More like The Sopranos in tone and feel than Pulp Fiction, what with its lack of self-aware irony, Andrew Dominik’s Killing Them Softly has more than a few axes to grind. Intent on throwing the last two administrations under the bus for their causing and mishandling of the 2008 economic collapse, the writer/director uses the […]
United States
Thanksgivings past spur thoughts on race, present and future
“Mrs. Obama … do you realize that when your husband becomes the next president of the United States, it will be historical?” “Why yes, I understand that. What does that mean to you?”“It means I can imagine anything for myself.” An exchange between Michelle Obama and a 10-year-old Ohio girl during the 2008 presidential campaign, […]
Stand-up humor
Nationally-known comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer performs at The Legacy Theater on Friday, May 18. With appearances on Letterman, HBO, Bravo, Logo, GSN and across the United States, the popular lesbian comedian was the first openly gay comedian to appear on television. Suzanne has new material thanks to several changes in her life, and she quips, “Even […]
Check mate
Laurie O’ Brien directs Springfield Theatre Center’s production of Chess, a musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, formerly of ABBA. The story involves a romantic triangle between two top players, an American and a Russian, in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls […]
Holiday hijinks
Two performances of Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue are slated for audiences in the LRS Theatre at the Hoogland Center for the Arts on Saturday, Dec. 17. Don’t miss the mark as the best-known comedy troupe enterprise in the United States shares an evening of humorous song, scenes and the improvisation that gives Second City […]
The Forgotten War
During the cold December of 1951, 12 Illinois military service members lost their lives in the Korean War. Those Marines and Army troops from Illinois were among 1,754 Illinoisans and the 54,246 Americans killed 60 years ago in “The Forgotten War” that ran from June 1950 to July 1953. To remember the 60th anniversary of […]
Prime chime
Ring in the season with the 19-member handbell ensemble, Bells in Motion. Hear traditional holiday favorites and more during their “Ring Noel” concert Dec. 3 at the First Congregational Church. The professional team combines seven octaves of bronze and aluminum handbells and chimes, string bass, drums and other instruments to provide innovative music in many […]
