'Hair' brings nostalgia to Corn Stock Theatre

Rocking '60s musical opens Friday under the tent; final show of Corn Stock's regular summer season

Long hair, beads, tie-dyed clothes and other items that defined Hippiedom in the 1960s will step into the lights at Corn Stock Theatre's tent in Upper Bradley Park beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Considered by many to be the ultimate 1960s musical, "Hair" brought to life such songs as Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, Hair and Good Morning Starshine during a period in U.S. history that mixed peace with upheaval

The show continues through Sept. 1.

When Corn Stock Theatre was considering whether to stage the musical "Hair" during its summer season this year, there was concern about the older patrons of the theatre and how they would react to the show that puts the hippie culture out front like no other play.

The way others look at it, including Chip Joyce, who is directing the show that opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. under the tent at Upper Bradley Park, some of those older patrons may have been hip-deep in that culture 44 years ago, when "Hair" was first produced on Broadway.

"The music is as great today as it was when first written, but many of our patrons loved the music when it first came out. I mean, I understand the concern but I really believe the handful of people that get offended will be far outnumbered by those who enjoy the show for what it is," Joyce said.

"Hair" is not anything like most musicals that have a sweet love story with music any age can enjoy and appreciate, with waltzes and other dances that show what it was like in yesteryear. In other words, it won't be confused with "Hello, Dolly," which opened the Corn Stock summer season in June.

"If this experiment, putting a show like this in the tent, backfires then so be it. But I don't believe it will. I think it will bring back memories to our older patrons and open the minds of our younger patrons to the way things were at the time, to a culture that was unique. At the time 'Hair' was cutting-edge commentary on the times. Now it is nostalgia and it's a different and exciting piece for Corn Stock," Joyce said.

"Hair" is the final show of the regular summer season. The show will be performed Friday through Sept. 1, starting at 7:30 each night. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students.  

On Broadway there was a nude scene at the end of Act One that was quite controversial at the time. It would still be controversial in a community theatre setting. But Joyce, while not disclosing how that scene is being handled in this show, said there is nothing anybody needs to worry about nudity-wise. Also, the worst of the vulgar language has been eliminated for this show.

"We are conscious of the concerns of all our patrons, so there really is nothing to be uncomfortable about. But we also hope it becomes more than just a passive experience for people. We hope they feel involved," he said, noting he expects a lot of people to sing along with some of the music.

"Hair" includes such songs as Aquarius, I Believe in Love, Hair, Good Morning Starshine and Let the Sun Shine In. The show was written by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, with music by Galt MacDermot. For the Corn Stock production Joyce is using an eight-piece band directed by Laura Weaver Hughes. Choreographer is Heather Klaus.

Lights, an important part of an often-psychedelic show like "Hair," were designed and executed by Megan Larke.

The set, appearing to be an old shed or garage, is built in a way to allow the performers to interact with the audience in places.

Many of the performers in the show are first-timers to the Corn Stock stage, at least in the tent. But Joyce said all of them have some stage experience in the area and will be recognizable to audience members. "I wanted people with incredible voices to carry the score and I also wanted the show to be racially integrated, which was one of the keys to 'Hair.' We were able to accomplish both of those objectives," he said.

Among the performers are Jerod Hazard as Claude, the character torn by his opposition to the Vietnam War and the wishes of his family to not resist the draft. Jeremy Kelly portrays his best friend Berger and Bree Carroll plays their roommate Sheila. Tim Jenkins portrays Woof, Rachel Wooden is Jeanie, Darren Jackson is Hud, Dominique Allison is Dionne and Mariah Thornton is Crissy.

Rounding out the 22-member cast, known in the show as "the Tribe," are Bryan Blanks, Rahmell Brown, Aaron Elwell, Eric Gore, Katy Hawley, Molly Joyce, Susan Knobloch, Mindy LaHood, Laura Maushard, Jenny Morris, Trevor Neff, Derek Pitzer, Krystal Uhl and Kristen Williams.

Most of the men are in long-hair wigs styled like the flower children of the era. The clothing will be nostalgic, as well.

Resistance to the Vietnam War and the draft is the focal point of the show, but even though neither of those exist anymore Joyce believes some of the themes are still relevant. "We are a peaceful people, for the most part, and there are a lot of people today who don't believe we should be involved with some of the wars we are fighting in and losing loved ones," he said.

Joyce said he has been questioned by some people about why he wanted to do "Hair" and why would he and a cast of performers who were not even born yet in the 1960s care about the issues. "I guess one answer is that Civil War re-enactors weren't born yet during the Civil War. That doesn't mean it wasn't a relevant piece of our history," he said.

Cast members had varied reasons for wanting to be part of the show, but most said it was the music as much as the message. Knobloch said another reason "Hair" is important to her is that "1968 was also a very important year for women, for the freedoms they've gained and for becoming equals."

She added, "I think I would have really enjoyed the hippie lifestyle."

Hazard, while he portrays the lead character, admits he knew very little about "Hair" before he auditioned. "I knew some of the music and what I knew I loved. It's rock-and-roll. But mostly once I learned it was a true ensemble cast, I wanted to be part of it with my friends. I have come to under what this show is about and the conflictions my character and the others feel," he said.

Elwell acknowledged "Hair" was a "little bit out of the comfort zone for most of us when we started. The spirit of that time was a lot different. Yet it was a fascinating time in America's history and the issues were important then and they remain important today."

To reserve tickets call the Corn Stock box office at 676-2196 or email tickets@cornstocktheatre.com.

Paul Gordon is editor of The Peorian. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com

McClure Branch set to reopen

After 11 months of work second renovated branch reopens with ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday

For nearly a year the McClure Branch of the Peoria Public Library has been closed, its interior and exterior both showing signs of wear after 75 years.

That all changes Saturday at 10 a.m. when the branch at 315 W. McClure St. reopens after a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the occasion by the Public Library's board of trustees. Library officials said the opening will miss by one day the anniversary of the McClure's branches first opening, Jan. 8, 1937.

It is the second branch to reopen after many months of repairs and renovations. The Lincoln Branch reopened Dec. 10. The Lakeview Branch on North University Street remains closed, with reopening expected within a couple months, officials said.

It is all part of a $28 million project that saw the Main Library in Downtown Peoria get remodeled before work started on the three branches. Also part of the project was construction of a new North Peoria Branch, just off of Allen Road near Illinois Route 6, which opened in May 2011 and already is seeing a lot of business.

The McClure Branch has been refurbished and repaired and upgraded with all the same technologies as other Peoria Public Library locations. "Although the building could not be expanded as it sits in a flood plain, users will note that the signs of wear of 75 years have been erased and interior spaces thoughtfully rearranged to eliminate the previous cluttered look," said a Public Library news release.

The brick exterior has been cleaned and returned to its original look. Inside the building radiators have been eliminated and every window now has a window seat where readers can curl up with a book or laptop.

"With WiFi throughout the building and study tables with power outlets, as well as six public computers, access is available to the Internet for all. Catalog-only computers, self-check stations and information desks are located both upstairs and down. Outside there are 20 parking spots," the news release said.

Construction costs totaled just under $600,000 for the 4,270 square-foot building, which closed Feb. 19, 2011 for remodeling. Renovations were actually completed before this, the release said, but reopening was delayed because of a problem with the delivery of shelving.

The McClure Branch, known when it first opened as "the East Bluff Branch" was built on land donated by the Peoria School Board and cost $20,000 to build. The separate children's room in the basement did not open until the next October.

Crowds flocked to a Jan. 29, 1937 evening open house hosted by the Library Trustees. "According to newspaper reports of the day, visitors marveled at the new hot water heat system that was assured to keep the temperature stable and patrons comfortable.

One of the latest innovations was 'anti-glare lighting'and everyone was pleased with the curtains. Curtains were exciting because they eliminated 'flapping roller shades that suddenly slip and rocket to the top with a fearful rattle, frightening the patrons,'" the library said.

"Window shade technology has come a long way and McClure Branch now features the latest technology in window shades as well," it added.

Hours for McClure Branch will be Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Main Library is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well. Both are closed on Sunday.

The North Branch at 3001 W. Grand Parkway is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It's closed on Tuesday.

The North Branch has a drive-up book drop in its parking lot.

The Lincoln Branch at 1312 W. Lincoln Ave. is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. It's closed on Wednesday.

Paul Gordon is editor of The Peorian. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com.

'Hair' brings nostalgia to Corn Stock Theatre

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Researching to find a cure

New cancer research center officially opens amidst fanfare at College of Medicine

Cancer research in Peoria has taken a giant leap forward with the opening of the new research center at the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Not only will the new center help modernize research being done, it will help UICOMP to recruit more talented researchers to Peoria, school and civic leaders said Monday during a ceremony at which they cut the ribbon on cancer research center.

The $13 million, 24,000 square-foot center that took just over a year to build has been about 10 years in the planning, since UICOMP began doing cancer research in 2001 when it recruited internationally known scientist Dr. Jasti Rao to head the research effort.

"My life's goal is to improve the quality of life and survival rates for cancer patients," said Rao, who is senior associate dean for research at UICOMP. "I have always dreamed of having a facility and the necessary funds to recruit other research experts to help reach these goals."

Already Rao has discovered and patented a new anti-cancer treatment that is now being safety tested before trials using humans begins. Rao and the research center to date have received nearly $28 million in research grants from the National Institute of Health — more than any researcher has received before — and has published 150 papers.

Dr. Sara Rusch, UICOMP Regional Dean, acted as host for the ceremony Monday, introducing the various people whose collaborative efforts made the day possible.

The research center has been a collaborative effort between UICOMP, the Heartland Partnership and many civic leaders throughout the region, she said. Much credit for getting the collaboration started was given to Ray LaHood when he represented Peoria in Congress. LaHood now is U.S. Secretary of Transportation in the President Obama administration and he was on hand for Monday's ceremony.

Noting the research center already has brought in "some of the smartest people" and calling Rao "one of the smartest researchers in the world," LaHood said the effort would not have succeeded without all the area's elected officials, civic organizations and top business leaders like Caterpillar Inc. stepping forward to do what was necessary.

"We have given the ultimate gift to our community this holiday season," said LaHood.

Jim Baumgartner, director of public affairs for Caterpillar, also praised the collaboration. "Today we are celebrating the symbolism of bring people together for the community," he said.

Adding the "Caterpillar's home is in Peoria" and bringing cheers from the 100-plus people attending the ceremony, he said that "Peoria is a world class city with world class people."

Other speakers included State Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, who said, "We do a lot of things in Peoria and we do them well. When we do things in a bipartisan manner it's the best way." He was flanked at the podium by Republicans David Leitch and Darin LaHood, state representative and state senator, respectively.

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis spoke of the vision of those at UICOMP, including former dean Dr. Don Rager, who not only saw the need for the cancer research center but "also the foresight to recruit Dr. Rao."

Jim McConoughey, president of the Heartland Partnership, named several others who helped during the past decade to bring the center to fruition. "We believe in the commitment of everybody involved," he said.

But he gave a special nod to construction workers who battled through a wet spring and hot summer to bring the project in on time. In talking with some of them during construction he learned their commitment was because they'd lost loved ones to cancer and wanted to do their part to help find a cure.

"They put their heart and soul into this project and here are. This has truly been a community collaboration," McConoughey said.

Rusch said about 60 percent of the primary care givers in the Peoria area were schooled at UICOMP, people who stayed in the area after completing their education because of their belief in the area.

"This new and modern building represents the bright future of the College of Medicine. It symbolizes how our community works together to accomplish great things," she said. "Our community is blessed with great leadership and we've united behind our desire to cure this dreaded disease."

Those attending the ceremony were given a laminated photograph that looked like an abstract painting. Instead it was a photograph taken in Rao's laboratory showing umbilical cord blood stem cells surrounding and killing human cancer cells. It was part of one of his National Institute of Health grants to research "Growth inhibition of brain tumors by cord blood stem cells."

On UICOMP's website, peoria.medicine.uic.edu, Rao wrote about the research and said, "The results of these varied research projects allow us to unravel medical mysteries, pioneer groundbreaking discoveries and invent new technologies — all aimed at enhancing the quality of life. We are exploring the latest frontiers in science and biomedical research."

Paul Gordon is editor of The Peorian. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com.