The cold, dark days of winter may be upon us, but area stages will be merry and bright with plenty of music, dance and theater shows to keep us entertained. Here’s a sampling of what we have to look forward to for the next few months.
Bye Bye Birdie
A loving send-up of 1950s small-town America, teenagers and rock ‘n’ roll, Bye Bye Birdie remains as fresh and vibrant as ever. Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted into the Army, so his shrewd manager, Albert, and his secretary, Rosie, pick all-American girl Kim MacAfee for a very public farewell kiss in her home of Sweet Apple, Ohio. Springfield Theatre Centre will perform shows Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
Dueling Pianos
Dual Piano Christmas will present some of your holiday favorites coming from two
Steinway Grand Pianos, four hands and two talented, creative brains letting loose for
an evening of fun. See the show Dec. 19-21 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
The Nutcracker
The timeless holiday classic that has enchanted Springfield audiences for generations comes to The Legacy Theatre Dec. 5-7 while renovations continue at Sangamon Auditorium. Plan to experience Clara’s magical dream and create beautiful holiday memories for the young and young-at-heart, brought to you by Copper Coin Ballet Company.
“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
The Land of Lincoln Chorus presents its annual Christmas concert at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 4 in the Peggy Ryder Theatre at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Enjoy some seasonal favorites, both religious and secular.
First Night Springfield
The Springfield Area Arts Council will host the 39th annual celebration of the arts, an unforgettable New Year’s Eve as First Night Springfield lights up downtown with dazzling fireworks, captivating performances and nonstop fun for all ages. Activities and performances will take place from 12-8 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and Union Square Park, with a fireworks display beginning at 8 p.m.
The Phantom of the Opera
The Hoogland Performing Arts Education Achievers, made up of students in grades 9-12, will perform the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic Jan. 23-25.
Mystery Movie Monday
Join movie lovers for Mystery Movie Monday, where on the first Monday of the month from January through May, viewers won’t know the title of the film until the red velvet curtain opens on the Legacy Theatre’s grand screen. The series showcases movies from across the spectrum of genres: comedy, drama, suspense, musical, romance, westerns – everything but horror. Films may span from the early days of the 20th century to contemporary titles. Tickets include free popcorn and a post-film discussion.
Somethings Afoot
This musical spoof takes a satirical jab at the Agatha Christie “who dunit?” murder mysteries. Ten people are stranded in an isolated English country estate during a raging thunderstorm. One by one, they are killed in mysterious (and hilarious) ways as they try to discover the murderer’s identity. Rising floodwaters, power failures and suspicious behaviors add to the tension and intrigue and are carefully noted by Miss Tweed, an elderly amateur detective. Springfield Theatre Centre will perform shows Jan. 16-18 and 23-25 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
Muni audition workshop
Thinking about auditioning for The Muni’s 76th season under the stars? Make plans to attend the Muni workshop and learn more about the Summer of Love slated for 2026. The workshop, taking place at 10 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, is a helpful way to get motivated, ask questions and prepare for auditions. Attendees will get a chance to meet the staff of each show and become more comfortable with the audition process. Ask specific questions and receive a QR code to access audition forms. Adult auditions will be held Feb. 21-22 and 28 with callbacks on March 1. Children’s auditions are March 7.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The Hoogland Performing Arts Education Achievers return to the stage Feb. 20-22 with another Andrew Lloyd Webber production.
Lincoln and Shakespeare
Abraham Lincoln loved the works of William Shakespeare and carried a copy of his plays wherever he went. In her book Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote: “The political genius of Abraham Lincoln rarely spoke of his inner feelings and often expressed emotions through the poetry he admired.”
“Much of this play is based on actual historical events in Lincoln’s life,” director Kevin Purcell said. “The focus of the play is this question: Did Lincoln’s love of Shakespeare influence his writing and actions?” See it Feb. 21-22 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts and decide for yourself.
The Last Five Years
A return of the emotionally powerful and intimate musical about two New Yorkers who fall in and out of love over the course of five years, the show’s unconventional structure consists of Cathy, the woman, telling her story backward while Jamie, the man, tells his story chronologically. The two characters only meet once, at their wedding in the middle of the show. See it Feb. 27-28, March 1 and March 6-8 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
The Addams Family
A musical comedy based on Charles Addams’ characters, the story revolves around a grown-up Wednesday Addams who falls in love with a “normal” young man from a respectable family in Ohio. Fun and chaos ensue when the two families meet for a fateful dinner at the Addams’ mansion, and Gomez is forced to do the unthinkable – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Springfield Theatre Centre will perform shows Feb. 6-8 and 13-15 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
The Trojan Women
A classical Athenian tragedy by the playwright Euripides, first produced in 415 BC, The Trojan Women is set immediately after the conclusion of the Trojan War, outside the ruined walls of Troy. The men of the city have been slaughtered, and the surviving women are waiting to be taken as slaves and concubines by the victorious Greek army. The narrative centers on the royal family of Troy as they grapple with their grief and horrific fates. It is widely considered one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written. Spencer Theatre will perform shows Feb.12-15 at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.
Mary Young was born and raised in Springfield and has been performing in, producing and directing live theater for decades. She’s done film and voice-over work, performs occasionally with local bands and takes part in improv troupe The Portuguese Rodeo Clown Company.
This article appears in November 27-December 3, 2025.
