Music                                                                  Theatre

 Mrs. Warren's Profession... November 2, 3, 4, 5 of 2017!

---

Find out what Adam & Eve were thinking in Twain comedy

The Charleston Alley Theatre announces its second presentation of its 27th continuous season: "Mark Twain's 'The Diaries of Adam and Eve,'" edited and adapted for the stage by David Birney. 

It's Twain's intelligent, gentle musing about what must have been going through Adam's and Eve's minds since they were both the first of their kind. 

Featured performers are EIU students Crystal Dagerhardt, apparel and textile design major, and Blake Richardson, theatre arts major. Crystal is from Maiden, N.C., and Blake was born in Charleston but lived in Denver, N.C. Both were featured performers in the CAT's "The Rocky Horror Show."

Performances are May 11-14 in the Lone Elm Room of the Mattoon train station and May 18-21 in Charleston at the CAT.

You can find more information at www.charlestonalleytheatre.com. Reservations can be made by calling 345-2287. Tickets are $10. Walk-ins also are welcome.

Free or reduced-price tickets are available for those financially unable to pay. Children must be accompanied by adults.​

---

Holiday music performed as part of Magical Christmas in Downtown Mattoon

Live music was performed in the Lone Elm Room of the Mattoon train depot as part of A Magical Christmas in Downtown Mattoon activities on Dec. 2. Performing holiday music were Mattoon middle school and high school students, and the Salvation Army Children's Choir.

---

Charleston Alley Theatre presents "Rocky Horror Show"

The Charleston Alley Theatre presented “Rocky Horror Show” at the Mattoon depot Oct. 14-16, 2016. The show attracted a large audience and featured singing, dancing and audience participation.

The show was directed by Marie Jozwiak, with musical direction by Tony Cox. Cast members were D. Craig Banyai, Daisy Breneman, Matthew Gerard Burns, Crystal Dagerhardt, Alyssa Hilbert, Demetrius Johnson, Blake Richardson, James Tauge, Kali Wolf, Carrie Drennan, Eric Poe, Teri Sturdyvin and Marci Swaringen. Music was provided by Chat Noir.

---

Shakespeare on Broadway!

​The Charleston Alley Theatre presented William Shakespeare’s comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing," May 5-8 in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train station.
 
Directed by Duke Bagger, Shakespeare’s best comedy combines elements of robust hilarity with more serious thoughts on honor, disgrace, betrayal and Renaissance politics. Featuring one of the most popular romantic duos of all time, the play has wit, twists and turns. The show is one of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies.

The talented cast included Nicole Alley, Jacquelyn Armstrong, Jeffrey Augenstein, Duke Bagger, Linda Bagger, D. Craig Banyai, Alyssa Hilbert, Demetrius Johnson, Marie Jozwiak, Sam Kruckeberg, Thomas MacMullen, Leah Piescinski, Victoria Reible, Sarah Rundles, Michael Salem and James Tague.

---

---

Sham-ROCK! features local singers/songwriters

MAC's first singer/songwriter event, titled Sham-ROCK!, was held on St. Patrick's Day in the Lone Elm Room of the depot. Special thanks to all of the performers and to Julia Degler for organizing the event. Performers included Degler, Jackie Boyd, violinist Kristin Stine, Mark Allen and Jenna, and Troy Stone. To view videos of the performances, visit the MAC Facebook page.

---

MHS Drama Club presents one-act pays on Feb. 5-6

The Mattoon High School Drama Club presented four one-act plays on Feb. 5-6 in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train depot. The shows were presented in four performances, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. each night. Each show included performances of Mark Twain’s “The Underground Venus,” adaptation by Tim Kelly; “Tracks,” by Peter Tarsi; “Fire Damage,” by Carolyn West; and “The Matterhorn,” by Rich Orloff. Actors were Haley Armstrong, Nicole Johnson, Dylan Minor, Matt Etchison, Katie Auer, Kate Gosnell, Kirsti Wattles, Morgan Hampton, Jenny Hudspath, Jack Hudson, Mya Garcia, Payton Morrow and Sam Shaw. The students are under the direction of Rebecca Nevius.

---

2015

Holiday music presented December 4

The Mattoon Arts Council participated in the Celebrate Downtown Mattoon event on December 4 by offering music by a variety of youth music groups.

Featured entertainers were the Mattoon Middle School jazz band, the Mattoon High School chorus, the Mattoon Middle School chorus and the Salvation Army children's choir. It was standing-room-only in the Lone Elm Room! A big "thank you!" to our wonderful musicians!

---

Charleston Alley Theatre presents "Dracula"

Photos republished with permission by the JG/T-C

The Charleston Alley Theatre presented performances of "Dracula," by Steven Dietz, Oct. 16-19 at the Mattoon depot. For more about the production, click here.

---

Mattoon musician Jeremy McConnaha performs

Local musician Jeremy T. McConnaha performed original music and covers during a special performance from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 22 at the Mattoon depot. McConnaha recently recorded his debut solo EP with Mike Marsh of The Avett Brothers at Paper Mill Studio in Nashville, TN.

---

Theater on Broadway debuts with 'The Lion in Winter'

The Charleston Alley Theatre presented James Goldman’s The Lion in Winter March 20-23 in the Lone Elm Room of the Depot. It was the Mattoon Arts Council's first production in its "Theater on Broadway" series. 

Mattoon native Deborah Murphy Kerr directed the play. Cast members were Duke and Linda Bagger as Henry II and Eleanor; Jeffrey Augenstein as Richard the Lion Hearted; Thomas MacMullen as Geoffery; and Alexander Yeck-Petty as John. Rachael Anderson was Alais and Kent Wolf was her brother Phillip, King of France.