Randy Stewart

It’s slapstick comedy as only Shakespeare could do it: his 1594 farce “Comedy of Errors,” in a new production by the Missouri State University Theatre and Dance Department, running November 21-24 in the Craig Hall Coger Theatre.  We talked with Dr. Kyle Thomas, MSU Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance and Coordinator of the department’s BA/BS Theatre Program.  He’s in his first semester on the faculty, and directs this production.                                 

Messiah Project presents their annual "Holiday Prelude" performance, featuring "Holiday Memories in Song" and Gian-Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on Friday, November 15th at 7 PM, and Saturday, November 16th at 2 PM at Venture Church, 1515 West Elfindale Street in Springfield.  We were joined on “Arts News” by Messiah Project’s Lindsey Robison, and one of the vocalists performing in “Amahl,” tenor Eric Meruelo, singing the role of King Kaspar.                                          

Drury University Theatre presents the satirical musical "Urinetown" by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann November 13-16 in Wilhoit Theatre in Drury’s Breech building. The show satirizes, among other things, the legal system, capitalism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, and even musical theater itself. Director Josh Inman confirmed that “it is a satire, though it does touch on a serious subject: what happens when power takes over and society loses control.  But it’s all told through really fun song and dance, and it’s everything you want in a musical! It’s great.

Springfield Catholic High School, 2340 S. Eastgate, does a big musical theatre production every fall and spring. This year’s autumn production is "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," a musical comedy based on the Victor Hugo novel using Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken’s songs from the 1996 Disney animated film adaptation. Father Lewis Hejna, director of Springfield Catholic High's theater program, and Pastor at St.

For their 25th anniversary, Springfield Contemporary Theatre reunites with longtime collaborator Sandra Asher to present the world premiere of her newest play, "Death Valley: A Love Story." This production is directed by Jefferson Award nominated guest director Alan Souza from New York, and stars Andie Bottrell, Rachel Jamieson and Sarah J. Wiggin. It runs October 25-November 10 at SCT Center Stage in Wilhoit Plaza, corner of Pershing and Robberson downtown.