Theater Review: Spinning Into Butter

Theater Review: A frank discussion on race — with humor
The question at the heart of “Spinning Into Butter” — the play that opened Friday at the University of Illinois Springfield’s Studio Theatre — is whether we should be judged by our actions or our intentions.
A student may not want to be categorized by his ethnicity, but should he buckle and check a box if it leads to a scholarship? A person may hold racist attitudes, but is it a problem if they’re outwardly polite and do not discriminate?
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BY BRIAN MACKEY

THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

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Review: Faith, ideals, humanity themes of 'The Runner Stumbles'

Although the UIS Theatre's production of "The Runner Stumbles" is set a full century ago, when Catholic Church rituals and practices were much more structured and Catholics were struggling to gain acceptance in America's predominantly Protestant culture, its themes and plot elements remain timely.

On one level, "Runner", which plays today, Sunday, and April 29-May 1 at the University of Illinois Springfield Studio Theatre, appears to present familiar, almost stereotyped, images of a tradition-bound, repressive Catholic Church and backward, suspicious small-town residents, blended with a traditional murder mystery. But on a deeper level it is about the eternal struggle to reconcile faith, reason, and emotion and aspire to high ideals without losing touch with one's humanity...

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Review by Elaine Spencer

The State-Journal Register

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UIS play looks at questions of duty, faith

On its surface, “The Runner Stumbles” is a murder mystery about whether a priest killed a nun.

Milan Stitt’s play, which opens Friday in a production by UIS Theatre, digs much deeper than that, looking at questions of faith and duty, to oneself and God.

Director Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, an assistant professor of theater at the University of Illinois Springfield, said the story has a timeless quality.

Based on a true story from rural Michigan in 1911, the story unfolds in flashbacks. It opens with Father Rivard (Dug Hall) in jail, accused of murdering Sister Rita (Ellyn Thorson).

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Article by Brian Mackey
The State-Journal Register
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UIS Theatre to stage first Shakespeare play

The instructions were coming fast.

Critique. Encouragement. Next.

“Orlando, ‘How bitter it is to look at happiness through another man’s eyes.’ ... You can still go a little further with that being hard for you.”

“Audrey, let’s cut the sniffing of the armpits. But, boy, I appreciate trying stuff like that.”...

Article by Brian Mackey
The State Journal-Register
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