Performing Art

If country music has a sacred place, it’s the Grand Ole Opry. One country reference book compares it to the importance of the Vatican to the Catholic church. The Opry’s role in the development of and continuing popularity of country music, as well as Nashville’s establishment and growth as the music’s primary home, is unmistakable. […]

“Wrongs will be righted if we’re united. Let us seize the day!” These words might sound more like fiery pro-union rhetoric than a lyric from a high-spirited musical romp. Turns out it’s both. The production of the Disney musical Newsies, which opened this past weekend at the Legacy Theatre in Springfield, is one of only […]

The carillon in Washington Park is not only a familiar icon to Springfield residents, it is also known internationally as one of the world’s largest and best carillons. From June 4 to 9, renowned carillonists from The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Michigan and Texas will be in Springfield for the 56th annual International Carillon Festival. Begun […]

The far-reaching 2017-2018 Sangamon Auditorium season will take audiences from Motown to mariachi and from murder mystery to Mummenschanz. It is the final season to be programmed by Bob Vaughn, who will retire in September after serving 11 years as auditorium director. Vaughn graduated with the first class of the Community Arts Management Program back […]

“I had always had this dream to do a play about Abraham Lincoln’s wedding,” said Springfield Art Association curator of collections Erika Holst. “I have zero theater background, so I just couldn’t do it myself.” Holst was introduced to Springfield-based writer Rose Harmon who, it turned out, has an undergraduate degree in theater and a […]

Paige Zolnierek as Peter Pan and Hallie Griffin as Captain Hook. PHOTO BY GRUSSENMEYER PHOTOGRAPHY This weekend, take a break from the taxes, leave the yard work, gather up the family and head to Nelson Center for the 40th anniversary Springfield Figure Skating Club celebration “Spotlight on Ice.” This year’s show promises to be bigger […]

Mariah Brooks. Photo by William Richards. Troy Roark is amazed at how much talent is “hiding” in local schools. Roark, Springfield Area Arts Council board president, is referring to the group of 17 high school students who competed in the regional Poetry Out Loud contest on Feb. 10, demonstrating their ability to recite poems concisely, […]

Ed Norris and the Tappers in a rendition of “You’re Not Sick, You’re Just in Love.” PHOTO BY GINNY LEE I’ve learned some basic truths in recent months. Among them: pains and little cares, dear, come in little pairs, dear; the rich get rich and the poor get poorer; and, perhaps most important, not to […]

Anita (Cami Kern), Rosalita (Zoey Zara) and the shark girls. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MUNI The events that have made headlines throughout this past year make me question how much progress we’ve actually made since that time. [West Side Story] While this story takes place on the streets of New York, its message is applicable […]

Diane Dietz as Mary Poppins. PHOTO BY PATRICK RUSSELL Mary Poppins. We all know her and love her from the 1964 Disney movie. She is a little bit sarcastic, clever, always kind and very magical. Did you know, however, that the creator and author of the series of children’s books, Australia-born P.L.Travers, disliked Disney’s rendition […]