Muse see drama: To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee, at TIP.
Must see children’s show: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
at the Springfield Muni.
Must see for all ages: Legally Blonde: The Musical
at The Legacy Theatre.
Must see classic: Man of La Mancha
at The Hoogland Center for the Arts.
Jacksonville Theatre Guild is sure to bring many laughs with its two productions this summer. First is Drinking Habits, which plays June 7-10 and is a hysterical comedy about two nuns secretly making wine to keep the convent doors open. Next is Misfits the Musical playing July 26-29 and Aug. 2-5. Written by the local playwrights Ken Bradbury and Roger Wainwright, it depicts the lives of pets nobody wants. Come see the misfit marsupials and the secondhand-songbirds in this comedy. For ticket information contact 217- 245-1402 or visit www.jaxtg.com.
The Hoogland Center for the Arts has seen its fair share of hard times, yet thanks to the fundraising efforts of the community, the doors are wide open and bringing in a plethora of theatrical opportunities. Notably, on June 24 at 2 p.m., Chicago cabaret artist Laura Freeman will present Sentimental Journey – The Music of Doris Day. In addition, Leigh Steiner’s astounding direction and theatrical team will bring the classic Man of La Mancha to life on Aug. 24-26 and Aug. 31-Sep. 2. For information and tickets call 217-523-ARTS (2787) or visit www.hcfta.org.
The St. Louis Muny brings in exquisite professional talent every year and surely this year is no exception. This season consists of Thoroughly Modern Millie (June 18-24), Chicago (June 25-July 1), Aladdin (July 5-13), Dreamgirls (July 16-22), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (July 23-29), The Muny premiere of Pirates! (or Gilbert and Sullivan’s Plunder’d) (July 30-Aug. 5), and The King and I (Aug. 6-12). For tickets call 314- 361-1900 or visit www.muny.org.
Peoria Eastlight Theater will present the regional premiere of Les Miserables June 22-24 and 27-30. Starring some local favorites such as Mary Kate Smith and Adam Sitton, this inter nationally renowned hit is arguably the most admired musical in the world. Get tickets by calling 309-699-SHOW (7469) or visit www.eastlighttheatre.com.
History Comes Alive will feature Prairie Voices on Fridays at 5pm and Lincoln and Shakespeare on Saturdays at 5pm throughout the summer in the Representative Hall at the Old State Capitol. For more details visit the OSC Facebook page, www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/historycomesalive/ or call 217-785-7960.
So pack up the family or plan a night with friends and support your community. The arts will stay alive as long as we help sustain them. I hope to see you under the stars.
Cory Blissett is an actor and site interpreter at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and can be contacted at [email protected].
