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'Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson' to rock Corn Stock
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- Published on Tuesday, 07 February 2017 19:19
- Written by Paul Gordon
When you think about rock musicals, the ones that may come to mind include “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Hair” and “Rent.” And these days, “Hamilton” usually enters the conversation.
One show that doesn’t,...
'Into The Woods' brings fantasy to life at Peoria Players
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 February 2017 14:43
- Written by Paul Gordon
Blending several well-known fairy tales into one musical sounds like something only a person who can’t get enough happily-ever-afters would do. At least, that is, until Act 2. Then it all changes.
That’s what one gets with the Stephen...
'Memphis' will rock as Corn Stock season finale
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- Published on Tuesday, 23 August 2016 18:34
- Written by Paul Gordon
Music transcended race in the 1950s, a time when people enjoyed what they heard on the radio without caring about who was playing, said Bryan Blanks. He hopes that message gets through in the musical “Memphis,” which opens Friday at Corn Stock Theatre.
“When you think...
Fantasy, suspense, humor: 'Evening of One Acts' open at Corn Stock
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- Published on Wednesday, 11 January 2017 17:26
- Written by Paul Gordon
A good thing about an evening of one-act plays is that you can laugh, cry, feel frightened or able to relate in a span of a couple hours. That’s the promise of the “Evening of One Acts” presented...
'Spitfire Grill' will be cooking at Corn Stock Theatre
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- Published on Tuesday, 02 August 2016 18:24
- Written by Paul Gordon
To say “The Spitfire Grill” is not your usual community theatre musical fare is pretty much an understatement.
'A Christmas Story The Musical' opens Friday at Peoria Players
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- Published on Thursday, 10 November 2016 17:35
- Written by Paul Gordon
Anybody who doesn’t know about the holiday classic film “A Christmas Story” must not own a television or is a true bah-humbugger.
The film that chronicles one Christmas for little Ralphie and his family and...
'Seussical' ready to light up Corn Stock stage
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- Published on Wednesday, 13 July 2016 17:00
- Written by Paul Gordon
Peggy Breaux Hupp knows the musical “Seussical the Musical” as...
'Tea and Sympathy,' classic drama about becoming a man, opens Friday at Corn Stock
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- Published on Monday, 07 November 2016 17:52
- Written by Paul Gordon
There is a question posed in the next play offered at Corn Stock Theatre’s Winter Playhouse that is subtle, but no less relevant to life today as in yesteryear. It is the question of who decides what is normal.
In “Tea and Sympathy,” which opens Friday...
'Beauty and the Beast' opens Friday at Eastlight
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- Published on Wednesday, 22 June 2016 18:19
- Written by Paul Gordon
When doing a musical for the community theatre stage, any director hopes for a show that is visually stunning and has the blend of vocal talent that will enthrall the audiences each night.
Classic drama 'Tea and Sympathy' opens Friday at Corn Stock
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- Published on Monday, 07 November 2016 17:52
- Written by Paul Gordon
There is a question posed in the next play offered at Corn Stock Theatre’s Winter Playhouse that is subtle, but no less relevant to life today as in yesteryear. It is the question of who decides what is normal.
In “Tea and Sympathy,” which opens Friday...
'Cheaper by the Dozen' set to open at Corn Stock
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- Published on Tuesday, 21 June 2016 17:13
- Written by Paul Gordon
Amy Williams has long loved the book “Cheaper by the Dozen” and hoped to someday be involved with the stage version of the biographical novel.
She got her wish. She is directing the comedy by the same name that opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. under the tent at Corn Stock Theatre...
'It's Only a Play' opens Corn Stock winter season
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- Published on Tuesday, 18 October 2016 16:35
- Written by Paul Gordon
When you’re going out for an evening and looking for something to do, a play called “It’s Only A Play” may not seem too thrilling.
But before you pass on it, you should know you would be missing out on a lot of laughter.
Peoria Players, FRIENDS collaborating on HIV testing
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- Published on Friday, 10 June 2016 16:57
- Written by The Peorian
This weekend at Lakeview Park in Peoria, Central Illinois FRIENDS will provide free HIV testing in their mobile unit from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday June 11 and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday June 12.
The testing will be done while Peoria Players Theatre will be performing “RENT.” The theatre will be continuing its collaboration of raising funds for Central Illinois...
Conklin’s “Heavenly Singers” Return to Five Points in “Forever Plaid”
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- Published on Wednesday, 28 September 2016 12:10
- Written by The Peorian
“Forever Plaid,” a long-time favorite of fans of Conklin’s Barn Theatre, opens a limited engagement Friday at Five Points Washington, the theatre company’s special home this year.
'Sugar' to open Corn Stock Theatre's summer season
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- Published on Wednesday, 01 June 2016 17:35
- Written by Paul Gordon
Mike Reams figured he missed out on his chance to dress in drag and run across the stage. Too old for it, he says.
But he didn’t have to give up on being involved with one of his bucket list musicals, “Sugar,” which opens Corn Stock Theatre’s 63rd...
'Beauty and the Beast' opens Peoria Players season
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- Published on Thursday, 08 September 2016 19:02
- Written by Paul Gordon
For years Peoria Players has tried to get the rights to produce Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” but was stymied for one reason or another. Other local community theatres had done it, but Players, the oldest continuously running community theatre in Illinois, had not.
'Hairspray' set to shine at Peoria Players
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- Published on Wednesday, 04 May 2016 18:55
- Written by Paul Gordon
Jeremy Kelly has performed in the musical “Hairspray” before, portraying Link Larkin sat another theatre’s production in 2011. He remembers well how much fun the musical can be, with its upbeat music and dance and comedic dialogue.
But that was not the chief...
'Saturday Night Fever' bringing disco back to Eastlight
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- Published on Wednesday, 07 September 2016 17:45
- Written by Paul Gordon
Tamra Challacombe faced a problem many community theatre directors have when time to cast a musical. That is, there are sometimes more than one or two shows in production, leaving a potential shortage...
'Hands on a Hardbody,' a musical about endurance, opens at Eastlight
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- Published on Thursday, 21 April 2016 17:20
- Written by Paul Gordon
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Down in Texas, the word hardbody is as much a part of everyday vernacular as pickup truck is in these parts of the country. In fact, Texans know that hardbody means pickup truck.
'Saturday Night Fever' bringing disco back to Eastlight
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 07 September 2016 17:45
- Written by Paul Gordon
Tamra Challacombe faced a problem many community theatre directors have when time to cast a musical. That is, there are sometimes more than one or two shows in production, leaving a potential shortage...
Benefit for those infected and affected by AIDS set for Friday
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- Published on Tuesday, 19 April 2016 15:47
- Written by Molly Crusen Bishop
AIDS/HIV awareness will be at the forefront of a benefit Friday night that was planned as part of an upcoming Peoria Players Theatre production of the renowned musical “Rent.”
“A Night With Friends,” a cabaret-style event scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at The Waterhouse...
