It’s halftime in your life. Have you prepared for retirement? What if you’re behind – and not just by a few points – but way behind? Nearly two-thirds of all Americans near retirement age say they don’t feel financially prepared (Edwards Jones 2022). Survey results vary wildly, but at least 25% have nothing saved for […]
Dennis Thread
Posted inSpecial Issues
Our search for purpose as we age
We expect change in “the second half of life.” The culture tells us we are now “old,” or at least “older.” The realities of the workspace and the financial structures in place (retirement plans, pensions, and Social Security) conspire to create and enforce an all-or-nothing view of our lives. Before: education and work. After: rest […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rich drama about the Black experience
The late August Wilson (1945-2005) remains one of America’s most important playwrights, leaving behind enormously entertaining work that is a triumph of history and theatricality. The Springfield Theatre Centre’s production of Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean at the Hoogland – directed by Reggie Guyton – is a major event, a must-see for anyone who cares […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Managing change is the key to longevity
Not to sound like a reverse mortgage ad, but if you are in the second half of life, there is some great news. You will live much longer, and healthier, than you think. More and more of us will be as sound of mind and body at 80 as we were at 60. It’s as […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Springfield’s own Nutcracker
The Nutcracker Ballet is as Christmassy as you can get, right up there with fir trees, twinkling lights and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. All over the globe, ballet companies vie to create the perfect Nutcracker, and families everywhere line up for tickets. This weekend, on the grand stage at UIS-PAC, as it has every year […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
The Springfield Theatre Centre has given us an early holiday gift, a theatrical version of Green Day’s American Idiot, a powerful, courageous show that you must experience for yourself. Green Day’s American Idiot (at the Hoogland through Sunday) is a musical like no other. A vigorous reimagining of the seminal punk band’s 2004 album, which […]
Posted inArts & Culture
An arts trifecta for Springfield
For those committed to the cultural life of the capital city, there’s a rare opportunity Friday, Nov. 5. It’s a big win: a trifecta for the arts. It’s the trial run of a gorgeous new performance venue in Springfield and a sneak preview of a unique Illinois Symphony concert. And it’s a chance to celebrate […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Love is love, no matter what
Audiences are returning to live theater at a time of uncertainty and discord. Stop Kiss, Diana Son’s dark romantic comedy (and near-tragedy) speaks directly to the fears, anger and longing in our hearts. This fine UIS production under the capable direction of Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson – with a cast of exceptional actors from the theater program […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Something old, yet new
How is it that the theatrical comedies of the 1930s and ’40s have retained their potency? The evergreen Arsenic and Old Lace (1941), refreshed by the Springfield Theatre Centre, is keeping audiences of your friends and neighbors laughing – rolling in the aisle laughing – from beginning to end. Do yourself a favor. Take a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Her Majesty will see you now.”
For the many fans of the Netflix series The Crown – and for anyone wondering just how good theater in Springfield can get – Spencer Theatre’s production of The Audience, playing through the weekend at the Hoogland, is a must-see. The Spencer, with Julie Staley as producer, launched pre-lockdown with Blithe Spirit. As we continue […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Making of a maestro
Ken Lam knew it was time for a change. He had worked hard. He was at the top of his game. A law degree from Cambridge University. An expert in international corporate law and economics. Respected and rewarded for his brilliance and tenacity. A glittering career from London to Hong Kong. But the second half […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Conducting is like driving a Ferrari
What’s it like to stand in front of 70 highly trained musicians waving your arms? It’s daunting. And what “transferable skills” does a corporate lawyer have to meet that challenge? “The conductor is responsible for absolutely everything that happens,” says Lam. Drawing on his corporate experience, he knows accuracy, attention to detail and discipline are […]
