May 04 Sunday
Sex. Drugs. Murder. Clowns. Clown Bar will plunge you into a gritty, darkly hilarious underworld where the gangsters wear greasepaint and every punchline could be your last. This outrageous neo-noir play follows former clown turned cop Happy Mahoney as he’s dragged back to the seedy dive he once called home in order to solve his brother’s murder.
SPEAKEASY TAKEOVER!
Give the password at the door as we transform the WSSR into a speakeasy! The bar will be open starting 1 hour before each performance. Come early to have a drink, mingle with the clowns, and experience a variety of Clown Cabaret acts!
DRESS UP AS A CLOWN!
Audience members who come dressed as clowns get $5 of Clown Cash good toward anything at the bar!
May 08 Thursday
Artists Ensemble Theater of Rockford presents "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," murder mystery adapted by Margaret Raether from the novel by Agatha Christie, May 8-25 in Rockford University's Cheek Theatre.
When Dr. Sheppard gets a phone call that Roger Ackroyd is dead, he grabs his medical bag and rushes to Roger’s home. A bewildered butler insists that no such call was made. In fact, Ackroyd is in his study, door locked from the inside, and quite dead. Only Hercule Poirot can unmask the killer in this locked room mystery.
The production is directed by AET Producing Artistic Director Richard Raether and features Russell Konstans, David A. Gingerich, Shannon Coltrane, Charlie Rasmann, Emmarie Wilson and Ian Garthwaite. This is the world premiere of local playwright Margaret Raether’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery.
Performances are Thursday – Saturday at 7:30, with matinees at 4:00 on Saturday and 2:00 on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased at artistsensemble.org or by calling 815-394-5004. This play is recommended for middle school ages and up.
Artists’ Ensemble is the state line area’s resident professional theater, performing in residence at Rockford University.
May 09 Friday
Polo Area Community Theatre presents the comedy "The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood" weekends May 3-10 at Old Polo Town Hall.
In this frantically funny retelling of the traditional story, our gallant guy-in-green swaggers through in his quest to aid the needy. On the way he encounters some very unusual versions of the classic characters. Along with his spoon-wielding Merry Men, whose collective IQs equal six, he jaunts through Sherwood Forest on a mission to rescue Lady Marian. This action packed and silly adaptation is one the whole family will enjoy.
The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood will be presented May 2nd, 3rd, and 9th at 7pm, and the 4th and 10th at 2pm at the Old Polo Town Hall. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.polotheatre.org. Tickets are also available at the door.
May 10 Saturday