Spoon River Rascals

08/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15nujVxAi6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

18/12/2024

Some may know, HERO was able to install central air conditioning on the 1st floor this fall. Wonderful, right?

Well, it is! However, the furnace it is attached to has recently been declared DOA, “passed its prime”, “toast”, etc. 😩

We need to replace the 1st floor furnace ASAP.

If you have any “end of the year charitable funds” that need to be used, we sure could use them.

Please send your donation however large or small to:

GALESBURG COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
246 E. Main St. #101
Galesburg, IL 61401

-and specify donation for
Historical Ellisville Restoration Organization.

Your help and support encourage and enable us to continue serving our surrounding communities, providing entertainment such as our annual Christmas Ball (this Friday!), youth education and experience in theater and music, community dinners and concerts, senior citizen outreach, meals and activities, just to name a few!

We are so fortunate to live amongst people who value their rural heritage, their community and having relationships with their neighbors! So much, that you have made it possible for the Opera House to be restored, maintained and continually improved over the past few decades.

This is why I humbly ask you to help us with this unexpected expense.

Thank you all for your support in the past and future!

15/12/2024

Spent the afternoon with a Santa from China, his elf from Columbia and two more that were born with Spoon River mud between their toes. Despite from coming from different corners of the earth, all four were amazing help as we decorated the Opera House for our annual Christmas Ball next Friday evening, 7:30-10:00.
Don’t disappoint Santa and forget to show up to dance in the Christmas season as they did in 1891 when the Opera was erected! (He says you’re going on the naughty list if you don’t at least stop by! 😳🎄🎶🎅)

Thanks to Aijun, Phillip, Brenna & Joel for all your hard work!

14/12/2024

HICKORY RIDGE CONCERT SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT AT THE OPERA HOUSE HAS BEEN CANCELED. Chris says to stay warm and safe and he’ll see you with more outstanding talent in the coming year!

30/11/2024

We hope you'll join the Spoon River Heritage Singers tomorrow as we usher in the Christmas Season in song! There is no admission charge, but we will take up an offering to be shared between the Avon and Fairview food banks.

Come enjoy inspiring music in the equally inspiring setting of the lovely Fairview Reformed Church!

18/11/2024

The Spoon River Heritage Singers invite you to attend our annual Holiday Concert. Singing, brass instruments and handbells make a perfect way to usher in the Christmas season!

The concert is free, but we will take up a free-will donation. All proceeds will be divided between the Avon and Fairview Food Banks.

Please help us usher in the season of good tidings and great joy!

12/11/2024

Thank you to all who made the 1st Opera House dinner theater event a success this weekend!
Special thanks to director Kenny Knox and actors Adam Duffield and Sarah Smith. Jerry Finnegan’s Sister was absolutely delightful!
And thank you to the Rascals and friends of the Spoon River Rascals who served as waiter staff. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Special thanks to Becky Grzanich and Colleen Marinich who cleaned the building and prepared the meals… amazing job!
And thank you to the patrons, old and new for supporting our efforts to provide entertainment and opportunities to perform here in Spoon River Country! We hope to see you again soon!

08/11/2024

Jerry Finnegan’s Sister has reached capacity for Friday’s show!
We still have a few seats available on Saturday.

08/11/2024

Jerry Finnegan’s Sister Sunday matinee sold out

05/11/2024

Calling all Rascal parents who said they were willing to help when needed:

I’ve wrenched my knee and it’s making it difficult to get everything done for the dinner theater this weekend. If you could help with any of the following, it would be greatly appreciated!

1. We need a couple more people willing to serve food on Sunday afternoon.
2. The theater auditorium and stairwell needs vacuumed / swept before Friday night, preferably Thursday or Friday during the day.
3. Since no one cleaned the restrooms before the fall production, they need a good going over.
4. If you are a baker, we’d appreciate a few pie/dessert donations.

Please message Paula if you can help with any of these requests. With your help we can continue to provide opportunities for area talent to grow while entertaining our communities. Thank you!

Also- WINNIE THE POOH DVDs are in.

01/11/2024

We're one week away from opening night!
Don't forget to make your reservations to see JERRY FINNEGAN'S SISTER!
This show is directed by well-seasoned director, Kenny Knox and performed by two Fulton County natives, Sarah Smith and Adam Duffield. The Opera House loves to feature "locally grown talent" and these two are no exception! If you enjoy a good laugh and you want to support local theater, you won't want to miss this wonderful production! Because this is a dinner theater, (well, more of a "snack supper" theater), we have put our reservation system into place, so please email your reservation soon, as seating is filling up!

25/10/2024

This is going to be so much fun, so don't miss out an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful performance and help us initiate our first non-musical play! (Well, there's a little music, but you'll have to see the show to find out exactly what that means!) Gather some friends and join us!

22/10/2024

Please join us for this delightful show! Local talent Sarah Smith and Adam Duffield present this funny and tender look at a romance that has silently brewed since next door neighbors Brian and Beth were in grade school. But now that Beth is getting married, Brian has to tell her how he feels and hope it's not too late! Directed by Kenny Knox, this show won't disappoint! Good food, great entertainment... You won't want to miss this one!

19/10/2024

HICKORY RIDGE CONCERT SERIES welcomes to the Opera House stage Ohio musician Charlie Mosbrook Saturday, October 19th. An accomplished singer and guitarist, Chris specializes in songs with historic messages, in the style of Woody Guthrie.

In 2010 Chris suffered a severe spinal cord injury, rendering him a high-functioning quadriplegic, but after extensive surgery and therapy, made his way back to continue his passion for performing and sharing songs that have inspired generations.

Please join us at the Historic Ellisville Opera House tomorrow for an evening of music, dessert and fun! Show starts at 7:00 pm. $10 adults, $5 children under 12.

Pie, desserts and popcorn available for purchase; combined with cabaret seating make for an intimate evening of fantastic music with friends. As always, the Hickory Ridge concert series is hosted by Chris Vallillo.

15/10/2024

08/10/2024

!!!! PLEASE NOTE DATES CHANGED!!!!
(It helps to look at the right year when looking at a calendar! The poster below reflects the correct dates of November 8-10th)

We are so excited to host our first "Dinner Theater" event! Well... it's actually more like an "hors d'oeuvres" theater event... but either way, there will be plenty to eat and plenty of laughter!

"Brian Dowd has spent the last 10 years of his life wrestling with an unrequited "something" for his best friend's sister, who happens to live next door. But each and every time he's spoken with Beth Finnegan for more than 30 seconds, he's ended up with his foot planted firmly in his mouth. Now, Brian's time is about to run out. With recent news that Jerry Finnegan's sister is getting married, the time has come for him to put up or shut up. What's he got to lose--except the love of his life! In a series of fast-moving, hysterically funny scenes, characters Brian and Beth are portrayed from ages seven and six, through their adolescent and teen years, right up to the moment the play is happening."

Directed by Kenny Knox, he brings to our stage actors Sarah Smith and Adam Duffield to present this delightfully funny and tender romantic comedy.

This will be a great date night or evening with friends. Get your reservations now, as seating will be limited!

06/10/2024

That’s a wrap!
Cast and parents- on behalf of JoEllen, Halee, Mike, Karol and Paula- thank you for the lovely flowers and gifts today! And thank you to all who helped with clean up this weekend and striking the show this afternoon.

We are all so very proud of this cast and the incredible improvement you showed over the course the last few weeks. I know you will all sleep well tonight (me too!💤)

If anyone took a photo you’d like to share, we’d love for you to post it here!

We look forward to seeing you next year!