Written and Performed by David Finnigan  

RyderDance is ecstatic to present its first evening-length contemporary dance work, HOMECOMING, a visceral celebration that combines live dance, music and film. The language of this performance will range from delicately intimate to ferociously athletic, allowing the individuality of the artist to shine through while finding a personal connection to the music. The 40-minute piece is structured to personify the emotional journey driven by Mathers’s sound while exploring the physical relationship between trust, play, and perseverance. The Tank is the perfect atmosphere to create intimacy on a grand scale, and we invite the audience to take a front row seat.

The Director’s Haven gives directors in the earliest stages of their professional careers a rare opportunity to take risks, hone their crafts and talents and share their vision through a fully staged production of a short play. Giving directors support to produce during their formative years, which includes a full design team, budget, marketing support and more, allows these artists to create quality work as well as provides a platform to further their artistic visibility through the creation of said work.

"Oh, the thinks you can think" when Dr. Seuss' best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!

An inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. This musical adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story. With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, The Color Purple is a story of hope, testament to the healing power of love and celebration of life.

Set in London in 1907, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder centers on Monty Navarro, a penniless clerk who is informed after the death of his mother that he is ninth in line to inherit the earldom of Highhurst, controlled by the wealthy D’Ysquith banking family. After the imperious ruling Lord dismisses Monty’s claim of being a relative, the eight D’Ysquiths ahead of young Mr. Navarro begin dying in natural and unnatural ways. (A single actor plays all the not-so-nice D'Ysquiths, adding to the merriment.) Meanwhile, Monty is trying to woo money-minded Sibella Hallward —until he finds himself drawn to young Phoebe D’Ysquith. How will all these convoluted storylines come together?

He’s getting married in the morning, and the enterprising Figaro (servant, barber, professional troublemaker) couldn’t be happier. But with everybody scheming to come between him and his bride, Figaro will need all his cunning to make it down the aisle. This Charles Morey’s adaptation of Beaumarchais’ comic masterpiece The Marriage of Figaro is not only hilariously funny, but has a razor sharp political edge.

ANNOUNCING SEASON 50

We are thrilled to announce Hope Summer Repertory Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season! This milestone season promises to be our largest and most ambitious ever. We hope that you will join us this summer as we celebrate and honor HSRT’s rich history and look to the future. #50YearsOfHope

Resident Artist: Greer Durham

An exploration in clowning and physical theatre, Reasons To Go To Space will be a devised performance full of laughter, wonder, and discovery. This work follows six clowns in their journey of interstellar travel, and what it means for each of them to escape their own realities.

Resident Artist: Vincent Carlson

A re-version of Shakespeare’s Bad Quarto Text. Adapted and directed by Vincent Carlson. "To be or not to be. Ay, there's the point." Shakespeare's Hamlet was first printed in an unauthorized "bad" Quarto text that differs greatly from the play that you may know. An ensemble of eight encounters the tragic tale of Shakespeare's usurped Danish prince from this misremembered bastard printing. Ghosts, skulls, and poisoned swords still intact.

Not every child gets to feel like they belong. Many have to close their eyes or open a book and imagine a place to which they can escape: a place where bullies fade away, where money is not an issue, where there are no rules or adults to make them. There used to be many places like this. But now, the only one is the Neverland. A place dreamed up by children. But as children change, so do their dreams. In this modern day adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s beloved story, Wendy, John, and Michael fly off with Peter Pan to discover what is missing from our world. On their adventure, full of magic, danger, alliances, laughter, and hope, they learn what is needed to heal a broken, hateful world.

Appropriate for all ages.

February Dance will present four prestigious choreographers in the dance field who create work from multiple perspectives and identities.

May contain adult content.

When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. Adapted from Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking graphic novel and the winner of five 2015 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.

Contains adult content.

Lyric Theatre @ Illinois and Allerton Park & Retreat Center invite you to spend an evening Under the Stars in the beautiful Sunken Garden, listening to romantic favorites from opera and musical theatre like West Side Story, Les Misérables, and Madama Butterfly. Eat and drink with family and friends and be transported by the orchestra, singers, and choruses from the world’s most beloved theatrical works.

Seating and a cash bar will begin at 6pm (credit cards accepted).

The performance will last about 90 minutes.

For more information about tickets, food purchases, directions, and COVID-19 safety guidelines, please visit the Allerton Park & Retreat Center website.

Lyric Theatre is proud to be part of the University of Illinois School of Music and resident at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, which has graciously provided production design and support.

Mom’s in the hospital. She’s “done something stupid.” So, you start a list of everything that’s brilliant and worth living for. 1. Ice cream 2. Water fights 3. Staying up past your bedtime. You leave it on her pillow, hoping, and you add to the list throughout your life. This one man, funny and moving play is a tribute to resilience and hope—as it enlists you, the audience, to tell this heartfelt story. Every Brilliant Thing shines a hilarious and compassionate light on dark corners of the human condition.