Theatre Reviews

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

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