Auditions dates set for RLC Spring Musical, “9 to 5”


INA, Ill. – Get down to business this year by auditioning for the Rend Lake College Spring 2019 Musical “9 to 5.” Auditions for the show will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2019 with callbacks set for 6 p.m. Jan. 24. The musical is presented at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 11-13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the RLC Theatre.

Actors over the age of 16 are invited to audition in the RLC Theatre. Actors should dress professionally and bring an extra set of comfortable clothes to learn dance numbers.

Auditions will be a two-step process. Those interested will sing a portion of a song and then learn a dance combination. Actors are asked to have prepared 32 bars or a minute of a song that best shows off their personality and vocal ability, but should not be from the show “9 to 5.” Participants are asked to bring sheet music with them to the audition. An accompanist will be provided.

Callbacks are also scheduled for 6 p.m. in the RLC Theatre where potential actors will be required to do a cold reading and perform portions of songs from “9 to 5.” There may also be an additional dance callback.

After the cast announcement, rehearsals will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 in the RLC Theatre and will be held at the same time and location Mondays through Thursdays, with some exceptions.

For more information about auditions, contact Alstat at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1817 or alstats@rlc.edu.

Based on characters created by Patricia Resnick with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, “9 to 5” revolves around a three female coworkers pushed to the boiling point by a  sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. This show is rated PG-13.

Tickets will cost $12 and will be available for purchase on March 25. Contact the RLC Box Office for additional information at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1467.

Fight for $15 to take center stage in Illinois under new governor

Fight for $15 to take center stage in Illinois

Benton police make arrests

On December 7t, 2018 at approximately 11:15 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to Dollar General located at 1005 East Main Street in reference to a retail theft.  Upon investigating, police arrested Abbey R. Holder, age 37, of West Frankfort for retail theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.  Holder was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On December 8, 2018 at approximately 1:45 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of Glendale Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested. Brent R. Perry, age 43, of Benton for domestic battery.  Perry was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On December 8t, 2018 at approximately 8:50 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 200 block of Bailey Lane in reference to a disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Krystal L. Boner, age 27, of West Frankfort for aggravated assault.  Boner was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing

Rauner applauds Board decision on Airbnb

CHICAGO — The Illinois Investment Policy Board (IIPB) today unanimously found that Airbnb’s decision to delist Jewish-owned properties on the West Bank was not in compliance with Illinois anti-BDS law. Airbnb has until the next IIPB meeting on March 13 to respond before the IIPB takes final action.

Gov. Bruce Rauner issued the following statement applauding the IIPB action:

“In response to our request for an investigation, the Illinois Investment Policy Board has determined that Airbnb is not in compliance with Illinois law prohibiting bans, divestitures and sanctions against the state of Israel. We applaud the Board’s finding and urge Airbnb to reverse its decision. It is imperative that we hold companies accountable when they are engaged in targeted discriminatory activities. Such actions not only violate the law of Illinois, they offend the core values of equality and fairness upon which our nation is built.”

Racers overwhelm Salukis 80-52

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois men’s basketball team’s five-game winning streak came to an abrupt end with a 80-52 loss to Murray State on Wednesday night at SIU Arena. The Racers overwhelmed SIU from the tip and had a 49-18 lead at halftime.
“It was probably the most complete first half I’ve ever been a part of in any form in my time in basketball,” Murray State head coach Matt McMahon said. “I thought our guys were really dialed in. We gave up that first 3 to start the game. Ja (Morant) hit back-to-back big 3’s to get us going, and I thought our effort and toughness were really good.”

Murray State’s Ja Morant, a projected lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, lived up to the hype. In the first half alone, had had 15 points (on 5-6 shooting), nine assists against only one turnover, and three steals. The Racers were 8-of-13 from the 3-point line in the opening frame, led by Tevin Brown (5-for-7).

“I take full responsibility for the preparation of our guys tonight,” SIU head coach Barry Hinson said. “As coaches, we try to find a way to get our guys to compete and get ready for big games. I made a big mistake tonight. I put so much emphasis on Morant and how good we thought he was, and I scared our players. Our guys played scared tonight. It was Military Appreciation Night, and it’s a good quote from Patton: ‘Fear paralyzes all of us.’ We were paralyzed in the first half. Murray had a lot to do with that, but the head coach of the Salukis had more to do with it than Murray.”

Murray (6-1) ended the first half making 11 of its last 12 field goal attempts, while SIU missed 15 of its final 16 shots of the half. The Salukis shot 19.2 percent, the fifth-lowest shooting percentage in a half in school history.

Eric McGill had a big second half for SIU (7-4), scoring 15 of his 19 points after the break. McGill became the first Saluki this season with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds to his 19 points. The closest SIU got in the second half was 21 points, but Murray State responded with a 10-0 run to put any thought of a dramatic comeback out of the question. 

Aaron Cook (14 points) and Sean Lloyd Jr. (11 points) joined McGill in double-figures for SIU. Morant (23 points, 13 assists) and Tevin Brown (20 points, 6-of-11 from the 3-point line) led Murray State. 

The Salukis have a quick turnaround, traveling to No. 14 Buffalo on Saturday. Tip-off against the Bulls, who are undefeated at 9-0, is set for 1 p.m. CT in a game that will be streamed on ESPN+.


ObamaCare continues to fail – Let’s face it, insurance costs are unmanageable for many middle-class Americans

Open enrollment in the 39 states that use the federal HealthCare.gov insurance exchange looks like it will end with a whimper this Saturday. Through the first month, sign-ups are down 11 percent compared to the same period last year.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Fox News.

Rep. Bryant introduces house resolution denouncing ‘disgusting’ Satanic statue at Capitol

State Rep. Terri Bryant has introduced a resolution in the Illinois House condemning the decision by the Illinois Secretary of State to allow The Satanic Temple-Chicago to place a statue in the Statehouse rotunda along with displays that celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

Op-Ed: Two wrongs don’t make a right in ‘Fight for $15’ debate

The “Fight for $15” an hour is back in Illinois, although it’s not likely to be much of a fight and this time there’s a bit of a twist.

Here’s a link to the editorial at Illinois News Network.

Cannabis industry expert: 2018 big, 2019 could bigger for marijuana

s big as 2018 has been for marijuana, one industry expert said 2019 is likely to be even bigger.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Lame duck Chicago mayor comes out swinging against Illinois pension benefits

The state’s pension system is unsustainable and lawmakers in Springfield need to amend the state’s constitution to cut out a clause that protects pensions, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

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