Phil Funkenbusch

Springfield area theater patrons have plenty of reasons to celebrate, thanks to a strong schedule of shows in the next few weeks. On the heels of Springfield Theatre Centre’s successful run of Annie, which was held over for two additional performances last weekend, Sangamon Auditorium is bringing a touring company of the musical Jesus Christ […]

The new year has begun, the Center for the Arts in downtown Springfield had a spectacular opening, rehearsals began this week for Springfield Theatre Centre’s winter production of Edward Albee’s powerful drama Three Tall Women, and STC unveils its production of Annie Friday night, promising to start 2004 off on a very high note. But […]

Something pretty rare takes place on television this weekend when a landmark American play makes it to the small screen, thanks to HBO’s adaptation of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America. This two-part ‘morality play’ about life, death, survival and faith, arrived on Broadway ten years ago (its premiere productions took place in Los Angeles and […]

Springfield gets one last chance to see the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play Proof before it hits the big screen in a version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. The local production, directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, not only demonstrates why the play’s won such widespread acclaim, but it also boasts a remarkable performance by Carly Shank. Anybody […]

Randi Collins-Hard is directing The Laramie Project at Parkland College in Champaign, currently running through Oct. 12. The Laramie Project has been the most-produced play in the United States the past couple of years. Springfield saw a production here in 2002. What makes the Parkland production unforgettable is the fact that Collins-Hard has cast 73 […]

Springfield Theatre Centre’s 56th season began last week with Neil Simon’s latest Broadway comedy, The Dinner Party. The production winds up this weekend, with performances October 3 through 5. Set in a Paris restaurant, the play brings together three divorced couples in a chance encounter. The show, directed by Darin Harms, features Linda Castor, Rob […]

OK, I admit it: I saw Muni Opera’s The Wizard of Oz three times. It was just one of those special productions in which the audience and the actors each contribute to making an uncommon theatrical event. What did the audience bring? Well, the kids brought their imaginations, for one–and whoever says that kids these […]

Some shows keep coming back every few summers–Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Peter Pan. This summer it’s The Wizard of Oz at the Springfield Muni, opening this weekend and running through August 17. Directed by Leigh Ann Smith, this Oz is based on the 1988 version produced by London’s Royal Shakespeare Company–it’s close to the […]

This week marks the return of the Ken Bradbury and Robert Crowe musical Abraham!, playing July 18 through 27 in the outdoor amphitheater at Lincoln’s New Salem. Now in its seventh year, Abraham! follows Lincoln’s early years at New Salem. Returning in the title role is Nathan Carls. The ensemble features Greg Floyd, Bob Large, […]