DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University’s School of Theatre & Dance begins its production season on Thursday, Oct. 5, with “The Moors” opening at the Virginia Rogers Theatre on Millikin’s campus.
“The Moors” is the perfect production to prepare you for the Halloween season. It is the tale of two sisters living with their maid and dog, awaiting the arrival of the new governess. Gothic terror and wonder grow as everything is as it should be, but nothing is what it seems on the vast and savage countryside of the moors.
“The Moors” is written by Jen Silverman and directed by Denise Myers. The production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Performances are daily on Thurs.-Sat., Oct. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at kirklandfinearts.com.
Five more productions will take the stage at the Virginia Rogers Theatre and Albert Taylor Theatre season. Here is a complete rundown of what theatre fans have to look forward to in 2023-24.
Nov. 9-12 - “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical”
Based on the bestselling Disney-Hyperion novel by Rick Riordan, this show is an action-packed theatrical adventure that will rock your world — and the underworld.
The Greek gods are real and ruining Percy Jackson’s life. As a son of Poseidon, Percy has newly discovered powers he can’t control, monsters on his trail, and he is on an epic quest to find Zeus’ lightning bolt and prevent a war between the gods. Normal is a myth when you’re a demigod.
“The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” is directed by Kevin Long, with music directed by Beth Creighton. It is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Performances are daily on Thurs.-Sat., Nov. 9-Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Rogers Theatre. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at kirklandfinearts.com.
Dec. 7-9 - “Solstice: A Concert of Dance”
This annual crowd-favorite showcases creativity, beauty, and movement that highlights the awe-inspiring talent of the dance department in the Center for Theatre & Dance’s signature space.
We live in a world of perpetual motion. Join us as we transform motion into art in a concert of dances choreographed by both students and faculty. A range of themes, moods and styles will be depicted.
“Solstice: A Concert of Dance” is directed by Angela Fleddermann Miller.
Performances are daily on Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 7-8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Rogers Theatre. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at kirklandfinearts.com.
March 7-10 - “The Learned Ladies”
“The Learned Ladies” is one of Molière’s great farces. This modernized adaptation satirizes the pretensions of academics and the logic of people in love. The play finds the young Henriette hoping to marry the handsome Clotilde. But Henriette’s mother, aunt and older sister have other ideas. In their overzealous quest for education and empowerment, these “learned ladies” want Henriette to marry Trissotin, the mediocre scholar-poet Henriette’s mother has taken in. Add a meek but well-meaning husband, a practical brother-in-law and a few mouthy servants, and a hilarious night at the theatre follows.
“The Learned Ladies” is written by Freyda Thomas and Molière and directed by Jefferson Farber. It is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Performances are daily on Thurs.-Sat., March 7-9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 10 at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Rogers Theatre. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at kirklandfinearts.com.
April 6-7 - “Circus Olympus”
“Circus Olympus” by Lindsay Price brings the spectacular world of the circus to the magical realm of Greek mythology. A circus of players reenact some of your favorite myths — Persephone in the Underworld, Perseus vs Medusa, and more! The storytelling combines acrobatics and theatricality to create a performance the whole family will enjoy!
“Circus Olympus” is directed by Julia Moriarty. Performances are Sat., April 6, at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Sun., April 7, at 2 p.m. at the Albert Taylor Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children and are available at the door.
Produced by special arrangement with Theatrefolk (theatrefolk.com).
May 2-5 - “The Spell of Red River”
“The Spell of Red River” is an intergenerational story about family, grief and finding your magic. When Vel inherits a mysterious school building in her recently deceased mother’s hometown, she searches for answers to questions about her family history that her mother took to the grave. Along the way, she meets a plucky Technocoven of college students who help her solve the mystery of the Spell of Red River. Vel is a witch and has a unique aptitude for psychometry — the ability to discover facts about an event or person by touching inanimate objects associated with them.
“The Spell of Red River” is the first musical commissioned by Millikin’s New Musicals Workshop and is made possible through a leap of faith and a generous donation from Charlene Callison and Larry Balsamo. It is directed by Lori Bales, with music Directed by Kevin Long.
Performances are daily on Thurs.-Sat., May 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., May 5 at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Rogers Theatre. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at kirklandfinearts.com.
For further information, please contact LJ Pemberton, Marketing and Patron Relations Manager at Kirkland Fine Arts Center at 217.424.3931 or lpemberton@millikin.edu.
