CARBONDALE – July 2, 2014. Heading into the Fourth of July weekend, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"As we prepare to celebrate our country`s 238th birthday, we should take time to look back on the half century since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act," Simon said. "Today, we should honor the brave struggle of activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and the Freedom Riders. We have come a long way, but there is still more work to be done to ensure true equality."

Simon spent part of the day Wednesday, the anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act, at Southern Illinois University, where she spoke to international students about American politics and civil rights.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was conceived by President John F. Kennedy, defended in Congress by U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois, and enacted under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Signed July 2, 1964, it ensures equality under the law regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The law has given Americans a tool to fight discrimination in housing, the job market, the courtroom, and at the polls.

Simon continues to support the expansion of civil rights in Illinois. She spoke out in favor of marriage equality, and celebrated alongside activists as the marriage equality law went into effect last month. The law ensures the marriages of same-sex couples are legally recognized in Illinois.

Having completed its 2013-14 season with the acclaimed production of True West, Davenport's QC Theatre Workshop is gearing up for its third season of performances with two exciting and funny presentations: the Tony Award-winning comedy 'Art,' running August 15 through 30, and Bat Boy: The Musical, with auditions for the October show taking place on July 26.

Translated by Oscar winner Christopher Hampton from the original French play by Yasmina Reza (author of 2009's Tony champ God of Carnage), 'Art' is a biting and hilarious exploration of male camaraderie, competitiveness, and ego. Reza's comedy revolves around the purchase of an enormous white painting, with white lines, that threatens the relationship of three longtime friends: Serge, who can't grasp his pals' disapproval of his new artwork; Marc, who can't fathom the $200,000 purchase of an all-white painting; and Yvan, who can't understand why everyone can't just get along.

Described by the New York Times as "very funny" and "an impeccably tailored piece of work," 'Art' received the 1998 Tony for Best Play and went on to run for 600 performances. The show was also produced by the area's Curtainbox Theatre Company in 2010, and the QC Theatre Workshop's Artistic Director Tyson Danner is delighted that the cast for that production - Adam Michael Lewis, Aaron Randolph III, and Mike Schulz - is returning, in their original roles, for this new take on 'Art.'

"At the Workshop, we are incredibly lucky to attract such stellar performers show after show," says Danner, "and these guys were all eager to reunite. I can't wait for our audiences to see what a riot they will be!"

Each member of the show's acting trio is already acquainted with the Workshop venue: Lewis appeared there in the Prenzie Players' 2013 production of Two Gentlemen of Verona; Randolph was the author of last summer's original drama A Green River; and Schulz performed in the company's springtime presentation of True West.

But while this stage reunion is taking place with the full support of 'Art''s Curtainbox director Dave Furness and producer Kimberly Kurtenbach Furness, Danner - who will direct the Workshop's production- stresses that the season-opener is not simply a remount of a previous area presentation.

"I am glad we can offer this play to our community again. Having been out of the area during the previous production, I'm looking forward to leading the production with a fresh perspective," says Danner. "Plus, 'Art' will take place exactly two years after our first production, and it couldn't be a better match. I love that we get the chance to produce this comedic flip-side of RED."

'Art' will be staged at the QC Theatre Workshop (1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport) from August 15 through 30. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances are at 3 p.m., and due to occasional strong language, the show is recommended for mature audiences.

Meanwhile, three weeks prior to 'Art''s opening, the theatre will host auditions for its October production (performance dates TBA) of the off-Broadway smash Bat Boy: The Musical, which will take place at the Workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 26.

Loosely based on the notorious Weekly World News story about a half-boy/half-bat who was discovered living alone in a cave, Bat Boy is the hysterical, clever, and surprisingly touching tale of a strange young creature and the townsfolk who despise him - a genre-bending hit that led the New York Times to rave, "It's remarkable what [this show's] intelligent wit can accomplish."

James Fairchild, from last fall's Workshop production of Last Call: The Songs of Stephen Sondheim and director of the District Theatre's A New Brain, will direct Bat Boy. Roles are available for male and female actors of all ages and types, with most characters open to the double- (and even triple- ) casting of performers. Those auditioning should be prepared to read from the script, and should prepare 32 bars, or one verse and chorus, of either a pop-rock song or an up-tempo musical-theatre selection. No monologues will be required, but those auditioning should come prepared to tell a joke.

As with the Workshop's eight previous productions, both 'Art' and Bat Boy: The Musical will be presented under the company's popular "Pay What It's Worth" policy, which allows patrons to determine their own ticket prices following each performance.

or info@QCTheatreWorkshop.org, or visit QCTheatreWorkshop.org.

Bat Boy: The Musical auditions

Saturday, July 26, 1 - 3 p.m.

'Art' performances

Friday, August 15, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 16, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 17, 3 p.m.

Friday, August 22, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 23, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 24, 3 p.m.

Friday, August 29, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 30, 7:30 p.m.

QC Theatre Workshop

1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport, Iowa, 52804

(563)650-2396

info@QCTheatreWorkshop.org

QCTheatreWorkshop.org

Facebook.com/QCTheatreWorkshop

MOUNT CARROLL, IL -- Timber Lake Playhouse will present the local premiere of The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein beginning Thursday, July 3. From the award-winning team that brought The Producers to international acclaim, this monster musical comedy, which runs through Saturday, June 28, is a dizzy, lavish and fast paced re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend based on Mel Brooks' classic comedy film masterpiece. Former Artistic Director Brad Lyons returns to Mount Carroll to direct the hilarity starring TLP's professional company from all over the country.

The story follows bright, young Dr. Frankenstein (that's Fronkensteen), played by TLP favorite Cody Jolly, as he attempts to complete his grandfather's masterwork and bring a corpse to life. Together with his oddly shaped and endearing helper Igor (that's Eye-gor), played by Matt Webb (Patsy in last year's Spamalot), his curvaceous lab assistant Inga (Lexie Plath), and in spite of his incredibly self-involved madcap fiancé Elizabeth (Allison Hunt), Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster (Blake W. Price)-- but not without hilarious complications from Frau Blucher (Analisha Santini), Inspector Kemp (Grant Brown), the villagers of Transylvania Heights and, of course, Irving Berlin's "Puttin' on the Ritz."

Enthusiasts of the film have plenty of new surprises to look forward to in the stage adaptation. And musical comedy fans will be in heaven with the new, high-energy songs and riotous dances including "Transylvania Mania," "He Vas My Boyfriend," "Roll In Ze Hay," and "Together Again?For The First Time." The production also features some "shocking" visual effects as well as spectacularly "monstrous" choreography by Cameron Turner (Spamalot).

There are only 11 chances to see Young Frankenstein. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. (except July 4, July 6 and July 7). Wednesday and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 p.m. There is a 3:00 pm matinee on Saturday, July 5. Tickets are $17 for students, $21 for seniors, $23 for single seats and are available at the Timber Lake Playhouse box office, 815-244-2035, or www.timberlakeplayhouse.org.

TLP's Do Something Spectacular: Live The Story campaign continues with Young Frankenstein through the help of Happy Tails Humane Society in Rock Falls, Illinois. Happy Tails operates Whiteside County's only animal shelter.  They are a limited-intake, no-kill facility that shelters and cares for stray and abandoned dogs and cats until they are adopted into loving, permanent homes.  They promote pet adoption and humane education in the region. At each performance of Young Frankenstein, audiences will have an opportunity to help "save the creature!"

YOUNG FOOTLITERS HOLDING AUDITIONS FOR THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE JULY 9 & 10

Youth Entering Grades 4-12 Encouraged to Audition for September Production

Young Footliters invites youth entering grades 4-12 to audition for the September 12-14 production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, adapted by Joseph Robinette from the C.S. Lewis novel and directed by Matt Falduto. Auditions are Wednesday, July 9 and Thursday, July 10 from 6pm-8pm in the lower level of the Coralville Public Library.

Those interested in auditioning should sign up for an audition slot by visiting www.coralvillearts.org or www.youngfootliters.wordpress.com.  Auditioners may prepare a short monologue or be prepared to do a cold reading from provided scripts.  Auditions are competitive; Young Footliters will cast as many children and teens as feasible but cannot guarantee all will be cast.

Performances are at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.  The participation fee will be $40 per actor.