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,

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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