Spoon River Rascals

10/11/2025

Please mark your calendars now to attend the Spoon River Heritage Singers annual Holiday Concert Sunday, November 30th at 4:00 p.m. We once again have the privilege of holding our concert in the historic and beautiful Fairview Reformed Church. This venue on its own is inspirational, but the Heritage Singers and guest musicians will complete the experience with a variety of music to capture the essence of all the Christmas "feels".
As always, this is a free concert. We will take a free-will offering to benefit our local food pantries. This year even more local families are facing food insecurities. This is a great opportunity for you to reflect on your blessings while blessing others amongst us!
This afternoon I fought back tears during rehearsal. Looking out upon familiar faces-and realizing the gift of rural community is something I will never take for granted. I was recently asked once again, "Why do you stay in such a remote area? Would't it be easier in a larger town?" Yes, it would be easier at times, but what we have in our area villages and rural communities is something that can't be adequately explained... only experienced. When a farmer has crisis- other farmers come to help. When a neighbor is down on their luck, women come bearing warm meals of comfort. We celebrate each other's triumphs and we mourn one another's tragedies. We share our bests and our worsts. And yes, we know each other's "bests and worsts", too. But that is what family does and rural community is very much an extended family. If you're lucky enough to have been a part of that, you know it is gift, and isn't that what Christmas is all about?
So, come join our family- (wherever you're from-you're welcome!) and take a few moments to soak in the peace, the laughter, the innocence... the BEAUTY of CHRISTMAS!

04/11/2025

It's time to make your reservations for The Play That Goes Wrong! This show is perfect for friends and family wanting to get together and share some side-splitting laughter! A perfect holiday party to celebrate with co-workers- whatever your excuse, you won't want to miss this comedy!

Make your reservation by sending an email with your contact information, the performance you plan on attending and the number of people in your group. You'll receive a confirmation shortly after, and you can pay at the door when you attend! "Easy-peasy, lemon squeezy!"

27/10/2025

Start the holiday season off right by laughing a few pounds off! This may be the funniest play to hit the Ellisville Opera House stage!
This will be our 2nd annual dinner theater production. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting us at: [email protected].
The show will be in two acts, with the meal being charcuterie-style with generous portions, water and hot tea/coffee served with dessert.
Get the gang together for a rip-roaring show enjoyable by all ages. This will be Xander Fields directorial debut. Xander has participated in Rascals productions over the last 5 years and is thrilled to take his turn directing!
$20 for dinner and a show is hard to beat, especially at the holidays, so don't miss this opportunity! Seating is limited, so get your reservations in soon!

07/10/2025

The first night of tech week is for the tech personnel, and to see if things like animal ears will stay on the kids’ heads. Usually kids leave Monday night a bit subdued but the Jungle Book cast was very enthusiastic this evening… so imagine when they finally are in costumes and makeup!

It’s going to be a great show! Make sure you venture down to the opera house this weekend!

04/10/2025

NEXT WEEKEND! Please join us for a delightful show!

27/09/2025

It’s almost here! The set’s been painted, the lines are memorized and the costumes fitted. Now it’s time for you to make plans to share the magic with us October 10th-12th at the Ellisville Opera House !

The kids are so excited to share Disney’s Jungle Book (Jr. Edition) with you! Familiar songs and a delightful story that promises to captivate audiences of all ages. Mark your calendars and make plans to see the Jr. Rascals’ next production!

12/08/2025

Another great night of auditions and it's looking like an amazing cast for our fall production of Disney's "The Jungle Book" kids edition!
Miss Maya and Ms. Sue and Miss Lydia are looking forward to working with this cast! This Thursday will be the first read-through so please make every effort to be at this rehearsal. Parents be looking for an email from Maya Doran (director) this evening or early tomorrow morning with more information!
Congratulations to all who auditioned!

11/08/2025

Great turnout this afternoon for Disney’s The Jungle Book kids edition! We are so excited for this production!

There’s one more chance to audition though, so if you couldn’t make it out today, no worries! We’ll hold a 2nd night of auditions tomorrow, Monday, August 11th, 5:00- 6:30 at the Ellisville Opera House.

Cast list will be posted here either Monday evening or Tuesday morning. First read-through will be Thursday, August 14th 6:00-7:30.

10/08/2025

AUDITION! AUDITION! AUDITION!
This Sunday, August 10th 3:00-4:30 and Monday, August 11th 5-6:30 at the Ellisville Opera House!
Anyone in 2nd grade through 8th grade is invited to audition!

ONE CHANGE! The production will be October 10th-12th (second full weekend in October)

Hope to see you there

01/08/2025

Please help spread the word to former participants and anyone you think might enjoy joining us for the 2025 season!

18/07/2025

As you can see, the Junior Rascals' fall production has been chosen and we think it will be a really fun show! Auditions for Disney's "THE JUNGLE BOOK" kids edition will take place on Sunday, August 10th 3:00-4:30 p.m. or Monday August 11th 5:00-6:30 p.m. Auditions are limited to students ages 7-13 (8th grade level).

Rehearsals and performances will take place at the Ellisville Opera House twice a week. Rehearsals will mostly be Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30(or 8:00 if necessary as the show dates approach). Performances will be October 3rd and 4th at 7:00 p.m. and October 5th at 2:00 p.m. Attend all rehearsal is very important and students missing more than 2 rehearsals may be removed from the show. The key is communication upfront. So, when auditioning, parents are asked to provide a list of all dates when the student(s) would be unavailable to rehearse.

Those auditioning will be asked to read from the script in a group and to sing any simple song with accompaniment (something as simple as "Happy Birthday or Jingle Bells is fine!) An accompanist will be provided or you can sing with a recording, (a blue tooth speaker will be provided as well).

For this show we are excited to have a new director in charge. Miss Maya Doran! Maya will be teaching band and general music for the Abingdon/Avon school district starting this fall. She can't wait to begin work with the Rascals! Please spread the word that we're down to the "Bare Necessities" this fall as we present the beloved story of Disney's "The Jungle Book"!

I do not own the rights to this music in any way. This is to be used for student practice and rehearsal only.