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'To Be or Not to Be'

Details: Published on Monday, 02 July 2012 09:28; Written by Paul Gordon

Community theatre thrives in Peoria and central Illinois

One is distinguishable by the large, green tent that goes up each summer in Upper Bradley Park; the other by the old fashioned lighted theatre marquee at University and Lake.

Time was Corn Stock Theatre and Peoria Players were about the only games in town when it came to community theatre. Corn Stock dominated the...

Plenty to See Here

Details: Published on Monday, 02 July 2012 09:10; Written by Paul Gordon

Visual art studios grow, welcome patronage

Lest anyone think that there are art studios in Peoria is a fairly recently thing, Marianne Bibo-Russell begs to differ. To a point, anyway.

She opened a studio nearly 50 years ago and, though it has been closed almost two years, it wasn't exactly the only one in town. But there weren't many others and the public perception of such studios was, well, a misperception. Read more...

The Spinners to headline Soul Fest

Details: Published on Thursday, 14 June 2012 16:14; Written by The Peorian

The Spinners will headline the 2012 River City Soul Fest set for Aug. 17 and 18 at Festival Park on Peoria's riverfront.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame quintet of R&B artists will perform Saturday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Advance tickets can be purchased online at www.etix.com, at all area Co-Op Record stores and at the RiverFront Visitors Center.

We have a winner for the Alice Cooper tickets

Details: Published on Friday, 29 June 2012 12:27; Written by Paul Gordon

Move over, Steven Tyler. I'm ready to join you on stage.

Hey, I'm just trying to help a friend fulfill his dream.

OK, I'm joking. About getting on stage to sing some blues rock with one of my favorite front men and bands, Aerosmith. But man, given the chance ...

Let me explain. You may recall we at The Peorian had a contest whereby we will give two free tickets to the upcoming Alice Cooper concert at the Peoria Civic Center...

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

Details: Published on Wednesday, 30 May 2012 19:49; Written by Paul Gordon

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.

'Les Miserables' set to open at Eastlight

Details: Published on Thursday, 21 June 2012 16:39; Written by Paul Gordon

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.

les-miz1 Read more...

'Nunsense A-Men' opens Friday at Barn II

Details: Published on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 16:41; Written by Paul Gordon

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...

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

Details: Published on Wednesday, 20 June 2012 15:26; Written by The Peorian

"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...

The Who in Peoria

Details: Published on Sunday, 20 May 2012 12:21; Written by Kevin Kizer

This week, Kevin talks about Pete Townshend's upcoming biography, "Who I Am", which will be published this fall. And believe it or not there's a connection between The Who and Peoria. The World's Loudest Band played at the Opera House at Expo Gardens in '68. Here's a video clip: