THEATER

Our American Cousin Feb 6-8 and 13, 15 Fri-Sun Hoogland Center for the Arts 420 S. Sixth St 217-523-2787 $13 adult, $12 senior/ children

Foreign ways

Just because they’re family doesn’t mean you have to love ’em. In the British farce, Our American Cousin, a family learns that lesson the hard way. The three-act play revolves around Asa Trenchard, an ill-mannered American who visits his aristocratic English relatives to claim the family estate. The production is famous for the absurdity of the characters, like the dim-witted Lord Dundreary, and made a cultural impact when it premiered in 1858. In traditonal English style, The Springfield Theatre Center is hosting a “Tea with Mrs. Linoln” before each Sunday performance.

While the play made a cultural impact, it also holds a unique place in history. Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while attending a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.