Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Omigod, You Guys! I'm Serious! Legally Blonde is Coming!


"College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School! Based on the hit movie of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde the Musical is the award-winning Broadway sensation created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier Award-nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray). This all singing, all dancing, feel good musical comedy will be the highlight of your year. Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard's Halls of Justice with the brightest new heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser).The verdict? This much fun shouldn't be legal!"

Ummm... check out the website's "Fun Stuff" section- including videos of the London cast performing numbers from the show: OMIGOD! CLICK HERE!

So, do you, like, have your tickets?! No? You should totally click HERE for more info!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Jamie Cavanaugh project a success!

On Friday, November 5, Sangamon Auditorium hosted a particularly unique project, “The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh.”  This play, by the innovative Canadian theater company, Roseneath Theatre, presented a family story of a young girl’s diagnosis and ultimate treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  Additional social themes in the thoughtful script included in-school bullying and divorce. 

The day started with a Class Acts performance of the play attended by 550 3rd-8th grade students and teachers from throughout central Illinois. 

Later in the day, 35 educators and parents participated in a professional development event, “Exploring ADHD,” that began with a presentation by Dr. Glen Aylward from SIU School of Medicine.  Dr. Aylward’s presentation, “ADHD: Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment,” offered discussion about diagnostic issues, common misconceptions regarding ADHD, how it overlaps with other problems, and suggestions for interventions. Dr. Aylward’s presentation was made possible through Springfield Parents for Students with Disabilities. 

Also later in the day, 150 Girl Scouts, parents, and troop leaders from throughout central Illinois participated in a badge-earning event, “Dealing with Drama,” which included two learning components: one session about bullying taught by the Girl Scouts, and one session about drama taught by Carly Shank of Sangamon Auditorium. 

Beginning at 6 p.m., public displays and activities in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby highlighted learning about disabilities and disability resources in our community.  Attendees were able to try a mirror-tracing activity that mimicked how the brain of a person with dyslexia might have difficulty drawing.  In keeping with the themes of the play, attendees were also able to create a logo for their own super hero and write a recipe for friendship.

Finally, at 7 p.m., the main event occurred with the UIS Family Series presentation of “The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh.”  The five hundred in attendance were able to enjoy the performance and a brief post-show question-and-answer session with the performers from Roseneath Theatre.

Many thanks to our community partners in this effort, Springfield Parents for Students with Disabilities and The Children’s Center, a program of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, a Memorial Health System affiliate.  Along with Peggy Cormeny from Springfield Public Schools, these groups were incredibly instrumental in helping to spread the word in the community and help make the event a resounding success!  

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A&E Notebook: 'Spring Awakening,' 'Altar Boyz'


‘Spring Awakening’ coming to UIS

The critically acclaimed and award-winning rock musical “Spring Awakening” will be presented at 8 p.m. Sunday in Sangamon Auditorium, on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield.

The show is set in a provincial German town in the 1890s, and tells the story of a group of teenagers discovering their sexuality...

From the SJ-R. To read more, CLICK HERE!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Drumline LIVE! at Sangamon Auditorium on November 21st!



Drumline LIVE! will be at Sangamon Auditorium on Sunday, November 21st at 7 p.m. (This event is sponsored by 99.7 KISS FM)

Showbiz Chicago says, "Drumline LIVE" dazzles with explosive choreography and thrilling spectacle…"

The Morning Call says this about Drumline LIVE!: It’s a marching band extravaganza that parades out of the football stadium onto the stage with explosive percussion, resounding brass and dazzling choreography.

Check out this clip from the group's March 10, 2009 performance: CLICK HERE!

Visit www.sangamonauditorium.org for tickets and more information!

See you there!



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Spring Awakening at Sangamon Auditorium on November 14 at 8 p.m.

Spring Awakening, the winner of 8 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), will be making its first appearance at Sangamon Auditorium on November 14th. The shows starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are on-sale now!

CLICK HERE for a clip of the original Broadway cast (including GLEE star, Lea Michele as Wendla) performing at the 2007 Tony Awards to give you a taste of this award-winning musical.

Broadway’s most talked about new musical is now the biggest Tony Award Winner in years. SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that has awakened Broadway like no other musical in years. Winner of 8 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, SPRING AWAKENING celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget. We agree with the NY Times “Broadway may never be the same again!”

“HAUNTING AND ELECTRIFYING! This brave new musical has a shivery sensual allure unmatched by anything in the theatre right now.” – Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

You can visit the SPRING AWAKENING ON TOUR website by clicking HERE.

For more information and ticket purchasing opportunities, visit our website at www.sangamonauditorium.org. Get your tickets now!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Exploring ADHD through the play ‘The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh’



The challenges children endure in facing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder will take center stage at Sangamon Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday. The play, "The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh," examines the disorder through the eyes of a young schoolgirl.

The play provides understanding for children and families who have a connection to ADHD.

...

BY TODD SMITH
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

Read the article