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For its 20th season, Easy Street Theater is staging a double bill that packages two fully produced shows under one ticket, spotlighting the company’s growth and continued role in Kankakee County’s arts scene. The production, titled Fairytales & Finales, runs March 6–8 at the St. John Paul II Settles Center and aims to deliver both familiar stories and original comedy while keeping the theater’s inclusive mission front and center.
Founded in 2006 by Monica Brigham, Easy Street Theater provides performance opportunities for actors with disabilities and has become a steady presence locally. Over two decades the troupe has tackled classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Grease, alongside new works developed by the company.
Brigham, who is beginning to hand more artistic control to younger leaders, says the program’s persistence shows it has taken root in the community and will continue to offer meaningful experiences for performers and volunteers alike.
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What’s on stage
The production itself is split into two distinct halves. The first, billed as the “Fairytales” segment, presents Ever After: The Musical, a comic retelling in which fairy-tale figures resolve their conflicts through the format of a daytime talk show—expect playful twists on Snow White and Cinderella.
Directed by Kathy Stockton, this portion leans into music and humor while reimagining familiar characters’ relationships.
The second piece, called “Finales,” is an original script by Ken Klipp that imagines the early drafts of three classic films. Under Sarah Stephens’ direction, the cast brings to life queer and unexpected takes on well-known personalities, with appearances by figures such as Darth Vader and Scrooge in fresh, comedic contexts.
Both segments are performed back-to-back, giving audiences two narratives and two casts in a single evening.
Key details
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Evening performances | March 6 & 7 — 7:00 p.m. | St. John Paul II Settles Center, 956 S. 10th Ave., Kankakee |
| Matinee | March 8 — 2:00 p.m. | Same location |
| Tickets | $15 each — cash only at the door | |
- Two shows, one ticket: audiences see both segments as part of the same program.
- Community impact: ongoing opportunities for actors with special abilities and new directors.
- Practical note: ticketing is cash-only at the door, so plan accordingly.
Production credits and cast lists are available through the company; the schedule makes it accessible for families and community members who want a compact, entertaining evening.
Easy Street Theater’s double feature is notable this season not for spectacle but for sustaining an inclusive local arts program into its third decade—an outcome that matters to performers, caregivers, and the wider community that supports accessible theater.
For updates and any last-minute changes, check easystreettheater.com or the theater’s Facebook page before attending.
