AET is reopening live in-person performances. The season begins October 7, but prior to that, AET presents REBOUND, a special one-night-only performance on stage at Starlight Theater on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7:30. And it’s FREE! Season flex passes and single tickets to AET’s production of Jeeves Saves the Day will be available. REBOUND is one of AET’s signature faux radio broadcasts featuring a Dashiell Hammett mystery, “Who Killed Bobby Teal?” and a P.G. Wodehouse comedy, “Bertie Steps Out.”
Poirot Makes a Wager
The second episode of AET’s podcast, Mysterious Journey, is out.. “Poirot Makes a Wager” is adapted from a short story by Agatha Christie. Famed detective Hercule Poirot accepts a wager from long-time friend/rival Inspector Japp of Scotland Yard. Poirot insists he can solve a crime without examining the crime scene or interviewing a single witness. Japp agrees to provide the facts and Poirot will employ “the little grey cells.”
AET Launches a Podcast
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.