Movie review: "Flight" may be a better rental

(6 out of 10 stars)

138 minutes; rated "R" for drug use, nudity, adult themes, intense action scenes

To be honest, I didn't know what to think about Denzel Washington's new movie, "Flight", when I left the theater.  It certainly wasn't blow-me-out-of-the-seat great, but it held my attention for over two hours. When I analyze a movie, I realize I am one of those individuals who can thoroughly enjoy a movie...

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'Children of Eden' opens Friday at Eastlight Theatre

Since creation, parents have tried to protect their children from the evils of the world, only to one day be forced to let them go their own way.

Often, eating the apple is the path chosen despite warnings of the consequences.

That is the story of Adam and Eve and other passages in the Book of Genesis; it also is the basis of the musical "Children of Eden," which opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria. Tickets...

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'Legally Blonde The Musical' opens Friday at Eastlight

When the film "Legally Blonde" hit the big screen in 2001, it was a hit. Starring Reese Witherspoon, it was successful enough to get a sequel.

But would it translate well into a Broadway musical? It did well enough to gross millions of dollars on tours and earn several Tony Award nominations along the way.

And now central Illinois will get a chance to see it for themselves.

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'Big River' opens Friday at Peoria Players

The timeless story of Huck Finn and his adventure in helping at least one slave gain his freedom will take the stage at Peoria Players Theatre, opening Friday at 7:30 p.m.

"Big River," the musical based on Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," will give eight performances, including two matinees. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on March 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24 and at 2 p.m. March 18 and 25.

Tickets are $18 for adults...

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'Private Lives' opens Friday at Corn Stock

Is anybody really normal? That's a question playwright Noel Coward contemplates in his classic comedy "Private Lives," which opens Friday under the tent at Corn Stock Theatre.

Coward, who many believe was doing a partially autobiographic piece when he wrote "Private Lives" more than 80 years ago, perhaps told us his opinion in a line one of the five characters says:

"I think that people are not really normal deep down in our private...

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'Glengarry Glen Ross' opens March 16 at Corn Stock

When David Mamet wrote the award winning drama "Glengarry Glen Ross" in the early 1980s, he depicted the corporate struggles ongoing at the time, an often-cutthroat existence as the nation struggles with economic woes.

The play, which won the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for drama in 1984, mirrors current times as well, which is one reason Renee Boesch asked to direct it at Corn Stock Theatre's Winter Playhouse.

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'Paquita' is summer offering from Peoria Ballet

Peoria Ballet will present the ballet "Paquita" as its 2012 Summer Intensive performance at 6 p.m. Sunday at Riverside Community Church in downtown Peoria, the former Shrine Mosque.

A variety of original choreographed dances also will be performed during the event, which is offered free of charge so the entire community can enjoy it.

Peoria Ballet's Summer Intensive program included five weeks of concentrated ballet training with...

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'God of Carnage' opens Friday at Corn Stock Theatre

What happens then two sets of parents get together, intent on defending the honor of their child after a playground fight? Most likely a visit from the god of carnage, with mayhem plopped in the middle.

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'Hairspray' opens Friday at Corn Stock

There is a line in the musical "Hairspray" in which one character refers to Tracy Turnblad as "a breath of fresh air."

That's exactly how Holly Haines hopes Corn Stock Theatre audiences feel about her once they see her performance as Tracy in the show that opens Friday and continues through July 21 under the tent in Upper Bradley Park. (Opening night is already sold out and the first weekend may be sold out soon.)

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'Titanic' set to sail at Peoria Players

Yes, the ship sinks at the end. But will those who attend "Titanic, The Musical" at Peoria Players Theatre see it happen or just have to imagine it? 

"We thought we could do this show and sell it on just the fact the story and music are so good. We thought we could get by without all the bells and whistles," said Steve Bortolotti, who is director of the regional premier of "Titanic, The Musical," which opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. and...

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'Les Miserables' set to open at Eastlight

The struggle for survival and redemption during the French Revolution in the early 19th century and immortalized by the novel and musical "Les Miserables" is finally available in its complete form to community theatres.

And Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria has it.

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'Come Blow Your Horn' opens Thursday at the Barn II

The unparalled insights of Neil Simon will take the stage of his play "Come Blow Your Horn" opens the Conklin's Barn II 2012 season on Thursday, Jan. 12.

The play, which was Simon's first Broadway hit, will run at the Barn II dinner theatre in Goodfield for seven weeks, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (a brunch performance), through Feb. 26. There will be a special Valentine's Day performance on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

"Come...

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'Importance of Being Earnest' opens Friday under Corn Stock's tent

"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing."

The above line is spoken by the character Gwendolyn in the Oscar Wilde classic comedy, "The Importance of Being Earnest." That line, more than any other, tells the story of the characters and the show itself, says John Johnson.

"It's a comment about the characters we are presenting. They are so shallow we laugh at them and yet we have people in our world...

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'Joseph' opens for 21st year on Friday

Like the Santa Clause and Festival of Lights parades, or the Journal Star Christmas Sing and Yule Like Peoria, there is an annual production in East Peoria that has become a holiday staple.

"Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will open Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria, the 21st consecutive year...

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'Hello, Dolly!' to open Corn Stock summer season

It's long been believed in community theater circles that it's the classic musicals — also known as the old warhorses — that draw the largest audiences.

So Corn Stock Theatre decided to begin its 2012 summer season with one of the most popular classic musicals of all time. It then put it in the directing hands of Peggy Breaux, a self-professed "nut about the classics" and the season will start with a flourish.

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'Plaza Suite' opens Friday at Corn Stock

When Howard Gorman first suggested that Corn Stock Theatre produce "Plaza Suite" at its Winter Playhouse, he wanted to direct the entire show himself.

He had directed it once before, in Morton, and wanted the chance to try it in the unique, in-the-round Costa Theatre of the Winter Playhouse. 

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'Nunsense A-Men' opens Friday at Barn II

One of the most popular shows ever produced at The Barn II Theatre in Goodfield is coming back, with some of Conklin's most popular performers in key roles.

The wild musical comedy "Nunsense A-Men!" starring Dan Challacombe, Pat Gaik, Chad Kirvan and Dave Windsor, along with Fred Heskett and newcomer Joel Shoemaker, opens Friday and plays for only six weeks, through July 1.

The dinner theatre has shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday...

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'Angels in America: Perestroika' opens Friday at Corn Stock

Not all theaters quickly follow a production of "Angels in America: The Millennium Approaches" with its sequel.

Corn Stock Theatre's Winter Playhouse is not like most other theaters and so it seemed natural to produce "Angels in America: Perestroika" only months after the first one, said Dani Keil, who said it has been a pleasure to be able to direct both parts.

"I am really excited artistically that Corn Stock followed up right...

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'Chicago' opens Friday at Peoria Players

Perhaps it is America's fascination with the gangster era and celebrity crime, or maybe it's just the love of a good story with good music.

Either way, "Chicago" is one of America's favorite musicals and it will open Friday at Peoria Players Theatre.

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'Annie' set to open at Peoria Players

To say Mary Ellen Ulrich loves the musical "Annie" would be quite the understatement. It is why, after all, she is directing it for the fourth time in the last decade or so.

"I loved the comic strip 'Little Orphan Annie' as a little girl and the musical is so lively, so fun. It has a great story line and it ends on a happy note. What more can you ask of a musical," Ulrich said, who said she also has performed in "Annie" three different...

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