I don’t know about you, but I get sick of visiting the same places on campus and I’ve only been here for two short months. With my midterm week over and barely any homework assignments from my classes, I have been going out of my mind with boredom. Besides frequent trips to Espresso Royale or an Urban Outfitters trip – a disaster for my debit card – it’s been hard to find interesting things to do.
Thankfully, my theatre class requires me to buy tickets for the University’s Fall theatre shows, playing at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. As an avid theatre attendee, I was excited to see these productions. Having seen one show already, I can tell you they are a fantastic way to spend a lazy weeknight.
The Department of Theatre is launched three new and exciting shows this Fall: the musical Cabaret, the dark play Hoodoo Love, and Tennessee Williams’ Battle of Angels. The shows share similar themes, that concern issues of racism, bigotry, fascism and bullying in the 1930s. Not only will your night at Krannert be very entertaining, but you will hopefully learn something meaningful from them as well.
These three productions have something for everyone. They are great ways to not only cure your post-midterm boredom, but to also help support the fellow U of I students performing in them!
Hoodoo Love
If you are in the mood for something dark and dramatic, definitely go see Hoodoo Love. The show takes place in 1930s Memphis, Tenn. and tells the story of a young woman named Toulou. Toulou moves to Memphis from her home in Mississippi in hopes of becoming a jazz singer. She meets a wandering jazz musician named Ace of Spades, and falls in love with him. To make Ace stay with her and fall completely in love, Toulou enlists the help of her friend and neighbor, Candylady, to put a love spell on him.
The rest of the play explores the struggles that Toulou must overcome, as well as the devastating abuse she suffers at the hands of the men in her life. Hoodoo Love played at Krannert’s Studio Theatre this month.
Cabaret
If you love musicals, you are bound to know Maybe This Time – a popular tune from the show Cabaret. Set in 1930s Germany with the Nazi party on the rise, Cabaret tells the story of Sally Bowles, a 19-year-old singer at the Kit Kat Klub, and her relationship with a young writer named Cliff Bradshaw. Cabaret runs at Krannert’s Colwell Playhouse until October 23.
Battle of Angels
Battle of Angels is a lesser-known play by the renowned American playwright, Tennessee Williams. It tells the story of drifter, Valentine Xavier, who is hired to work in a dry goods store run by Myra Torrance in a small town in the South. Valentine and Myra must fight to survive as altercations ensue between them and the town’s residents. Battle of Angels plays in Krannert’s Studio Theatre from October 27 to November 6.
Going to any of these productions is a great way to pass time and a fun, interesting alternative to Green Street or or campus bars. Tickets are just $10 for University of Illinois students, so hurry and order them before these exciting shows sell out!