Slavery in the shadow of Lincoln

Presidential Museum commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with Flight

Playwright Charlayne Woodard has something in common with her characters. Like Oh Beah, Mercy, Ezra, Alma, and Nate – the five slaves in Flight’s ensemble – Woodard is compelled to t

Spotlight on Ice

This year’s show features witches, greasers, and man-eating plants!

What do an Olympic figure skater, your favorite musicals and the greatest family entertainment in the area have in common? If you’re thinking of the Ice Capades then you’re in for a season

A rich season for local theater

The new year has begun with some new titles on area stages and several more are coming up in the coming weeks.Seeing the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee recently (a Springfield Thea

Springfield’s Mature Mob is back

Veteran performers host annual show to benefit Senior Services

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that members of The Mature Mob – Springfield’s over 50 singing and dancing troupe – are a little more “hip” than average senior citi

Onstage, a vet tells it like it was

A Long Way Home depicts the struggle of coming back from war

When Springfield resident Tom Jones reads about or meets a young veteran returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, something deep within him stirs. Jones remembers well the difficulties of adjusting to life

Footeprints

New Salem production brings Foote’s last play to life

When Horton Foote died last year at the age of 92, America lost one of its most prolific and endearing dramatists. Foote, who was still writing until his last days, completed more than 60 plays and sc

Cat in the Hat takes the cake

Seussical, The Musical, opens the Muni’s season, 60 years after it all began

Only through the lens of the late Theodor Seuss Geisle, better known as Dr. Seuss, can a chaotic menagerie of made-up creatures bring order and wisdom from whimsy and fun. Filled with comedies such as

Expressions in the Dark goes red

Springfield embraces artists of the spoken word

In a city largely absent of activities and events related to African American culture, Springfield’s black residents have long suffered from the “there’s-nothing-to-do syndrome.&rdqu

A spectacle of Chinese history and culture

Shen Yun, mixing art and politics, comes to Sangamon Auditorium

Five thousand years of Chinese performing arts and culture will take the stage Feb. 9 at Sangamon Auditorium in a multimillion-dollar touring production called Shen Yun (“divine character”

First Night 2009

Ringing in the new year doesn’t need to be an adults-only party. Instead, welcome 2010 with a celebration of family-friendly arts, music and theater at the 23rd annual First Night. This year&rsq