BEST LIVE THEATER VENUE / PRODUCTION

The Muni / Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Understandably there was some confusion in this category over whether to vote for the venue or the production, but there was no confusion over the ultimate top vote-getter. The Muni outran the competition for best venue, receiving votes for every production this season with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast outranking the other shows on the Muni schedule. At the summer musical business for more than 60 years, the Muni draws nearly 40,000 audience members each year using home-grown talent and lots of volunteer work to make the magic happen. How wonderful that Springfield has so many theatrical choices, including the Hoogland, Theatre Centre, Sangamon Auditorium and The Legacy Theatre. Even many of the local high school stage plays reach phenomenal heights of production. But of all the choices it’s the longtime, community-based, outdoor theater near Lake Springfield that won the hearts and garnered the most support from our readers.

Runner up: Hoogland Center for the Arts / Rocky Horror Picture Show