The entertainment on stage this fall includes magic, musicals, murders and a lot of comic relief. With shows for the whole family to those for more mature audiences, everyone will find a favorite on Springfield's stages.
The Muni
Although summer is coming to a close, The Muni is giving us one more opportunity to enjoy its outdoor theater on Sept. 7. Rockballet is an electrifying fusion of classical ballet and iconic rock music, taking audiences on a thrilling journey through the most influential eras of rock 'n' roll. This innovative production showcases the dynamic versatility of Copper Coin Ballet Company. The band Downstate will provide the accompaniment.
UIS Performing Arts Center
American stand-up comedian Brad Williams will take the stage Aug. 24. He has become one of the most in-demand comedians working today and he loves to deliver on everyday life, sex, identity politics, current events and pop culture.
Area magicians Jesse James and Rha-Bea are making a return engagement to present the kind of entertaining magic and mind-reading peppered with the subtle comic sarcasm that you might find at a late-night show. On Sept. 6, Jesse James will perform magic and mind reading, and Rha-Bea will perform magic and clowning, in Comedy, Magic & Mentalism, part of the Date Night series. Based on true events, The Lifespan of a Fact tells the story of essayist John D'Agata and fact checker Jim Finhal who "navigate the lines of fact and truth." This critically acclaimed Broadway play, which will be on stage Sept. 26-29, is a fast-paced comedy with timely relevance, where facts and fiction are twisted in the high-stakes publishing world.
Hadestown, playing Oct. 23, intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.
Hoogland Center for the Arts
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family, in Mary Poppins. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives. Using magic and common sense, she teaches the family how to value each other again.
The show runs Aug. 23-25 and Aug. 30-Sep. 1.
13: The Musical is a coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows Evan, who moved from New York to podunk Appleton, Indiana. He needs to get the coolest kids to come to his bar mitzvah without alienating his true friends. It involves a lot of maneuvering around crushes and much adolescent drama. This production by the Springfield Theatre Centre will be on stage Sept. 20-22.
Capital City Improv is back with Longform. Different? Unexpected? Absolutely. The longform improv genre tells one continuous story with multiple scenes, all from a one-word suggestion. You can catch the show on Sept. 21, but be warned some scenes may not be appropriate for all ages.
Richard "Red" Skelton, America's favorite clown, was a comedian known for his work on national radio and television shows. He also had his own television comedy and variety show, "The Red Skelton Show," which aired from 1951 to 1971 and won three Emmys. Remembering Red - A Tribute to Red Skelton is the only tribute show endorsed by the Skelton estate, and Brian Hoffman will bring his expert portrayal of Red to the stage Sept. 29.
Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Hound of the Baskervilles, has been turned into a funny and murderous adventure by Ken Ludwig. Baskerville is presented by the Spencer Theatre company for a three-day run Oct. 11-13.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is an award-winning, "tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat." It is known to have "simultaneously shocked, awed and delighted audiences" around the world. The production runs Oct. 25-27 and Nov. 1-3.
Magic of the Mind is comedy hypnotist Jeff Harpring's new audience-interactive show where Harpring showcases his amazing magic and mind-boggling mentalism. This hypnotic entertainment experience will be on stage on Nov. 8.
The Legacy Theatre
Waitress - The New Broadway Musical is set to hit The Legacy's stage Oct. 11, where you will meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.
Looking ahead to see what the holiday season holds for the local theater scene, it looks like popular favorites are in store for audiences – Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, The Prophecy Show and Dual Piano Christmas, just to name a few. Check the Illinois Times calendar for show dates and times, along with ticket information.
