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Lincoln Community Theatre productions

Lincoln Community Theatre's summer productions are "Nuncrackers," presented June 13-21; "Steel Magnolias," July 11-19; and "1776," Aug. 1-9. The box office at the Johnston Center for Performing Arts on the Lincoln College campus is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday; call (217) 735-2614. For more information, visit www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre.

'A Shortcut in Time'

[JUNE 4, 2003]  ^"A Shortcut in Time," Charles Dickinson, Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, 288 pages, science fiction

Review by Bobbi Reddix

Like many authors, Charles Dickinson tackles the concept of time travel. "A Shortcut in Time" is a novel written in a very unique manner. Dickinson doesn't give us gadgets and gizmos, nor does he attempt to explain the physics behind his concepts. He just allows it to happen as a freak incident with no real explanation, and that works wonderfully in this book.

Josh Winkler is a struggling artist living in a town called Euclid Heights, Ill. He is unexpectedly transported back 15 minutes in time while taking a shortcut in a rainstorm. Josh becomes intrigued by his experience and relates the events to an unconvinced wife and daughter.

After Josh's unexpected jaunt in the past, things begin to unravel, as they often have a way of doing.

A young girl appears in town claiming to be from the year 1908. Most people in town are naturally unbelieving, but because of Josh's recent trip, he agrees to try to help her return to her own time. She must return to the past before a certain date to prevent an unfortunate and unforgivable event.

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In a search for clues to what has caused her to materialize in the future, she learns that the man she loves will in a few days be executed in the past for her disappearance. The reader is drawn into the frantic pace at which Josh and this young lady attempt to recreate conditions to return her to her own time.

Her successful return is only the beginning. It appears as if these two are not the only ones capable of time travel. The town is full of odd shortcuts, and while running home during a rainstorm one night, Josh's pre-pubescent daughter Penny is taken back to the year 1908 as well. After he discovers that she will die in the influenza epidemic following World War I, he must attempt to travel back and save her.

This is a wonderful one-night read. Dickinson makes the concept of time travel real to readers, but not by showing us scientifically that it could happen. He doesn't talk of formulas or theories, and we are better able to enjoy the story because of this. The characters' travels through time do cause events in the future to change. The changes in the events of Josh's life following his attempt to alter a bit of history are somewhat surprising and present another story in and of itself.

Charles Dickinson is the acclaimed author of such novels as "Rumor Has It," "The Widows' Adventures," "Crows," and "Waltz in Marathon." He lives in Arlington Heights, Ill.

[Bobbi Reddix,  Lincoln Public Library District]

• Lincoln Community Theatre

• Lincoln Land Concert Association

• Logan County Arts Association

LCT 'Nuncrackers' opens

[JUNE 10, 2003]  Lincoln Community Theatre's first production of the season, the hilarious musical "Nuncrackers," will open Friday, June 13, at 8 p.m. at the Johnston Center for Performing Arts, 300 Keokuk, Lincoln. Performances run through Saturday, June 21. The Tuesday through Saturday shows are at 8 p.m., and the Sunday production will be a 2 p.m. matinee. There is no performance on Monday.

LCT '1776' auditions

[JUNE 2, 2003]  Lincoln Community Theatre is looking for a few good men -- literally! Twenty-three men ranging in age from 20 to 50 are sought to fill roles in the final production of the 2003 summer season,"1776," a history-based musical. Roles include parts for older, "mature" actors as well as for one teenage male.

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Classic films return to Lincoln Cinemas

The Logan County Arts Association, in conjunction with GKC Cinemas Corporation, has brought the classic film night series back to the Lincoln Cinemas. The next set of films is scheduled for every second Thursday through October, with shows at 7 p.m.

Classic films lined up for the 2003 season:

• "My Fair Lady," June 12
• "Old Yeller," July 10
• "The Apartment," Aug. 14
• "Wuthering Heights," Sept. 11

• "War of the Worlds," Oct. 9

Tickets are $5.50 for adults and $4.50 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. The tickets are available at GKC Lincoln Cinemas.

Anyone wanting more information may call the Logan County Arts Association at (217) 735-4422.

[Press release from the
Logan County Arts Association]

Lincoln Community Theatre's box office, phone 735-2614,  is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday for the summer season. The office is located in the lobby of the Johnston Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Lincoln College.

Performances of "Dearly Departed" are scheduled for July 12-20, and "The King and I" will be presented Aug. 2-10. Show times are 2 p.m. on Sundays and 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The LCT mailing address is Lincoln Community Theatre, P.O. Box 374, Lincoln, IL  62656; e-mail: lincolncommunitytheatre@yahoo.com.

Visit the LDC website at www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/index.html. Pictures from past productions are included.

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