

The return of a favorite to New Salem

By Phil Funkenbusch

Opening this weekend at Theatre in the Park, New Salem's outdoor amphitheater, is the drama Your Obedient Servant, A. Lincoln. The return of the John Ahart play, which ran for many summers at N

Performing Art | Thursday, June 17,2004

Little theatre production pairs highly regarded stage veterans

By Phil Funkenbusch

The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan launches its new season with a whopping good show, the ageless Hello, Dolly!, featuring two lead performances that could not be better Ñ Anna McNeely

Performing Art | Thursday, May 27,2004

Stage brights for Memorial Day weekend

By Phil Funkenbusch

Continuing a recent spate of new, innovative theatrical offerings, Memorial Day weekend features several interesting area openings: • Theater student Matthew Schwartz conceived and directs a sho

Performing Art | Thursday, May 13,2004

Backstage Pass

By Phil Funkenbusch

Springfield stages are busy these days, with more new and experimental works being staged here than in most communities of comparable size. Here are just a few of the new shows being hatched loc