Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, the head of the UIS theatre department these last 10 years, is taking a sabbatical this semester, but he is staying home in Springfield. As head of an academic program, he does not normally have the time to act in productions. But his sabbatical has given him time to perform in what is […]
Phil Funkenbusch
Posted inArts & Culture
A winter full of fine Springfield theater
The new year begins with exciting theater in Springfield, with the now-playing Chess, a musical by Benny Anderssen and Bjorn Ulvaes (of ABBA fame) with lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita), in a production directed by Laurie O’Brien at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, continuing this weekend (Fri. and Sat. at 8 […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Autumn is showtime
Fall is a great time of year, and there’s always an interesting list of theater productions in the area. Take a look at what’s happening here this fall. Theatre in the Park at New Salem has two more performances of Kari Catton’s play Healin’ Home this weekend, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. The play […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A rich season of summer theater
Summer theater is upon us and there’s quite an exciting list of possibilities for area theater-goers over the next three months. Theatre in the Park at New Salem outside Petersburg opens its season June 3 with Romeo and Juliet (in a co-production with Over the Moon Productions), running June 3-5 and 9-11. The production features […]
Posted inArts & Culture
A rich season for local theater
The new year has begun with some new titles on area stages and several more are coming up in the coming weeks. Seeing the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee recently (a Springfield Theatre Centre production at the Hoogland Center for the Arts) was such a lift from the winter blahs. This organization […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Summer onstage brings classics and comedies
An abundance of exciting and fun theater takes place on area stages this summer. It is interesting to see how summer theater fare has changed in recent years. In years past, summer theater was all comedies and musicals. Those are still with us, but there is quite a list of new and little-known works, as […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
See Oliver and Abe outdoors this summer
Summer theater in our area gets better every year and this summer looks promising with a not-to-be-missed new production of an old favorite: Forever This Land at New Salem, Carly Shank’s take on Oliver! at the Muni and a top-notch cast in Into the Woods in Jacksonville. Muni Opera opens its season with Oliver! (June […]
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Virginia Woolf still sounds new after all these years
Okay, so for those of you who are looking for a night of fun and games, big acting and an American theater classic at the same time, get your tickets to spend an evening with George and Martha. This weekend is the first production of Edward Albee’sWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? to be seen in […]
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Look for the Lincolns at the theater
Here are some of the many Lincoln-related theater offerings coming up in the next few weeks: It’s always nice to drive over to Rushville, especially to see what’s playing at the historic Phoenix Opera House on the town square. On Saturday, Jan. 24, they are offering Lincoln Tales Tall and True at 7 p.m., performed […]
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Tuna Christmas is a holiday hoot
Among the many holiday entertainment offerings in the area — including a beautiful Springfield Ballet Company Nutcracker, LLCC Madrigals, Springfield Choral Society’s A Quiet Christmas, etc. — the new production of the comedy Tuna Christmas that opened last weekend ranks high on the list of pure hilarity. The performance is also a benefit to raise […]
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Fall theatre preview
[image-2} There is so much theatre happening in the area these days, there doesn’t seem to be a spring/summer/fall/winter season anymore — it’s just ongoing all year long, which is good. Springfield Ballet Company always jump-starts the fall with its annual audience favorite, Rockballet, performing Sept. 6-7 at Sangamon Auditorium. For information, call 544-1967 or […]
Posted inArts & Culture
The laughs are guaranteed
Untitled Document If you’ve never seen Larry Shue’s play The Nerd, try making a point of catching one of the performances being presented by the Springfield Theatre Centre at the Hoogland Center for the Arts. Steve Williams directs the comedy, which is continuing into its second weekend, Feb. 15-17 with performances at 8 p.m. Friday […]
