Vol.1, No.11, October 17, 2025
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People. Places. Things To Do. |
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| | Hello, friends and arts enthusiasts,
We had a historic, record-breaking pledge drive last week. Thanks to everyone who didn’t just tune in but turned up and a special thanks to The Green Room tip jar contributors: Jacob S., Cori E., and Mark A.
The Green Room is a welcoming and cozy space backstage at theaters where artists can relax during their visit. It’s a place to warm up, catch up with friends, and meet with VIPs. I’m so glad to have you here with me each week.
Theater season rolls on as Springfield Little Theatre celebrates its 91st season at the Landers Theatre. The roots and branches of this community theater tree have spread wide, fueling many endeavors and inspiring generations of thespians to forge their own paths on stage and screen.
On opening night, you can flip through the playbill filled with cast photos, director’s notes, and behind-the-scenes stories, your first glimpse into the world waiting behind the curtain.
In the theater the smell of popcorn hangs in the air, and a massive two-story set looms over the stage. So much energy and effort go into these productions. Deadlines, rehearsals, learned lines and timing—it’s all about timing in theater. Every music cue, lighting change and entrance is carefully crafted, molding chaos into harmony.
Thanks for joining me in The Green Room. But now it’s time to silence your phone, forget about the work emails and settle in. The show is about to start.
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| Jimmy Rea
Host, Arts News
KSMU 91.1 - FM
Ozarks Public Broadcasting
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The Green Room Arts News Letter is presented by
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Springfield Little Theatre "Noises Off' rehearsal. Photo Credit: Springfield Little Theatre
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The 1982 farce by English playwright Michael Frayn, a hit on London’s West End and Broadway, now wreaks havoc on the Landers Theatre stage. We talk with the director and a cast member about this hilarious production...read more.
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Beppe Gambetta. Photo credit: Beppe Gambetta
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Beppe Gambetta teams up with Hayes Griffin for a listening-room performance where the audience sits just feet from the musicians. We hear a cut from Gambetta’s latest record ahead of this rare Springfield appearance...read more.
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Arts News on KSMU is your long-standing source for what's happening in the Ozarks arts scene spotlighting local creators, performances, and cultural events every week. Tune in Fridays at 10 a.m. on 91.1-FM or stream at KSMU.org
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👉Got a story, event, or artist I should know about? Share your arts and music tips with The Green Room, and help us shine a spotlight on the creative pulse of the Ozarks! You can email them to me at JRea@MissouriState.edu.
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The arts in the Ozarks depend on community support to stay strong and that starts with all of us! With your support we're keeping local stories, music, and creativity alive right here at home. Consider leaving a tip! ⬇️
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❤️Huge thanks to Jacob S., Cori E., and Mark A. for their generous tips last week to The Green Room. We appreciate you!
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Who doesn’t love a hamburger?
It’s a well spun tale, but did you possibly not know that Springfield is (purportedly) the home to the first drive-up in America? As in, you’d drive up to a speaker, place your order, park, and - VOILA! Food!
Red’s Giant Hamburg opened on Route 66 (on what is now the 2800 block of W Chestnut) in 1947. When Sheldon “Red” Chaney made his original sign, a cross with the intersected words “Giant Hamburger” on its horizontal and vertical sections (respectively) it was too tall and interfered with the power lines. In true Ozarkian tradition, he manufactured a novel solution on the spot: cut the last two letters off the bottom. Thus, Red’s Giant “Hamburg” was born.
In 1982, The Morells (formerly, and then eventually again, “The Skeletons,”) released their sole proper album, “Shake and Push.” The lead single, the video, and the cover of the album? Red’s. A place where a person could get a hand ground burger, some house made root beer, brown beans, and a steak plate lunch, all with five-gallon water jugs on the table (with paper cups).
The Symptoms/Skeletons/Morells/et al., were one of the finest and most famous groups Springfield has ever produced. Led by the legendary Lou Whitney (mentioned in this column just a few weeks ago) their tale is long and their influence wide. From the 1970’s through the early 2000’s, their sound was as essential to what became nationally known as “The Springfield Sound” (definitely a topic for a future article) as any other. But now is the time for me to end this and for you to listen up! So, pop “Red’s” by The Morells on the grill, taste that sizzle, and we’ll see you next week!
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Local Radar with Ran Cummings is a weekly music and conversation radio show on KSMU featuring bands and performances from in and around the Ozarks every Friday night at 9:00 p.m. on 91.1 - FM or stream at KSMU.org.
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Studio Live with Melissa Rea and Jess Balisle airs the 2nd Friday of every month on KSMU. Tune in at 12:00 p.m. for an hour of live music and conversation with talented artists. Later that evening, experience the music in person at a FREE performance from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Springfield Brewing Company.
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November 14: Mr. Orange
December 12: Drew Beine
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🎶Friends don't leave friends out of the music and arts scene - they share all the local arts and music happenings. Just forward this email to friends!
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In the mood to stay in? Queue up one of these videos handpicked by our staff at Ozarks Public Broadcasting, perfect for a night in when you're skipping the scene but still craving culture.
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These favorites from KSMU and OPT are just the beginning—there’s a whole world of storytelling, music, documentaries, and local gems waiting on you to dive in and discover at your local public broadcasting station.
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Was this email sent to you by a friend? If you'd love fresh takes, local gems, and behind-the-scenes artsy goodness in your inbox every week subscribe to The Green Room Arts News letter.
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The Green Room: A Weekly Arts News Letter is a production of Ozarks Public Broadcasting. For more information about our programs and services please visit our website.
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Mailing Address:
901 South National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
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Ozarks Public Television 417-836-3500
KSMU Radio 417-836-5878
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