Arts Features

The Springfield Area Arts Council, in partnership with the city of Springfield, is accepting nominations for the 23rd Mayor’s Awards for the Arts. Starting Aug. 1, community members are invited to nominate an individual, organization or business whose outstanding contributions have strengthened and enriched the arts throughout Sangamon and Menard counties, the Arts Council’s service […]

The Illinois State Fair is celebrating 217 Concert Week with a special ticket promotion. From Aug. 3 through Aug. 9, fairgoers can purchase $26 tickets for three Grandstand concerts. This promotion is available online through Ticketmaster or in person at the Illinois State Fair Box Office and applies to select seating areas while supplies last.  […]

Transitioning an epic Disney blockbuster set in a frozen winter to an outdoor stage during a muggy, Midwest summer is no easy task— making this stunning directorial debut by Alyssa and DJ Shultz all the more impressive. Frozen at the Muni is big, beautiful and packed full of fun surprises and talented performers who bring […]

“I have been doing this work as an outcropping of the spiritual journey that I’ve been on for many moons,” said artist Wendy Allen of “Coming Home,” her upcoming pop-up exhibit in downtown Springfield this Saturday, Aug. 1, sponsored by Downtown Springfield, Inc. An accomplished multi-media artist based in Springfield for many years, Allen has […]

Theatre in the Park at New Salem announced a change to its summer lineup. Due to the production of Hands on a Hard Body being postponed until 2027, three new performances have been scheduled.  Popular impersonator Rick Dunham brought Elvis Himselvis to the park on July 11 for an evening of rock and rolls hits […]

The Springfield Area Arts Council is facilitating the return of Shakespeare in the Park on Friday, July 24, from 6-8 p.m. at Enos Park, 1000 N. Seventh St., in Springfield. Now in its third year, Shakespeare in the Park will take a different approach than previous seasons. This year’s event will showcase Illinois playwright Kevin […]

Entertainment offerings in the 217 just got an injection of original sketch comedy. A new, local ensemble called the Capital City Comix debuted its show “Friday Night Live” on July 10 to a sold-out crowd. It’s billed as “SNL, but local, louder, and way weirder,” and while it might not be as groundbreaking as SNL, […]

Adapted from the beloved 1998 DreamWorks animated film of the same name, The Prince of Egypt follows the story of Moses from his infancy through his quest to free the Hebrew people from the Pharaoh of Egypt. Rooted in the biblical themes of sacrifice, trauma and justice— with music by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz— this […]

Most modern-day audiences are not familiar with this delightfully punny musical comedy, but Me and My Girl originally opened as a smash hit in London in 1937 and enjoyed a long run. It is one of those breezy, timeless musicals that any theatergoer can appreciate. The Legacy Theatre provides the ideal backdrop, as its classic […]

When talking with All Shook Up director Kelly Robertson, she cleverly offers, “If you bring the wine and crackers, we’ll bring the cheese.” The show, a jukebox musical packed with Elvis songs and loosely based on Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, indeed stands as a high-energy, crowd pleaser with lots of corny jokes and a campy storyline. […]