The latest production from Lyric Theatre at Illinois opens Friday night at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana. “The Adventures of Little Sharp Ears” by the Czech composer Leoš Janáček follows wildlife as they move from the farmyard through the forest.

Senator Tammy Duckworth just introduced a resolution that would repeal President Trump’s travel ban on five majority-Muslim countries. Today, she joins us from Washington to talk about all of that and more. Plus, when you think performing arts, you might think of Chicago. But for 50 years, the Krannert Center in Urbana has been a thriving place for theater, music, and dance. And some of the biggest shows on television are wrapping up this year.

Director Mike Ross spoke with Illinois Public Media about the role the Krannert Center has played over the past 50 years in the arts community in central Illinois and beyond.

This weekend, the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana, Illinois, celebrates 50 years of bringing music, theater and dance to a part of the country where many are surprised to find it.

The week of July 16th will be an intense one for participants in the annual Summer Piano Institute at the University of Illinois. Piano students from across the U-S and abroad will be studying with five guest faculty pianists — including the Summer Piano Institute’s artistic director, Ian Hobson. Both students and guest faculty will give public performances, and some will perform with Sinfonia da Camera.