Utter Nonsense for the Holidays

AET presents Utter Nonsense, a casual pay-what-you-can event just in time for the holidays. Join your favorite AET performers as they share scenes and stories from the pen of Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (“Plum” to all his friends). Bertie and Jeeves will be there as well as a host of zany characters from this master of wit and wordplay. No tickets, no reservations, just a donation jar. After all, “tis the season to be merry!

Up Next: The Angel Next Door!

Comedic chaos erupts when a group of “theater people” as cranky housekeeper Olga has scornfully labeled them, all gather in Newport for a charity concert. Idealistic novelist Oliver is in love with rising Broadway star Margot. But… does she even know he exists? It seems doubtful when he overhears her in a very intimate conversation with handsome Victor Pratt, a dim-witted matinee idol. All of this spells trouble for married playwrights Charlotte and Arthur, who have just adapted Oliver’s novel for Broadway. Don’t miss the mayhem opening the 21st season on September 5. Call (815) 394-5004 or click HERE for tickets.

NOW PLAYING: ANNABELLA IN JULY

Lisa Turbyville, David A. Gingerich, Kevin McKillip

Vanessa and Brian are on a 20th anniversary trip to the mountains. And they’re lost. They stop at a ski lodge to ask directions and are dumbfounded when everyone there rapturously greets Vanessa as their beloved Annabella. Now matter how often she insists she’s a librarian from Nebraska, they know better. Husband Brian is at first bemused, then alarmed, when Annabella’s admirers include a dashing Frenchman. Vanessa is kind of starting to enjoy this whole mistaken identity. Add in a magical door that has a mind of its own and you have a romantic comedy with a dash of magic. Now playing through May 26/

NOW PLAYING: THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

It’s an epic battle between TRUTH, in the person of the writer, John (David A. Gingerich), and FACTS, in the person of Jim (Ian Garthwaite), the unpaid intern assigned to fact check John’s essay. Caught in the middle is the much-put-upon editor, Emily (Ricki G. Ravitts) in this smart, wickedly funny new play, running at AET Nov. 2-19. Call (815) 394-5004 or visit artistsensemble.org/tickets #AET20th