Opening Night at Last!

After being shuttered for 18 months, AET returns to live performances with Jeeves Saves the Day, no playing through October 17. Bertie Wooster is in a pickle… again. He somehow got accidentally engaged to a terrifying girl named Honoria Glossop whose even more terrifying father is coming to call. Plus, Aunt Agatha has made him responsible for his out-of-control cousin, Egbert Bakewell (good old Eggs and Bacon). Fortunately, there is Jeeves. Call the box office (11-3, M-F) or order tickets online HERE

Cousins up to mischief…

Conclusion of "The Man in the Brown Suit"

AET’s podcast, Mysterious Journey, has been running a multi-part adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Man in the Brown Suit. The final episode is out. If you’ve been waiting, now you can binge the entire novel!

AET on the REBOUND!

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.