Spoon River College Theatre and SRC Community Chorus Announce Joint Subscription Series

For the upcoming 2019-2020 season, the Theatre Department at Spoon River College and the SRC Community Chorus are joining together to offer theatre patrons a subscription series featuring productions from both groups.

The series offers a total of five shows for the single price of $40. This is a twenty percent discount over purchasing individual tickets for each show.

Two of the productions in the series are presented by the Theatre Department at Spoon River College. SRC Theatre features the work primarily of student actors and crew members, though starting this season, participation will be open to any resident of the SRC district. The shows are “Scapin the Schemer,” a comedy running in November, and “An Iliad,” a drama based on the epic poem by Homer, running in late February and March.

The other three shows are presented by the SRC Community Chorus, an arm of the Spoon River College Foundation. The Community Chorus presents a combination of musical programs and staged plays, featuring a large mix of talents from around the SRC district. Community Chorus shows in the 2019-2020 season are “Frosty Airs & Fables,” a holiday-themed program in December, local musician Barry Cloyd’s “Burl Ives, Midwestern Minstrel” in February, and “From Broadway to L.A.,” a musical revue running in June.

Carol Davis, who directs the SRC Community Chorus, says that the subscription series is a natural evolution in the relationship between the two entities. “We have long enjoyed an overlap between groups, both in our audiences and in participants, as many SRC Theatre students have taken part in Community Chorus productions,” Davis said. “It just felt like the right time to make the relationship more official.”

SRC Theatre Program Director Douglas Okey agrees. “Carol and I talked about joint endeavors, and this partnership grew out of those discussions,” Okey said. “With this discounted subscription program, it feels like everyone wins—including our patrons.”

Four of the season’s shows will be presented in the Taylor Hall Theatre on the SRC Canton Campus. December’s “Frosty Airs & Fables” runs at the First Christian Church in Canton.

Subscriptions can be purchased by calling the SRC Foundation at (309)649-6260. The series discount will be available through the end of the run of “Scapin the Schemer” in November.

Tickets Now On Sale for SRC Community Chorus Production of Guys and Dolls

Tickets are now on sale for the SRC Community Chorus production of the Tony Award-Winning Musical Comedy Guys and Dolls June 27-30, 2019 at the SRC Theatre in Taylor Hall.  Tickets may be reserved by calling (309) 649-6260 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls ran for 1,200 performances when it opened on Broadway in 1950. It received nearly unanimous positive reviews from critics and won a bevy of awards, including Tony Awards, Drama Desks and Oliviers. Frequently revived, the show has been done with numerous all-star casts, including productions/concerts featuring Ewan McGregor, Jane Krakowski, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Jessica Biel.

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, Guys and Dolls is an oddball romantic comedy. Gambler, Nathan Detroit, tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck; meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they’ve been engaged for fourteen years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result. Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

The local production features television and movie actor Dustin Lewis, a Canton native, as Sky Masterson along with over 50 actors, musicians, and technicians under the stage direction of Carol Davis and the musical direction of Pamela Willison. Guys and Dolls is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International and with generous support from the Two Rivers Arts Council.

The SRC Community Chorus provides quality entertainment and funds endowed scholarships for SRC Students.  Guys and Dolls marks the beginning of the David L. Bishop Memorial Scholarship.  Together with the family of Mr. Bishop, the SRC Community Chorus, is establishing this memorial scholarship to provide financial support to students who are participating and/or seeking degrees in the arts, speech/communications, and/or theater.

Mr. Bishop, a founding member of the SRC Community Chorus, was a beloved English teacher/play director/ speech coach at Canton High School as well as at the Illinois River Correctional Center and Illinois Central College.  Recipient of numerous awards, Mr. Bishop was a passionate advocate of the arts, a community theater director and actor, and a Fulton County Arts Council member.  Once the scholarship funding reaches the level of $10,000 or more, scholarships will be awarded in Mr. Bishop’s name annually.

For more information about the David L. Bishop scholarship, contact Colin Davis at 649-6395 or colin.davis@src.edu.

SRC Chorus Production of Guys and Dolls to Feature TV and Movie Actor Dustin Lewis

The SRC Community Chorus will present the Tony Award-Winning Musical Comedy Guys and Dolls June 27-30, 2019 at the SRC Theatre in Taylor Hall.  Leading the cast will be Canton native and stage/tv/movie actor Dustin Lewis in the lead role of Sky Masterton.

“Dustin began his acting career at the Fulton County Playhouse when he was very young,” said director Carol Davis.  “The idea of Dustin playing Sky Masterson began about a year ago over lunch.  It seemed impossible because of his busy filming schedule, but we are so pleased he could find the time to return home for a week and play Sky for us.”

Since leaving Canton, Dustin has amassed over 50 stage performances nationally and internationally, as well as several awards and recognitions.  He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia and has recently been seen on television in Ozark, Good Girls, House of Cards, Timeless, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Nashville, Swamp Murders, and portrayed the re-occurring role of Paul Revere in Sleepy Hollow.  His recent film credits include First Man, The Hate U Give, Come Sunday, Killing Reagan and others.  To view Dustin’s work, visit @RealDustinLewis on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or www.dustinlewis.org.

Dustin will be joined by Lindsey Larson as Sarah, Carla Bobell as The Narrator, Corrinna Markland as Miss Adelaide, Alex Smith as Nathan Detroit, and Chad Murphy as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.  Also featured in the show are Tony Roberts, Tori Albanito, Natalie Orwig, Andrea Barbknecht, Lorie Rude, Aja Lawson, Bruce Beal, Aaron Haacke, Trygve Meade, Mike Varnes, Greg Mathis, Ron Smith, Nicky Gerber, Sue Smith, Janet Munson, Cecily Burnham, Susan Juliusson, Craig Zilly, Bob Champlin, and BJ Stone.

The production features over 50 actors, musicians, and technicians with direction by Carol Davis and musical direction by Pamela Willison.

Musicians include Pamela Willison, piano; Tony Roberts, keyboard; Matt Buczko, trumpet; Drew Ponder, bass; Tom Sandman, percussion; Joey Buczko, trombone; and Tammy Weaver, reeds.

Guys and Dolls is presented through Music Theatre International and with generous support from the Two Rivers Arts Council. Tickets will go on sale to the general public starting May 15 and more information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Barry Cloyd to Present The River’s Song for SRC Chorus Mini-Concert

Award-winning singer/songwriter/musician Barry Cloyd returns to Fulton County as part of the 2018-19 SRC Community Chorus season on Sunday, February 10 to present the engaging mini-concert The River’s Song: The Importance of Our Midwestern Rivers at First Christian Church in Canton.  Show time is 3 p.m.  Guest performers include John Davis, Colin Davis, Bob Juraco, and Alex Smith.  Reservations ($10) may now be made by calling 649-6260.

Cloyd is a Midwestern-based, full-time, touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who performs more than 125 various shows per year.  In addition to his energetic concert schedule, Barry has been the resident stringed instrumentalist/vocalist on The Spirit of Peoria Paddlewheel Riverboat for the last 18 years.  Barry is also a recording artist with 10 CDs to his credit, and his all-original Southland won the award for best Americana album in 2016, resulting in his tracks “Spirit Dance” and “Know this River” being placed on radio stations in more than 45 countries worldwide.  He has shared the stage and recorded with many stars of the blues and Americana music worlds, including band members of Buddy Guy’s Band, The Byrds, Stephen Stills, EmmyLou Harris, The Oak Ridge Boys, John Denver, and Dan Fogelberg.  Barry has also created and toured dozens of edu-tainment programs, which focus on history through music.

The original concert presentation, The River’s Song, takes the audience backwards through time to the days when the rivers of the Midwest were major highways for the first peoples, the Illiniwek Nation, from which our state gets its name.  From there, the concert moves on to the coming of the Europeans and the changes brought by them.

“The development of river travel while Illinois was still the Wild West helped to build this nation.  Several characters, both brave and notorious, are highlighted in the concert, along with many of the songs that accompanied early Illinoisans into the future of our great state,” says Cloyd.  “The River’s Song features French Voyageur songs, riverboat banjo tunes, Lincoln-era music, and original songs telling the tale of how vital our Midwestern rivers have been in our past and to our future.”

“The SRC Community Chorus originated in 2005 and has grown to include over 100 singers, musicians, and technicians,” says Carol Davis, Artistic Director.  “We have raised funds to establish five, $10,000, named, endowed scholarships and are self-funded through ticket sales.  A sixth named, endowed scholarship has been established through the SRC Foundation in memory of Vicki Murphy, mother of founding chorus member Chad Murphy.  Funds from the 2018-19 Chorus season will be dedicated to this scholarship.”

The 2018-19 season continues in June with the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls.  Visit www.src.edu/foundation/Pages/chorus.aspx, like us on Facebook, or contact Carol Davis by emailing cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com.

Tickets on Sale for SRC Chorus Winter Concert

Tickets are now on sale for the Spoon River College Community Chorus concert Winter Tales and Tunes.  The concert will be performed on December 1 and 2, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Canton. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased by calling 649-6260 or by email request to cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com.

“This concert will delight audiences of all ages,” said John Davis, director.  “We will continue to offer a wide variety of songs but this year we have added new musical genres and special features to the performances. The concert will also highlight a new arrangement of Hold On from the musical The Secret Garden by Richard Etter, featuring Carla Bobell as soloist.”

Chorus members include Tori Albanito, Bruce Beal, Patrick Bell, Loren Blackfelner, Carla Bobell, Gloria Bradford, Janice Dare Bruster, Bill Burkhead, Debbie Burkhead, Bob Champlin, Carol Davis, Colin Davis, Jackie Davis, Richard Etter, Jim Gage, Karen Garman, Jeanine Gaumer, Angela Hale, Bob Heppenstahl, Sherry Hilton, Susan Juliusson, Carol Kohler, Leta Krock, Lindsey Larson, Aja Lawson, Wendy Martin, Sue Maurice, Susie McMillen, Jeanette McWhorter, Trygve Meade, Janet Munson, Chad Murphy, Dave Norton, Kris Olson, Natalie Orwig, Kathy Phillips, Jo Potter Keen, Ginny Reter, Peggy Roberts, Ron Rupe, Elliyah Sale, Karen Shaw, Becky Silva, Alex Smith, Ron Smith, Sue Smith, Jean Sprecher, Jeanine Standard, John Stanko, Pat Stanko, Doris Taylor, Kenny Taylor, Michael Varnes, Melissa Walker, Tammy Weaver, JoEllyn Welch, Lauren Wilcoxen, and Pam Willison.  Featured musicians are Gretchen Fuller on piano, Tom Sandman on percussion, and Drew Ponder on bass.

A pre-show of chimes and handbells will delight audience members as they arrive.  Chime players are members of Trinity Lutheran Church and directed by Jean Sprecher.  Handbells, directed by Pat Stanko, are played by Jo Potter Keen, Dee Doubet, Trygve Meade, Natalie Orwig, Bea Meeker, Janet Munson, Debbie Burkhead, Elliyah Sale, Sue Smith, Karen Garman, Kris Olson, and Jean Sprecher.

December 2018 also marks milestone anniversaries of two enduring holiday pieces.  The classic novel A Christmas Carol marks its 175th anniversary and to celebrate the Chorus has added a theatrical element in which Mr. Charles Dickens and Ebenezer Scrooge appear. The month will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of Franz Gruber’s Silent Night.  First Christian Church will resound with all voices, choral and audience, singing the beloved carol together.

Visit www.src.edu/foundation and click on the SRC Community Chorus link, Like us on Facebook, or contact Carol Davis by emailing cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com.

SRC Community Chorus Rehearsals Begin September 20

The Spoon River College Community Chorus will present Winter Tales and Tunes on December 1 and 2, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Canton. Participation in the SRC Community Chorus is open to anyone with a love of music and performance.  No auditions are required, and all ages and vocal ranges are welcome.

Rehearsals will be held on Thursday evenings beginning on September 20th at 6:30 p.m. at the Canton Church of the Brethren, located at 3rd and Chestnut.  Rehearsals generally take place on Thursday evenings.

As has become the tradition, this season’s concert will feature sacred and secular songs in a variety of musical styles and instrumental accompaniments.  In addition, the concert will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the publication of A Christmas Carol and the 200th anniversary of Silent Night.  The concert is directed by John L. Davis and accompanied by Gretchen Fuller.  Additional musicians include Tom Sandman on percussion and Drew Ponder on bass.

New elements of performance have been added for this year’s concert. A pre-show of chimes and handbells will delight audience members as they arrive.  The concert will also highlight a new arrangement by Richard Etter of “Hold On” from the musical The Secret Garden.  A theatrical element has been added in which Mr. Charles Dickens and Ebenezer Scrooge appear and the audience will join the chorus in singing Silent Night.

“The organization originated in 2005 and has grown to include over 100 singers, musicians, and technicians,” said Carol Davis, Artistic Director.  “We have raised funds to establish five $10,000 named endowed scholarships and are self-funded through ticket sales.”

A sixth named endowed scholarship has been established through the SRC Foundation in memory of Vicki Murphy, mother of founding chorus member Chad Murphy.  Funds from the 2018-19 Chorus season will be dedicated to this scholarship.

The 2018-19 season continues in February with a mini-concert featuring nationally recognized and award-winning songwriter Barry Cloyd and concludes with the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls in June.

Visit www.src.edu/foundation and click on the SRC Community Chorus link, Like us on Facebook, or contact Carol Davis by emailing cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com.

Tickets Now on Sale for Piano Potpourri with Gretchen Fuller and Tony Roberts

The SRC Community Chorus presents Piano Potpourri, featuring the extraordinary talents of pianists Gretchen Fuller and Tony Roberts on Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.  The concert will be presented in the sanctuary of First Christian Church in Canton.  Tickets are $10 and may be purchased by calling 649-6260 Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or at the door the day of the concert.  Proceeds support the Vicki Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Roberts and Fuller have performed with the SRC Community Chorus in many capacities since the group’s inception. In addition to numerous arts performances throughout central Illinois, they are also known for their musical offerings at Fulton County churches.

“At the SRC Community Chorus winter concert this past December, Tony and Gretchen presented two piano duets which, judging by the audience response, were a highlight of the program,” said Carol Davis, artistic director of the SRC Community Chorus. “People have been requesting this concert for the past few years and we are pleased to finally offer this delightful performance.”

Roberts and Fuller have chosen a wide selection of four-hand, one piano and two piano duets that will exhilarate audiences of all ages.  The program features challenging and entertaining numbers including “When the Saints Go Marching in,” “Who Let the Cows Out? (A Bully Rag),” “Inspector Gadget,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Clair de Lune,” “Maple Leaf Rag,” “Songs of Patriotism,” “How Great Thou Art,” and many more.

  “This program is just what we need to chase away the winter blues,” Davis said. “We continue to be very fortunate and pleased to showcase the many talented individuals who live within the Spoon River College district.  We believe audience members will be talking about Piano Potpourri for years.”

SRC Community Chorus Tickets Now On Sale for Songs and Snowflakes Concert

Tickets are now on sale for the SRC Community Chorus concert Songs and Snowflakes.  The concert features 60 singers, musicians and technicians and will be presented on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 at the First Christian Church in Canton.  Both performances are at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets may be obtained by calling (309) 649-6260; by walk-in Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Pink Whale, 27 South Main Street in Canton; or through chorus members.

Songs and Snowflakes will feature a combination of classical, traditional and contemporary holiday songs.  Featured selections include the Festival Cantata “Rejoice in the Lamb,” Haydn’s Gloria, and Tschesnokoff’s “Salvation is Created;” “The Shepherd’s Chorus” from Amahl and the Night Visitors and “Counting Down to Christmas” from A Christmas Story, the Musical; a Hanukkah song “Hanerot Halalu;” popular songs “White Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bells” and “Over the River;” sacred songs and spirituals “Silent Night,” “In the Bleak Midwinter,” “Let All Mortal Flesh,” “Way Down in Bethlehem” and more.

Chorus members participating in the concert are Andrea Barbknecht, Loren Blackfelner, Carla Bobell, Gloria Bradford, Janice Dare Bruster, Debbie Burkhead, Carol Davis, Colin Davis, Jackie Davis, Katey Davis, Kevin Dearing, Richard Etter, James Gage, Andrea Garnett, Micah Garnett, Jeanine Gaumer, Sherry Hilton, Jo Potter Keen, Kevin Kessler, Tammy Kessler, Carol Kohler, Leta Krock, Chad Leitschuh, Wendy Martin, Greg Mathis, Sara Mathis, Sue Maurice, Susie McMillen, Trygve Meade, David Meeker, Janet Munson, Chad Murphy, Glenn Nestlerode, Dave Norton,  Natalie Orwig, Virginia Reter, Sue Reuschel, Ron Rupe, Carol Shaw, Karen Shaw, Tiffany Siefert, Becky Silva, Alex Smith, Ron Smith, Sue Smith, Jean Sprecher, Jeanine Standard, John Stanko, Pat Stanko, Marilyn Stewart, Doris Taylor, Kenny Taylor, Roberta Tomlinson, Tammy Weaver, Donna Weinstein, JoEllyn Welch, Pam Willison, and Christine Wright.

John L. Davis directs Songs and Snowflakes with Gretchen Fuller accompanying.  The SRC Community Chorus artistic director is Carol Davis.

Proceeds from ticket sales fund named endowed scholarships for SRC students.   The chorus is currently funding the Vicki Murphy Memorial Scholarship.  Vicki was an avid supporter of the SRC Chorus and her son, Chad Murphy, is a founding member of the Chorus.

For more information, please contact Colin Davis at colin.davis@src.edu or Carol Davis at cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com

SRC Community Chorus Concert Rehearsals Begin September 28

The Spoon River College Community Chorus will present Songs and Snowflakes on Dec. 2 and 3, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church in Canton. As has become the tradition, this season’s concert will feature classical, traditional, sacred and secular songs in a variety of musical styles and instrumental accompaniments.

Participation in the SRC Community Chorus is open to anyone with a love of music and performance. No auditions are required, and all ages and vocal ranges are welcome.  Rehearsals will be held on Thursday evenings beginning on Sept. 28th at 6:30 p.m. at the Canton Church of the Brethren, located at 3rd and Chestnut. The concert is conducted by John L. Davis and accompanied by Gretchen Fuller. Tickets go on sale Oct. 16.

“The organization originated in 2005 and has grown to include over 100 singers, musicians and technicians,” said Carol Davis, artistic director.  “We have raised funds to establish five $10,000 named endowed scholarships. The generous support of participants and audience members enables students to pursue their educational dreams.”

A sixth named endowed scholarship has been established through the SRC Foundation in memory of Vicki Murphy, mother of founding chorus member Chad Murphy, who recently passed away.  Proceeds from the entire 2017-18 Chorus season will be dedicated to this scholarship.

The Chorus recently presented sold out performances of the comedy Vanities. Also in December, the SRC Chorus and Tenacious, Inc. are producing the hilarious holiday comedy A Tuna Christmas featuring John L. Davis, Chad Murphy, and Clay Klinedinst playing over 20 roles.  A Tuna Christmas will be presented at Big Horse Vineyards Dec. 16-17, 2017. The 2017-18 season concludes with the Tony-awarding winning musical Fiddler on the Roof, June 28-July 1, 2018.

More information will be forthcoming about ticket sales, casting, and scholarships.  Visit www.src.edu/foundation and click on the SRC Community Chorus link, like us on Facebook, or contact Carol Davis by emailing cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com.

SRC Community Chorus Presents the Comedy Vanities

Vanities is a laugh-out-loud poignant comedy about the growth of a friendship among three small town women coming of age in the 1960s and ’70s. Staged in the Canton Spoon River College Theater in Taylor Hall, Vanities runs Friday, August 18 @ 7:00 p.m., Saturday, August 19 @ 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets are now on sale.

The production features veteran actresses Sara Mathis, Corrinna Markland, and Lindsey Ridenour Larson as best friends growing up in Texas during a time when women’s roles were changing.  Their adaptations provide hilarious moments as well as realistic approaches to life before, during and after the Age of Aquarius. Vanities is directed by Carol Davis.

Featured in the production will be live performances of Top 40 music from 1963 to 1974.

General admission tickets may be reserved by calling (309) 649-6260 or by emailing cdavis.tenacious@gmail.com.

Vanities had one of the longest Off-Broadway runs on record. The comedy opened at Playwrights Horizons, New York City on January 15, 1976, for 13 performances, and then transferred to the Chelsea Theatre Center (now the Westside Theatre) where it ran for 1,785 performances. Newsweek, the New York Post, and New York Magazine declared it “unnervingly funny,” a “brilliant clever play,” and “uncommonly attractive.”

The 2017-18 Chorus season continues in December with Snowflakes and Songs on December 2 and 3; A Tuna Christmas at Big Horse Vineyards on December 16 and 17; and Fiddler on the Roof in June 2018.

The SRC Community Chorus presents concerts, revues, plays, and musicals for the love of performance and to raise funds for the SRC Foundation’s scholarship program. Participation in the SRC Chorus is open to anyone with a love of performance. For more information about the Chorus, please visit the Chorus web page at www.src.edu/foundation.