Barrington's White House virtual programs kick off with 'Spoon River Anthology'

Keep culture alive with Barrington's White House this fall and winter. The performing arts venue will offer art, holiday magic, virtual presentations, live Q&As and more.

November begins with a multilayered "dance-art" presentation of Edgar Lee Masters' "Spoon River Anthology." Watch the dancers of the Midwest Dance Collective bring to life "Lost in Silence" through music, dance and spoken word at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Tickets are $10.

"Spoon River Anthology," published in 1915, is a sequence of more than 200 free-verse epitaphs spoken from the cemetery near the town of Spoon River. The work's view of Midwestern small town values influenced a whole generation of writers' works. The central Illinois area where the anthology is set was a few miles from Abraham Lincoln's New Salem, and Lincoln is the focus of one of the speaker's presentations.

Directed by Paddy Lynn, Jon Lynn, and Ellen Werksman, "Lost In Silence" brings characters to life through music, dance and spoken word. People from all walks of life come forward from their graves and share compelling stories of their hopes, dreams, tragedies, and joys, not to mention their advice and warnings to those who are still living.

Their stories not only reflect the life and times of those living in 1915, but also offer universal lessons to all of us living today.

International storyteller and actress Paddy Lynn has been sharing her passion for literature and storytelling for more than 20 years with people of all ages. Her story-acting programs for children have traveled all over the Midwest and many cities in Mexico.

Paddy Lynn is the author of several children's books and has served as a drama teacher in various schools and libraries in Illinois.

Renowned theater director and retired teacher Jon Lynn has a special affinity for "Spoon River," having directed it numerous times in his teaching career. Jon Lynn has spent more than 50 years with the Kirk Players in Mundelein and now serves as an actor and director for the group.

Master teacher, choreographer and director Ellen Werksman has created works of "dance-art" for the Barrington and Chicago area for more than 30 years. She has been recognized internationally for her innovative and creative choreography, as well as being heralded as a Master Teacher, having traveled across the U.S. and Mexico sharing her expertise. She is also the director of The Dancewerks Barrington Dance Studio.

• Next up is the 2nd Thursdays Jazz Cabaret series. Watch live as local talent play some of their favorite jazz tunes with the Marianne Kim jazz duo at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov, 12. Free.

• On Sunday, Nov. 15, there will be an exclusive performance from California by pianist and cultural historian Richard Glazier. Join at 3 p.m. to witness Glazier's passion for the rich cultural heritage of early 20th century American music spotlighting Gershwin and the American Popular Songbook. Tickets are $10.

• Third Thursdays in November, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19, will feature artist Michael Ireland, who has identified himself as an artist for more than 50 years. This free exhibit showcases his new work along with other pieces that have stood the test of time.

• The Encore Players will present an original full-length staged reading of "Pillow Fight," inspired by the frothy comedies of the 1950s, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. This adult parody sends characters on a collision course for a big Broadway comeback. Tickets are $10.

• The Bella Voce Camerata will take us on a journey of jolly Renaissance Christmas songs and motets at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Get in the holiday spirit with this vocal chamber ensemble whom the Chicago Tribune described as "finely calibrated, with subtle variations in color."

• Lastly, Barrington's White House will present another Christmas carol singalong with Barrington treasure Nancie Tobison at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Watch and sing as Tobison and BHS alums lead us through some of your favorite holiday classics. Tickets are $5.

For more information or tickets for the events, visit www.barringtonswhitehouse.com/events or call (224) 512-4284.