THE UNDERPANTS – September 29th - October 8th, 2017
BULLETS FOR BROADWAY – November 10th - 19th, 2017
AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME – February 23rd - March 4th, 2018
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN– APRIL 13th - 22nd, 2018
Friday, September 8, 2017
Bradley University Theater - 2017 - 2018 Season
LITTLE WOMEN - THE MUSICAL – October 19th - 29th, 2017
ENGLISH MADE SIMPLE AND OTHER SHORT PLAYS – November 15th - 19th, 2017
DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE – February 15th - 25th, 2018
PICNIC – April 19th - 29th, 2018
LITTLE WOMEN - THE MUSICAL – October 19th - 29th, 2017
ENGLISH MADE SIMPLE AND OTHER SHORT PLAYS – November 15th - 19th, 2017
DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE – February 15th - 25th, 2018
PICNIC – April 19th - 29th, 2018
Peoria Players Theater - 2017 - 2018 Season
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME – September 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 26, 17
THE WOMAN IN BLACK – October 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15
ROCK OF AGES – November 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19
SUNSET BLVD – February 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
BONNIE & CLYDE – March 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18
MAMA MIA! – May 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME – September 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 26, 17
THE WOMAN IN BLACK – October 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15
ROCK OF AGES – November 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19
SUNSET BLVD – February 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
BONNIE & CLYDE – March 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18
MAMA MIA! – May 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13
Peoria Civic Center Theater - 2017 - 2018 Season
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL – October 17th - 19th, 2017
DIRTY DANCING – November 28th & 29th, 2017
THE SOUND OF MUSIC – February 10th & 11th, 2018
THE WIZARD OF OZ – April 25th & 26th, 2018
MOTOWN THE MUSICAL – October 17th - 19th, 2017
DIRTY DANCING – November 28th & 29th, 2017
THE SOUND OF MUSIC – February 10th & 11th, 2018
THE WIZARD OF OZ – April 25th & 26th, 2018
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Peoria Civic Center Theater - 2015 - 2016 Season
KINKY BOOTS –September 22nd - 27th, 2015 (8 performances)
THE ILLUSIONISTS – October 21st & 22nd, 2015
I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE –February 10th & 11th, 2016
BULLETS OVER BROADWAY – March 1st & 2nd, 2016
ANNIE – April 12th & 13th, 2016
THE BOOK OF MORMAN – June 7th - 11th, 2016 (8 performances)
Saturday, September 7, 2013
- Theater Review - Les Miserables
Peoria Players opened their 95th season Friday night with a stunning production of "Les Miserables".
Based on the iconic Victor Hugo novel, this story has a bit of everything - love, passion, politics, penance, redemption, faith, and the meaning of life.
As a musical, it has been wildly popular and is, indeed, one of this patron's favorite modern musicals.
Given the show's soaring, operatic score, it is also a difficult and ambitious undertaking for any amateur theater group. I held my breath in anticipation, wondering if Peoria Players could pull it off.
I am happy to report that not only did they "pull it off", but this production replaces "Drowsy Chaperone" on my list as the best thing I have ever seen on the Players' stage!
With a large cast of dozens, there was not a single mediocre vocal performance in the lot.
Among the principles, it is extemely difficult to single out any performance as being superior to the others. Having said that, John Huerta as Inspector Javert was nearly flawless. Likewise, Brian Witkowsi as Marius, has a quite amazing and powerful voice. These two could easily have thrown away their body mics and still deliver the performances they did.
Although his voice cracked on the admittedly difficult but beautiful "Bring Him Home", Charles Brown was excellent as Jean Valjean. According to the program this was Mr. Brown's first leading role at PPT in 34 years! Please, Mr. Brown, do not stay away so long!
Ashley Rufus (Fantine) did a great job on the classic "I Dreamed a Dream". Chloe Martin's wonderful performance as Cosette was only marred by her microphone cutting out during two of her beautiful numbers. Lindsey Pugh also was excellent as the star-crossed Eponine.
Veteran actor Steve Bortolotti and Rachel Lewis shone as the dastardly but lovable Thenardiers. Their delivery of the comic-relief "Master of the House" was precisely executed. Not only did the actors belt out the number appropriately, but they moved seamlessly among their guests relieving them of their valuables in a perfectly choreographed number.
In a brilliant bit of casting, Gianna Colombo as Gavroche was a double threat. Not only did this young lady deliver a great vocal performance, but her acting was superb. I predict a great future for this young actress. I only hope she is in dance class as well in order to become the proverbial triple threat!
In a presentation of this caliber, one must acknowledge the director. Indeed, Connie Sinn's direction was apparent in the attention to every detail in this show. I have seldom seen such focus on the part of the actors. Anytime you have dozens of people on the stage at once, you can usually see one or two scanning the audience or mugging for their relatives. I never saw a single actor 'out of character' and I attribute this to Ms. Sinns' direction.
As stated earlier, this is one of my favorite modern musicals. I still get goosebumps when the priest gives the symbolic candlesticks to Valjean or during the wrenching "Bring Him Home". And who can keep a dry eye with lyrics such as "to love another person is to see the face of God"?
Thank you to Peoria Players, Connie Sinn, and the remarkable cast for such a wonderful opener. I hope that the rest of the 95th season will be half as good.
Les Miserables continues through September 15th at the theater in Lakeview Park.
Sellouts are likely so get your tickets ASAP!
The box office number is 309-688-4473.
.
Based on the iconic Victor Hugo novel, this story has a bit of everything - love, passion, politics, penance, redemption, faith, and the meaning of life.
As a musical, it has been wildly popular and is, indeed, one of this patron's favorite modern musicals.
Given the show's soaring, operatic score, it is also a difficult and ambitious undertaking for any amateur theater group. I held my breath in anticipation, wondering if Peoria Players could pull it off.
I am happy to report that not only did they "pull it off", but this production replaces "Drowsy Chaperone" on my list as the best thing I have ever seen on the Players' stage!
With a large cast of dozens, there was not a single mediocre vocal performance in the lot.
Among the principles, it is extemely difficult to single out any performance as being superior to the others. Having said that, John Huerta as Inspector Javert was nearly flawless. Likewise, Brian Witkowsi as Marius, has a quite amazing and powerful voice. These two could easily have thrown away their body mics and still deliver the performances they did.
Although his voice cracked on the admittedly difficult but beautiful "Bring Him Home", Charles Brown was excellent as Jean Valjean. According to the program this was Mr. Brown's first leading role at PPT in 34 years! Please, Mr. Brown, do not stay away so long!
Ashley Rufus (Fantine) did a great job on the classic "I Dreamed a Dream". Chloe Martin's wonderful performance as Cosette was only marred by her microphone cutting out during two of her beautiful numbers. Lindsey Pugh also was excellent as the star-crossed Eponine.
Veteran actor Steve Bortolotti and Rachel Lewis shone as the dastardly but lovable Thenardiers. Their delivery of the comic-relief "Master of the House" was precisely executed. Not only did the actors belt out the number appropriately, but they moved seamlessly among their guests relieving them of their valuables in a perfectly choreographed number.
In a brilliant bit of casting, Gianna Colombo as Gavroche was a double threat. Not only did this young lady deliver a great vocal performance, but her acting was superb. I predict a great future for this young actress. I only hope she is in dance class as well in order to become the proverbial triple threat!
In a presentation of this caliber, one must acknowledge the director. Indeed, Connie Sinn's direction was apparent in the attention to every detail in this show. I have seldom seen such focus on the part of the actors. Anytime you have dozens of people on the stage at once, you can usually see one or two scanning the audience or mugging for their relatives. I never saw a single actor 'out of character' and I attribute this to Ms. Sinns' direction.
As stated earlier, this is one of my favorite modern musicals. I still get goosebumps when the priest gives the symbolic candlesticks to Valjean or during the wrenching "Bring Him Home". And who can keep a dry eye with lyrics such as "to love another person is to see the face of God"?
Thank you to Peoria Players, Connie Sinn, and the remarkable cast for such a wonderful opener. I hope that the rest of the 95th season will be half as good.
Les Miserables continues through September 15th at the theater in Lakeview Park.
Sellouts are likely so get your tickets ASAP!
The box office number is 309-688-4473.
.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Peoria Civic Center Theater - 2013 - 2014 Season
CHICAGO –September 24th & 25th, 2013 - 7:30pm both nights
MEMPHIS – October 26th,2013 - 3pm and 7:30pm both nights
MAMMA MIA –December 3rd& 4th, 2013 – 7:30pm both nights
MILLIONDOLLAR QUARTET – January 7th & 8th, 2014 – 7:00pm both nights
FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL – February 17th, 18th & 19th, 2014 – 7:30pm all nights
ADDAMS FAMILY – May 5th & 6th, 2014 – 7:30pm both nights
-EXTRAS-
ELF THE MUSICAL- November 5th & 6th – 7:30pm both nights
BLUE MAN GROUP – April 9th & 10th,2014 – 7:30pm both nights
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