How does a theater company continue to perform during a world-wide pandemic? AET’s answer is to launch a podcast: Mysterious Journey, Theater for the Mind. Short audio plays adapted from stories by writers like Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and more. Each play is performed by AET actors. New episodes will drop bi-weekly beginning October 27.
Romance Theater • Feb. 7–8
Jeeves is about to go on his annual holiday and Bertie is on his own. "What could possibly go wrong? The answer, of course, is “plenty.” Bertie is enjoying the exhilaration of managing his own affairs when, amazingly, things go awry. Jeeves himself narrates the tale of Bertie’s misfortunes in this one-act prequel to AE’s upcoming full length play, Jeeves Saves the Day.
This is part of Romance Theater, a vintage radio broadcast done with standing microphones and a sound effects table. Join David A. Gingerich, Gary Wingert, Stephen F. Vrtol III, Pat Staaf, Patte Armato Lund, and Carolyn Cadigan for this salute to the golden age of radio. This a pay-what-you can event with just two performances, Fri. and Sat. Feb. 7-8 at 7:30 in the Cheek Theater.
AE Mystery Theater – Might As Well Be Dead
Adapted by Joseph Goodrich from the novel by Rex Stout
Return with AE to the Golden Age of Radio for Mystery Theater. October 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm in the Cheek Theatre, when AE presents a full-length Nero Wolfe mystery: Might As Well Be Dead.
A grieving mother hires Wolfe to locate her estranged son. She hasn’t seen him in 11 years. Wolfe finds him all right… on the front page of the papers. He’s on trial for murder…
As always, Mystery Theater is a pay-what-you-can performance. No reservations, no tickets, general seating and a donation jar.
Tickets Now on Sale for Next Season!
Tickets are now on sale for our sweet 16th season. SUBSCRIPTIONS, FLEX PASSES, and single tickets are available for online purchase. OR just call the AE box office, open 11-3, Monday–Friday: 815-394-5004. Join us! More information on the shows HERE.
Jeeves in Bloom
Romance theater is back with Jeeves in Bloom, presented as a faux vintage radio broadcast. Love is in the air in the gardens of Brinkley Court. And then hapless Bertie Wooster arrives and mayhem follows. Soon Bertie is accidentally engaged, caught up in a bungled burglary, and a homicidal French chef is brandishing a meat cleaver. Only Jeeves can sort out this mess. Two pay-what-you-can performances on Friday & Saturday, at 7:30 in the Cheek Theater.
FREE AUDITION WORKSHOP • 1-4 pm • SATURDAY, JAN 26
Here is a no-pressure chance to get some feedback on your audition from three points of view: Artists’ Ensemble Artistic Director Richard Raether, Starlight Theatre Artistic Director Chris Brady, and Music Director and performer, Jodi Beach.
This is a free, low-key event that will cover everything from resumes to callbacks. Participants may try out monologues or songs. Or just observe!
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26 1-4 pm
WHERE: On the Starlight Theatre stage at Rock Valley College
TO REGISTER: (So we know how many to expect.) Call the Starlight box office: (815) 921-2160.
A Christmas Carol, A Live Radio Play
Stephen F. Vrtol III plays Everett Kane, the celebrated radio star who, in turn, plays Scrooge.
The staff of radio station WBFR is in a frenzy as they prepare for their annual holiday broadcast of A Christmas Carol. They are thrilled to have landed a big name, the famously temperamental actor Everett Kane, to play Scrooge. They are a little worried that their sound effects man seems to be snowed in in Oswego. Don’t miss this holiday treat. There are four performances, Dec. 14-16. Call 815-394-5004 or click HERE for tickets.
Page to Stage: A Picasso
Hitler considered all modern art to be degenerate and Pablo Picasso the chief criminal. Thus, in 1941 Nazi-occupied Paris, Picasso has every reason to be apprehensive when he is arrested and brought in for interrogation. AE partners with the Rockford Public Library to present Page to Stage, a free public event at the East Branch Library, 6685 E. State St. on Monday, Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Learn why Picasso’s 1937 masterpiece, Guernica, earned Hitler’s wrath in this behind-the-scenes look at Jeffrey Hatcher’s fascinating play, A Picasso.
Mystery Theater • Oct. 19-20
Episode One: You know how you land a new client and, before you know it, you’re in a deep freeze staring at a corpse-sicle? Yeah. Sexy, sassy Candy has one of those cases.
Episode Two: Jane really knows how to throw a party. Too bad one of the cocktails is lethal. “Invitation to a Murder” tells the story of a party where, “Pick your poison,” is meant literally.
This is a pay-what-you-can event. Just drop a donation in the jar and enjoy our recreation of a vintage radio broadcast, complete with sound effects and music.
Page 2 Stage: Women in Jeopardy
AE partners with the Rockford Library for a series of FREE events called Page to Stage. The first is Monday, August 27 at 6:30-7:30 in the Nordlof Center at 118 N. Main Street. Stop by and get a backstage glimpse of the mystery and mayhem that opens the AE season on Sept. 6. AE Artistic Director Richard Raether will host.