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Peanuts characters come to life at the Barn
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- Published on Sunday, 15 June 2014 17:11
- Written by The Peorian
It isn't often Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre does a musical. But then again,...
'Funny Girl' opens Corn Stock's summer tent under the tent
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- Published on Tuesday, 27 May 2014 18:08
- Written by Paul Gordon
Katie McLuckie admits to feeling a little intimidated about the role she is about play at Corn Stock Theatre. But she also is confident she will do the role great justice for audiences of “Funny Girl,” Corn Stock’s 2014 summer season opener starting Friday, May 30.
“I mean ‘Funny Girl’ is Barbra Streisand and everybody knows it....
'Seasonings: The Essays of Jerry Klein' to be performed at Museum
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- Published on Wednesday, 05 February 2014 15:56
- Written by The Peorian
Roberta Koch tells the story of how she was feeling rather blue one day when she happened across one of Jerry Klein's columns in which he encouraged readers to look at the positive aspects of life.
"I did and you know, it changed my attitude. It gave me a new way of looking at things. And really, a lot of Jerry's writing can...
'Shrek' comes alive at Peoria Players
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- Published on Wednesday, 30 April 2014 15:06
- Written by Paul Gordon
Since last July Travis Olson and Mary Keltner could have gone by Shrek for their last name. They have basically lived the popular musical by that name since Peoria Players asked them to co-direct its last show of the 2013-14 season.
Directing and staging the show for its regional community theatre premiere is the culmination of activity...
'Oliver' takes the stage at Peoria Players
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- Published on Monday, 03 February 2014 16:18
- Written by Paul Gordon
'Boeing Boeing' taking off at Barn II
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- Published on Monday, 21 April 2014 17:42
- Written by The Peorian
Sex takes to the skies in the 1960s French farce “Boeing Boeing,” the next offering at Conklin’s Barn II Dinner Theatre.
The show opens an eight-week run on Thursday, April 24 and continues Thursdays through Sundays through June 15 at the theatre in Goodfield.
“Boeing Boeing,” written by March Camoletti,...
Conklin's opens new year with 'Paisley Convertible'
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- Published on Tuesday, 14 January 2014 15:40
- Written by Paul Gordon
Conklin's Barn II Dinner Theatre kicks off its 2014 season, tabbed the "Season of Premiere Laughter," on Thursday with a seven-week run of "The Paisley...
Eastlight offers Fun at the Ol' Trailer Park
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- Published on Tuesday, 15 April 2014 17:49
- Written by Paul Gordon
'A Piece of My Heart' at Corn Stock Winter Playhouse
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- Published on Monday, 13 January 2014 19:37
- Written by Paul Gordon
Peoria Ballet offers 'Cinderella'
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- Published on Thursday, 10 April 2014 13:11
- Written by Paul Gordon
Servy Gallardo knows his audience; he’s aware a title like “Cinderella” would be considered family friendly. That’s why he chose it for the Peoria Ballet’s spring show this weekend at Five Points Washington.
Gallardo, the ballet’s artistic director, also knows the audience will include small children, perhaps even...
'The Nutcracker' tradition continues
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- Published on Friday, 13 December 2013 15:25
- Written by The Peorian
A Christmas tradition will take place again this weekend in the Peoria area when "The Nutcracker" ballet is performed.
This year, however, it will be performed in two different venues by two different...
Barn honored with world premiere of 'fun and funny' play
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- Published on Thursday, 13 March 2014 17:31
- Written by Paul Gordon
'Joseph' ready for another run at Eastlight
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- Published on Wednesday, 04 December 2013 16:50
- Written by Paul Gordon
What would Christmas be without the one musical that has come to signify the Christmas season in central Illinois, even though it isn't a musical about Christmas?
"It just isn't the same, especially for those people who are involved in the show," said Jeremy Kelly, who is director of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" for the second consecutive year.
Added Steve Cordle, executive director of Eastlight Theatre in East...
'The Miracle Worker' to open at Peoria Players Threatre
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- Published on Wednesday, 12 March 2014 14:57
- Written by Paul Gordon
There are art works, whether visual or written, that can be disturbing while also inspiring, tense but uplifting. And often, those based on true stories can touch people deeply.
“The Miracle Worker” is one of those works. The drama written by William Gibson is based on a small yet pivotal part of the life of Helen Keller, who became blind, deaf and consequently mute when stricken by illness as an infant.
It opens a seven-show...
A weekend of one-act comedies at Corn Stock
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 17:56
- Written by The Peorian
When three of America's top comedic playwrights put some one-act plays together in a package titled "Relatively Speaking," Corn Stock Theatre saw it as an opportunity to give some new directors a shot and likely find new actors, as well.
But a funny thing happened: Yes, the directors are making their directorial debuts; but whereas one-act plays usually attract actors with less experience "Relatively Speaking" attracted a bevy of experienced...
'Superior Donuts' set for regional premiere at Corn Stock
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- Published on Monday, 10 March 2014 18:00
- Written by Paul Gordon
The Barn II is 'Decking the Halls'
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- Published on Friday, 15 November 2013 19:17
- Written by Paul Gordon
In what has become a holiday tradition, Conklin's Barn II Theatre is presenting a holiday revue of music, comedy and merriment, now through New Year's Eve.
"Deck the Halls" will also have Wednesday night performances through the month of December.
The show is a fast-paced revue of music, comedy and audience participation...
World Premiere comedy on tap at Conklin's
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- Published on Tuesday, 04 March 2014 20:31
- Written by The Peorian
A new...
'Meet Me In St. Louis' set to open at Peoria Players
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- Published on Tuesday, 05 November 2013 17:03
- Written by Paul Gordon
For Mary Ellen Ulrich, the musical "Meet Me in St. Louis" takes her back to a simpler time, such as her childhood.
Even though she wasn't yet alive when the play takes place, in fact was decades from being born, it still made her think of her childhood home, on Oak Street in Quincy. So when she designed the set for the show, which opens Friday at Peoria Players Theatre, she let her memory guide her — right down to the stained glass window...
'Art' set for run at Corn Stock Winter Playhouse
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- Published on Monday, 10 February 2014 16:11
- Written by Paul Gordon
There is an age-old query posed in the dark comedy opening Friday at Corn Stock Theatre's Winter Playhouse: Which is more important, people or possessions?
On the surface "Art," the play by Yasmina Reza, which won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1998, appears to ask the question, what is art? But as the play unfolds it is obvious it goes deeper than man's thoughts about art, especially when close relationships are involved.
"Art...
Coo-coo-cachoo: 'The Graduate' to open at Corn Stock Winter Playhouse
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- Published on Tuesday, 29 October 2013 16:56
- Written by Paul Gordon
By day, she teaches middle school in Germantown Hills and is known by everybody as that sweet, nice, funny Mrs. Ballard.
At night, she puts on a hot little black dress, grabs a cocktail and a cigarette and becomes a sultry, sexy cougar known as Mrs. Robinson.
Coo-coo-cachoo!
"I am a little nervous about being on stage in my underwear, but I am loving it," Trish Ballard said recently before starting rehearsal for "The Graduate,"...
