It’s not just Shakespeare, it’s an experience!
MooNIE and BrooNJuly 21st at 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Two performances, one day only! Bring the kids at 6:00 p.m. but leave them home for the 8:00 p.m. MooNIE and BrooN present a comedy-variety experience aimed to create a blend of spontaneous and outrageous comedy with feats of physical and mental manipulation of objects, audience, and energy. The first performance, a family friendly experience, is a solo act by MooNIE (Phillip Johnson). During the second show, BrooN (Brian Howard) joins MooNIE for adults-only outrageousness. As an audience member you can witness the styles of the two performers meld in front of your eyes. The laughter comes fast and is wrapped around a framework of juggling, fire eating, clowning, music, and stupid stunts. All underscored by the possibility that something could happen at any time.
Call the Festival box office, (309) 438-2535, to purchase a ticket. Only $6 for kids (under 18) and $10 for adults (first show), and $15 for adults (second show)! For more information about MooNIE and BrooN, check out their website at www.moonieandbroon.com.
Beginning June 27th, Friday and Saturday nights at 6:30-7:30p.m.
World-renowned saxophonist and Normal resident Glenn Wilson will be producing and performing a series of jazz concerts at the Festival on Friday and Saturday nights, prior to the night’s performance. The concerts will feature Wilson’s jazz musician ‘Friends’ from New York, Chicago, Miami and Indianapolis. Also appearing will be Wilson’s local group “The Jazzmaniacs” plus other local jazz musicians. Concerts will begin opening night of the Festival at 6:30 p.m. The concerts are FREE to all! Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works and Swinger’s Grille will be sponsoring the concerts plus selling a sampling of their specialty food and beverages.
Green ShowsEntertainment for kids of all ages takes place on the Festival Courtyard Stage beginning at 6:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays. This year interact with the Festival Green Show action! Fight to the death or laugh till your sides burst during one of our fight scenes; or discover something interesting from the many fun facts and selected entertainment taken from the life and times of Shakespeare. The Green Show is FREE to all guests…even if you're not attending the main performance that night!
 For the past 8 months Dennis has been touring around the country and the world, performing music, poetry, and theater for thousands of people. He has performed in 14 different states and 7 different countries(Ireland, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) playing to audiences as large as 4,000. Dennis draws musical inspiration from artists as diverse as Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews, AC/DC, Tom Petty, and the Beatles. This summer, Dennis serves up a contemporary twist on a classic playwright, combining Shakespeare's poetry with his original upbeat acoustic folk/rock sound. |
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| Dennis will be performing live at the Festival on July 1st-3rd and the 20th-24th. Come out and enjoy! | |
Curious about how many costumes we build every summer? Want to know how we magically make new scenery appear every night? Have a desire to explore secret passageways and backstage wonders? Let our actor guides lead you through the theatre and the Festival grounds. Ask questions! Learn our secrets! The backstage tour begins at 5:30 p.m. before every Saturday performance. Reservations are not required. Backstage passes are available for purchase through the box office for $5 per person.
PicnicsSpend a pleasant summer’s evening on the grassy lawn of the Festival’s grounds with a picnic basket, a bottle of wine, and great friends. Bask in the serene environment of the lush gardens and take pleasure in the enchanting music sung just for you by the Madrigal Singers. Let the tranquil surroundings transport you to another time. Grounds open at 5:00 p.m.
Listen to dulcet tunes sung by our Madrigal singers while relaxing on the grassy lawn. Performing nightly, our Madrigal singers whisk you away to eras past with their selections of period music and historic costumes.
No visit is complete without a stop at the gift shop. Located in the Festival courtyard, you can find T-shirts, mugs, games, books, and an incredible array of specialty items that you'll discover nowhere else around. Shop for that special someone and be assured that they won't already have it! The gift shop is open from 5:00 p.m. through intermission.
Feel like snacking? The Festival offers an assortment of delicious goodies to purchase. The main concessions area is located in the Festival courtyard. Or let us bring the goodies to you! Throughout the night, concession staff will roam the lawn with a variety of delectable goodies. Feel free to bring all concession and non-glass beverage items into the theater.