Theatre Reviews

"Addams Family" offers humor, and a visual treat Oct 15, 2015

The musical “The Addams Family” is based on the familiar presents a new story with familiar characters dating back to the 1920s. Stan Strickler reviews a production now on stage at Peoria Players Theatre, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Charles Addams was a master of macabre, dark humor. His work has been translated into a television show, a couple of movies, and now a musical. The show, in a regional premiere at Peoria Players, is funny, visually stunning, and a delightful evening of theater. Although the play is a little dark, it is punctuated with cornball humor, and references to current events that make the traditional story a delight. The story revolves around the Addams family familiar to most audience members, but it has been updated. Wednesday, their oldest child, is now contemplating marriage to a conventional young man. Wednesday has

"The Color Purple" offers powerful, but heartfelt experience Aug 26, 2015

Corn Stock Theatre closes its summer season with the regional premiere of “The Color Purple.” It’s a musical adaptation of the best-selling novel. Stan Strickler has this review of a production at Corn Stock Theatre, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. The Color Purple did not just open on Friday night at Corn Stock Theatre; it exploded with great force and power with a wonderful opening gospel number before revealing its tender story of love, resilience, and redemption. It alternates between rousing gospel songs, sweet love songs, and a beautiful song of hope and belief. The story, which deals with modern more mature subject matter than older musicals, revolves around Celie and her relationships. It begins with her as a pregnant fourteen-year-old girl living with her sister and her abusive stepfather. Eventually she is forced to marry Mister, who beats

"Secret Garden" delivers a high-quality production Jul 16, 2015

Set in the early 1900s, “The Secret Garden” tells the story of an orphaned girl, sent to live with her widowed uncle in England. A production at Corn Stock Theatre features Broadway actor and Peoria native Bart Shatto. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. In my email I get countless offers to see Broadway in Chicago, but one doesn’t need to travel to see Broadway caliber entertainment. “The Secret Garden” is Broadway caliber and then some. It is a beautiful production with great singing, wonderful dancing, and an emotional story that moves the audience. While this musical is not as well known as many others, it deserves a sold out audience every night in this production. The story revolves around Mary Lennox. Her family is killed in a cholera epidemic and she is sent to England to live with her uncle Archibald Craven, a man

"Dixie Swim Club" explores relationships among five college friends Jun 24, 2015

The relationships that form among five women in college form the basis of the play “The Dixie Swim Club.” Stan Strickler has this review of a production at Corn Stock Theatre, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Rarely do men get together to talk and socialize. Women however, can congregate, converse, and just be together. The Dixie Swim Club currently playing at Corn Stock Theater illustrates this concept, as five women congregate annually for their swim team reunion. They talk about problems with their husbands, raising children, and their ambitions. But mostly they just relate to each other, strengthening the bonds which brought them together. The play opens twenty-two years after the women graduated from college and traces them over the next thirty-three years. All of them were on a college swim team. Sheree was the captain, and is the planner of the

Review - "Brigadoon" Jun 03, 2015

Last Friday, Corn Stock Theatre opened its production of the classic Lerner and Lowe musical “Brigadoon.” Stan Strickler has this review, for Peoria Public Radio and the Peoria Live Theatre League. Stan Strickler reviewed Corn Stock Theatre’s production of “Brigadoon.” Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of WCBU or the Peoria Live Theatre League. All of our theatre reviews are available on our web site at Peoria Public Radio DOT ORG.

Review - "Damn Yankees" May 07, 2015

One baseball fan’s lament, and an actual “deal with the Devil,” set off the action in the musical, “Damn Yankees.” A production is currently underway at Peoria Players Theatre. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Damn Yankees opened appropriately on Friday at Peoria Players just as baseball season is beginning. The show is a nostalgic look back at baseball when the Yankees won the pennant every year, and were the team everyone loved to hate. Like many 50’s musicals it has a love story, some dance numbers, comic characters and oddly enough a requisite song with a Spanish flair. The story revolves around Joe Boyd -- an avid Washington Senators fan who is tired of losing to the Yankees every year and says he would sell his soul for a long ball hitter for his favorite team. Enter Mr. Applegate who promises to make Joe that

"Pirates of Penzance" is lively and "comically fun" Mar 18, 2015

Peoria Players Theatre continues its season with a production of “The Pirates of Penzance,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta that brings together orphans, musical pirates and a modern major-general. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Do you remember when Victoria was Queen and the sun never set on the British Empire and all was right with the world? Neither do I. But Peoria Players has recreated that world for us with its latest production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, a frothy light hearted romp that is as sparkling as champagne and as sweet as marshmallow fudge. No need to fear these pirates, for they have never won a battle. They are too soft hearted, always giving up the fight should anyone declare themselves an orphan. The story revolves around Frederic an apprentice to the Pirate King and his

"Other Desert Cities" offers nuanced performances Jan 28, 2015

Corn Stock Theatre’s production of 2015 is “Other Desert Cities,” a 2011 family drama written by Jon Robin Baitz. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Sometimes, I am astounded by the talent on Peoria area stages, and “Other Desert Cities” -- currently playing at Corn Stock Winter Playhouse -- is an excellent example. The cast is outstanding, and the play moves along to a riveting climax. Paul Gordon is to be commended for assembling an all star cast and directing with such finesse. Psychologists tell us that keeping secrets within a family can result in misunderstanding and faulty family dynamics, and this play illustrates that nicely. The play opens on Christmas Eve, 2004 in Palm Springs, California, with the Wyeth family coming in from a tennis match. All seems happy and light, but as secrets unfold we start to see the

Review - "The Sound of Music" Dec 10, 2014

Peoria Players Theatre presents “The Sound of Music” as it final production in 2014. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Having me review The Sound of Music is a bit like asking a vegan to review the most popular steakhouse in town. While it is a much beloved musical, to me it seems dated and tired and much too sweet. The characters seem more like caricatures than real people and many of their changes in attitude seem unmotivated. But I suppose the fact that, for example, Captain von Trapp changes from a stern disciplinarian to a kindly father in the course of one song is a convention of musical theater. The story revolves around the widowed Captain von Trapp , his seven children, and Maria, who is assigned to be their governess. Maria immediately connects with the children, bringing music back into their lives, and she and

"November" hits close to home Oct 21, 2014

David Mamet’s play “November” offers a blistering satire of American politics, in its depiction of a U-S President. Marty Lynch reviews a production, now on stage at Corn Stock Theatre, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Elections are coming up, and what better way could Corn Stock Winter Playhouse celebrate than with a production of November ? David Mamet plies all of his skill in a behind the scenes look at a fictional president desperately trying to avoid a humiliating defeat. What I love best about it is the fact that it boils politics down to its simplest form: drama. This is a play that feels like it was written for us. Nobody needs to understand or enjoy politics to enjoy watching a man in power cling to it. We in particular don’t need to see this happen onstage when we see it on the news every day. That’s part of the magic of seeing this play in

Corn Stock production anchored by strong ensemble Sep 30, 2014

The Corn Stock Winter Playhouse opens its new season with a production of “Bare: The musical.” Douglas Okey [OAK-ee] has this review, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. There’s something oddly refreshing about “bare: the musical.” To be sure, the show does not explore new themes. It blazes no unexplored trails, musically speaking. And yet watching the show Friday evening felt new and fresh. Perhaps the credit goes to the outstanding cast of young performers. Also known as a “pop opera,” “bare” employs the sing-every-line device used by many recent musical playwrights, including Andrew Lloyd Webber. While the show has brief moments of spoken dialogue, the songs by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo carry the bulk of the narrative. In the wrong hands, a rock or pop opera can be difficult to follow. In the event, there were no worries. “bare” follows the teen

Social issues, music of "Ragtime" strike chord with today's audience Sep 10, 2014

Peoria Players Theatre kicks off their 96th season of shows with the powerful musical "Ragtime". While the show takes place in the early 1900’s, many of the complex social issues raised in the production…still resonate today. Stan Strickler has this review for the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. As the French proverb says, “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” certainly applies to the musical Ragtime currently playing at Peoria Players. Although the play takes place at the turn of the last century, it deals with issues still relevant today—immigration, racism, and the economics of inequality. This is not to say however that the play is merely a political statement, for it is not. It is an entertaining show filled with wonderful songs, great acting and singing, and beautiful sets and costumes. The show revolves around a typical American family of some wealth living

"Spamalot" delivers silliness and hearty laughs Aug 27, 2014

Corn Stock Theatre closes its summer season with a production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot .” Marty Lynch has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. School is back in session, but summer is still going strong at Corn Stock Theatre, where Monty Python’s Spamalot , the summer season’s last show opened last Friday. The silliness of Monty Python always seems to bring out giddiness in crowds. I never saw so many people chatting before a show as I did before this one. Monty Python has been around longer than I have, and they practically taught me what silly was. Take a natural setup, twist it on an absurd premise, and do everything you can to avoid taking the next logical step. I have always known that this musical was not an exact replica of Monty Python and the Holy Grail , but I have avoided reading it or listening to it because I knew this was an

Strong performances drive production of "Frog and Toad" Aug 05, 2014

A series of children’s books forms the basis of the musical “A Year with Frog and Toad,”which opened last weekend at Corn Stock Theatre. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Not often do people go to the theater and leave feeling as if they have just been given a warm hug, but such was the case at “A Year with Frog and Toad” currently playing at Corn Stock Theater. The show is by turns witty, entertaining, cute, and just about as charming as any show in recent memory. Truth be told, I cannot find enough superlatives to describe this show. The story line of the show based on children’s books by Arnold Lobel tells the story of two best friends as they go though a year together in what is basically a dream. It begins in the spring as Frog wakes up from hibernation and tries to wake his friend toad so they can have adventures

Character interactions and two strong debuts anchor "Guys and Dolls" Jul 15, 2014

Corn Stock Theatre continues its summer season with a production of “Guys and Dolls.” Marty Lynch has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Summer is in full swing, and that can only mean theatre is thriving at Corn Stock Theatre again. Guys & Dolls opened last night in weather that was just as wonderful as the show. This is a show that lots of people can love for different reasons. Some of us are hit with the nostalgia of post-war New York. A few of us remember the revivals. All of us were in or new someone that was in an amateur production. We all know this show. Once the orchestra starts playing the overture, we are all happy to be here. If you don’t know the show, then there’s plot to burn on this one. Basically, New York has a bunch of wise guys that want to gamble, and Nathan Detroit is the man to see. Nathan Detroit has a Doll named

Corn Stock production "strikes gold" with young performers Jun 25, 2014

Neil Simon’s play, “Lost in Yonkers” uses the playwright’s sharp humor to underscore a turbulent moment in the life of one American family. Douglas Okey has this review of a production at Corn Stock Theatre, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Neil Simon today is the theatrical equivalent of comfort food. We turn to him when we need something familiar and reassuring. He is perhaps the most critically adored of the more “popular” American playwrights. Simon even captured the Pulitzer Prize for “Lost in Yonkers,” currently on stage at Corn Stock Theatre under the capable direction of Amy Williams. As in Simon’s earlier play “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Lost in Yonkers” takes the point of view of a young Jewish boy from Brooklyn in the run-up to World War II, and reflects the upheaval of that era: Two sons of a recently widowed father must be placed with their imposing

Corn Stock season opens with "Funny Girl" Jun 03, 2014

Corn Stock Theatre opens its summer season with the musical “Funny Girl.” Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. When I was a young man I used to listen to the original cast album of “Funny Girl” until I almost wore a hole through the record. I had memorized most of the songs and I associated them with Barbra Streissand, the original star of the show. Whenever a show is so known for an iconic star, one wonders if other actors can ever fulfill the role as well. However, Katie McLuckie, starring in Corn Stock’s production, does an admirable job of bringing the musical to life. “Funny Girl” tells the story, somewhat fictionalized, of the early years of Fanny Brice. As a young girl, she dreams of stardom on Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies. She takes a part in a minor stage production where she meets and falls in love with Nick

Peoria Players finds a home for "Shrek: The Musical" May 06, 2014

Peoria Players Theatre is staging the first Central Illinois production of “Shrek: The Musical,” based on the animated films Marty Lynch has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Once in a while Broadway comes up with a show that’s just not like the others. Shrek: The Musical is one of those shows that just do not belong on the Broadway. Peoria feels like a better home for that lovable green ogre, and Peoria Players has brought Shrek home where he belongs. For the first time ever, I brought my four-year-old son to see a musical, and I was not sure how it was going to go. Apparently I was not the first person to introduce theatre to their children that night. The sound of their laughter is worth the price of admission. As it turns out, the show is exactly what it calls itself. If you know the film, then you know the musical. The biggest

"Humpty Dumpty" provides intense theatre experience Apr 23, 2014

Illinois Central College closes its current theatre season with Humpty Dumpty,” which uses the children’s nursery rhyme as a metaphor for contemporary life. Stan Strickler has this review for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League of Peoria. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall” We are all familiar with the childhood nursery rhyme, and Eric Bogasian uses that to great effect in his play, “Humpty Dumpty” which depicts the fall of people left to their own fears. A great fall and a shattering of their lives becomes apparent as their life unravels and -- like the egg in the nursery rhyme -- they crack. The plays opens at a summer cabin in the north woods surrounded by trees and a cheery interior. Into this idyllic scene come two couples, Max and Nicole, and Troy and Spoon. They are on vacation, wanting to get away from their hectic big city lives. Max

Players production strikes "dramatic gold" Mar 19, 2014

The play, “The Miracle Worker” re-tells the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan. Douglas Oakey has this review of a production at Peoria Players Theatre, for Peoria Public Radio and the Live Theatre League. Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer, not those of Peoria Public Radio or the Live Theatre League. Peoria Players Theatre dusts off William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker” this spring, directed by Charles Killen. Good news: The play retains all of its charm and emotional power. For those new to the show, it’s the classic story of famed deaf-and-blind author and activist Helen Keller, and the woman who first opened up the world to her, her teacher and long-time companion Annie Sullivan. Gibson’s telling of the story recounts the few weeks during which Annie first met and took on the challenge of bringing the child Helen out of the prison imposed by her blocked senses. The success of any production of “The Miracle Worker” rests mostly on the onstage chemistry between the

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