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'To Be or Not to Be'

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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 summer and Peoria Players the winter and, considering there wasn't the kind of television fare we have now or the number of movie screens, full houses were the norm.

That isn't the case now. Not only is live theatre less of an entertainment staple, but there are more choices for theatre-goers in the Peoria region. Eastlight Theatre in East Peoria has become a major player and the region's only professional theatre, Peoria Cabaret Theatre, which uses many of the community theatre stars.

Here is a look at the biggest.

PEORIA PLAYERS THEATRE

Peoria Players is not only the Peoria region's longest continuously running community theatre, it's the oldest in the state of Illinois and fourth in the nation. It was founded in 1919.

Operating from a building in the Lakeview Museum campus at University and Lake streets adorned with the lighted marquee, Peoria Players has a season of six shows each year, at least four of which are musicals, a summer youth theatre production and a Christmas show. It also offers a musical with a short run in the summer that is a fundraiser for the organization.

There is also, of course, the annual showing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at Halloween, when members of the Peoria Players company also act out the parts as the film plays.

"It is our continuing goal to provide culturally inclusive live theatrical entertainment to our area, as well as give the many talented individuals in the area a creative outlet and the opportunity to perform and grow in a safe, artistically challenging environment," part of the Peoria Players mission reads.

Theatre manager Nicki Haschke and a board of directors lead a group of volunteers to keep Peoria Players one of the top venues in the region.

For more information about Peoria Players and its schedule go to
www.peoriaplayers.org

CORN STOCK THEATRE

Now in its 59th year, Corn Stock Theatre is located in Upper Bradley Park in Peoria. It has the tent in the summer and, after it comes down (leaving the steel frame over the winter) shows move to the smaller Winter Playhouse.

The two venues have one manager, Cindy Hoey, and one board of directors but are quite different.

At the tent the shows are mostly musicals and comedies, largely family fare appropriate for all ages. The season consists of five shows, at least three of them musicals, and about every other year the theatre includes a sixth show that has a shorter run that is a fundraiser. The tent also is used for children's performances once or twice during the summer, including the culmination of the Corn Stock for Kids Summer Camp in July.

At the Winter Playhouse, affectionately known by Corn Stockers as "the lab" because it often does experimental theatre and classes, edgy dramas and risqué comedies are more the norm. The upcoming season will open in early fall with a repertoire presentation of "The Laramie Project" and "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later."

The Winter Playhouse isn't all adult and experimental theatre, however. It is also the venue for one and sometimes two children's theatre productions from Corn Stock for Kids.
The Winter Playhouse season usually consists of five shows, one or two children's theatre productions and often a Christmas show that isn't part of the regular season. Occasionally the menu at the Winter Playhouse will include original scripts by its members.

Memberships are available for only $8 for an individual and $10 for a family. Some of the benefits include a subscription to the CST newsletter, a reduced rate for member social functions throughout the year, ticket discounts and one free costume rental.

To check out Corn Stock and its season schedule go to
www.cornstocktheatre.com

EASTLIGHT THEATRE

Eastlight Theatre may be the youngest of the region's major community theatres, but it has the largest venue and knack for getting the new musicals first, such as the recently completed run of "Les Miserables" and the upcoming "Legally Blond The Musical." But it also is the most publicly subsidized.

It was founded in 1992 through an intergovernment agreement between the City of Peoria, Fon du Lac Park District and East Peoria Community High School. Its shows are performed in the Byron Moore Auditorium at East Peoria High School.

The Eastlight season will consist of four or five musicals, which also includes its annual production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Eastlight also is home to the Youthlight youth theatre company and the Penguin Project, which each year presents a musical with all the roles filled by children with developmental disabilities. It is headed by Dr. Andy Morgan.

Steve Cordle is the technical director of Eastlight Theatre, which has as its motto "It's Broadway Our Way."

For more information about Eastlight go to www.eastlighttheatre.com.

PEORIA CABARET THEATRE

Peoria native Andrew Driscoll, himself a professional actor, founded the Peoria Cabaret Theatre as a venue for original and licensed interactive improvisation dinner theatre. Shows are presented at The Waterhouse in downtown Peoria, which also is a popular venue for other events, such as wedding receptions and banquets.

But the company also will perform at other venues within 90 miles of Peoria.

The Cabaret has three shows it can take on the road for special events. They are "The Awesome 80s Prom," "The Lebanese/Redneck Wedding" that is in the style of the popular "Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding," and "Murder at LaVieux Carre: A Mardi Gras Whodunnit."

"The Awesome '80s Prom" will be performed at The Waterhouse on July 27 and 28.

For more information about the
Peoria Cabaret Theatre go to
www.peoriacabarettheatre.com

All of the theatres mentioned above can be found on Facebook, as well.

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