Tag: Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

Lyric Theatre returns to the Krannert Center stage with ‘Fun Home’

URBANA — Lyric Theatre @ Illinois returns to the Krannert Center stage Thursday evening with a production of the Tony Award-winning musical, “Fun Home.” The show is an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name, written by Alison Bechdel, which looks at the relationship between Alison and her father, who are both gay,

Illinois Theater comedy exemplifies more diversity on stage

URBANA – A theater production with Latinx representative characters premiered last weekend at the University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. It is part of a co-director’s effort to see more people of color on stage. Native Gardens, a play written by Karen Zacarias, is a comedy that discusses race, class and privilege, between

Theatre’s Gradual Return In C-U

  URBANA — Things haven’t been easy for community theaters in Champaign-Urbana this past year, according to their leaders. Kelly Nowlin, executive director of the Champaign Urbana Theatre Company (or CUTC), said they’ve been unable to do any live shows since they canceled their March 2020 show in the middle of its run. “It was

C-U Native Somi Discusses Grammy Nomination, Short Film

URBANA — Vocalist and composer Somi grew up in Champaign-Urbana, and her mother still lives here. Somi was in St. Louis working on a theater project when the pandemic forced it into hiatus. Rather than fly back to her home in New York City, the early epicenter of the pandemic, she drove three hours to

Jupiter String Quartet To Perform New Piece Virtually Friday

URBANA — You can see the Jupiter String Quartet in concert Friday afternoon — virtually, of course — performing a piece commissioned in part by Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Composer Michi Wiancko wrote the piece To Unpathed Waters, Undreamed Shores as a tribute “to the beauty and vitality of the natural world.” After

Krannert Center Cancels All Public, In-Person Fall Events

The University of Illinois’ Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has announced the cancellation of all public, in-person performances this fall. Illinois Newsroom’s Brian Moline spoke with Krannert Center Director Mike Ross about the decision. Ross says they consulted with many different stakeholders before making the decision, and considered several factors. “As the understanding about

Music Teachers Share Hope With C-U Sing-Along

URBANA – People in the Champaign-Urbana community and beyond are invited to take part in the first C-U Sing-Along Saturday at 4pm.   The event will be led via Facebook, and participants are invited to join in wherever they are, and post videos of their own singing. The Sing-Along is being organized by several groups,

Joint Production Of ‘Cabaret’ Playing At Krannert

A joint production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Cabaret” opened Thursday night at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. The Illinois Theatre, Dance at Illinois, and Lyric Theatre @ Illinois programs are combining to put on this production in celebration of Krannert Center’s 50th anniversary. Illinois Newsroom’s Brian Moline spoke with Cabaret director

Rachel Barton Pine To Perform With C-U Symphony

Award-winning violinist Rachel Barton Pine is the featured soloist with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra this weekend, first for their concert at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Saturday night, then for a special Sunday Salon fundraising event at Urbana Country Club on Sunday. Brian Moline speaks with violinist Rachel Barton Pine. Pine will perform the