Just in time for summer blockbuster season, Springfield Little Theatre is preparing for a crowd-pleasing classic. I’ll tell you more about the final show of the season later this week in the @sgfcitizen.bsky.social.

I learned so much from Dan Lucy in my two semesters interning for him a million years ago. (Enough to get into print instead of TV 😂) It was always great bumping into on sidelines around the Ozarks. His work will be sorely missed. What a shame.

I can't explain it, but part of me really wants the Knicks to win the NBA Finals.

"God made us to be complex creatures, every one of us, for a reason. So if you want to honor God, here’s the first step: Know who you are. Be who you are. Be the person God created you to be. Amen." — Rev. Liz Edman

Santiago Posada Marín is another phenomenal talent we're fortunate to have in Springfield. He's working on new projects, including a choral piece for Nixa High School.

There's an art fair in Rountree on Saturday. The Pickwick Street Fair has been growing since its debut five years ago, and it spotlights artists from the 417. It looks like a lot of fun, and kids 12 and under get in free.

I spent some time trying to catch lightning bugs last night. It was so much easier 40 years ago.

On this National Hug Your Cat Day, I’m happy to report I have hugged Neko, Dottie, Murray and Alfredo. They weren’t crazy about it.

A good read from Lyndal Scranton for MO State fans. With a few days' distance from the regional, I think the Bears can be proud of the overall season. They jumped from a one-bid league to a multi-bid league, finished higher than expected and earned an at-large selection.

The St. Louis Cardinals' base coaches answer to Stubby and Pop, and I think that's beautiful.

Loved hearing the passion from Dylan Bradley and Ethan Hoover as they talked about their contributions to High Tide's "Little Shop of Horrors," which opens tonight. The company is currently raising money to improve the technical side of things, as Hoover pointed out.

From the inbox: Singles vote these 6 MO places the most unlikely romantic spots in the state. Springfield's Wonders of Wildlife is No. 2! "Babe, what if we Frenched next to the stingray touch tank?"

Fyffe has been a fun one to watch this season. He really stepped up when the team needed someone.

I'm 48 years old and I still have no idea how much stuff will fit inside the tortilla when making tacos. They erupt like tiny volcanoes on the first bite, every single time.

I'm growing to dread the four-day week after a three-day weekend. I'm all out of routine and out of sorts. I'm currently surprised tomorrow is already Thursday and angry it's not Friday. Give me a Friday-Sunday three-day weekend over a Saturday-Monday any time.

Very cool honors for Overlay, led by Meg Wagler. I love this mural, and I love how it has transformed that section of downtown. It looks great when you’re headed west on St. Louis.

Finally tried 4 By 4 Brewing’s Four Bases, the first Springfield Cardinals-branded beer. I wanted to experience it in its natural environment; Route 66 Stadium. This one hits you with the citrus right away. It’s very bright and light, and would be great on a warm summer night at the ol’ ballgame.

Still chasing the dream of being SGF's foremost craft beer writer. Is 2026 the year of crispy beers? Possibly! If you want to join the "Lager Revival," you've got plenty of options in the Queen City.

It's hard for me to imagine acting and singing on stage. But doing it while on stilts? Incredible. I really enjoyed chatting with Allegra Schaeffer to learn about playing "Missouri Giantess" Ella Kate Ewing in Ozarks Lyric Opera's new musical production, "Dream Big."

"Closet Space" is such a throwback to the 60s and 70s. You can be in the audience Friday three episodes are recorded — the last planned for Springfield for a while. I had so much fun chatting with Lindsey Goodhart to learn more about this DIY, fiercely independent show.

Woman at Aldi, to their small child: “Mommy needs a box of wine.” HEARD!

A lot of cool things have happened on the Gillioz Theatre stage. Ozarks Lyric Opera is about to a BIG, very cool thing there this weekend. I’ll tell you about it later in the Springfield Daily Citizen.

One day I thought, “Bobby Petrino is the wildest hire Missouri State will ever make.” Friends, I was wrong.

One of the things I love about Queen City Shakespeare Co. is the way it makes Shakespeare accessible to people who aren't into Shakespeare. Like me. The company launches its second season with "macbitches" and you don't have to know "Macbeth" to be entertained.

Turned the NHL Playoffs for the heck of it. Poor Finn said, "I really miss the Blues." Me too, buddy.

Tonight I went to the basement of a church to watch rehearsal of a play titled “macbitches.” It’s impossible to say Queen City Shakespeare Co. doesn’t have fun. I’ll tell you more in the @sgfcitizen.bsky.social this week.

Jamie downloaded an app that “translates” what your cat is saying. I thought it would be nonsense, but then it translated Dottie meowing at me and said she was saying, “I love you.” So it’s obviously real.

Here's my contribution to the Springfield Daily Citizen's coverage of the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff. Met some folks on Historic C-Street last night, looked at some old cars listened to jazz and watched a drone show. Not a bad evening. sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...

At 17, Mabel Smallwood is an entrepreneur. She's been selling her clay creations at Historic Walnut Street's festivals for several years now and is one of more than 100 at this weekend's Artsfest. The festival will also feature a giant cobra and "the world's second-tallest Hammons Tower."

Hey companies: If you want me to take your survey, tell me I'll be entered to win a gift card. We both know I won't win it, but I at least want to feel wooed.

Every soccer club I love is absolute buns this year. Really leaning on the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Sky to salvage my sports summer.

Anyone have thoughts on this? In general I think programs to get locally grown produce into people's hands are great. missouriindependent.com/2026/04/24/h...

Efim Okov is passionate about sharing underrepresented stories in film. He's organized an international film festival, made up this year of short films, and it's Sunday at Moxie Cinema. Tickets to Silver Chance are just $7 if you want to support Okov's passion project.

Springfield will be in the national spotlight next week and, to be real, I think some in the Queen City are feeling Route 66 Fatigue. 1/2

Do I wanna start a podcast?

Here's my Q&A with Marshfield native Wayne Schroeder. He's appeared on Broadway, toured with "Wicked" for an incredible 14 years, and is back in SGF this week to perform in the musical at Hammons Hall. I had fun hearing about his journey and his decision to drive the tour.

The Earth Day Festival continues to book impressive headliners. The event is this Saturday, April 25, at Jordan Valley Park and it's for a great cause.

Just got off the phone with an Ozarks native who has been touring with the beloved musical "Wicked" for more than a decade and can confirm Dolly Parton off-camera is the same person you see on-camera. I'll tell you more next week in the @sgfcitizen.bsky.social.

When was the last time you unironically referred to SGF as SpringVegas?

It's the last St. Louis Blues game of the season. No playoffs. The game doesn't mean much. My 10-year-old twins could not care less. They're so into this game against the Mammoth. It's fun to be able to enjoy sports like that.

I know how this is gonna make me sound, but shredding my own mozz has elevated the homemade pizza.

The New York Times' "The Good List" newsletter recommended this song by Charlotte Cornfield and absolutely nailed it. I hadn't heard of Cornfield before, but this song is lovely (the pedal steel!) and so is her new album. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlYN...

You can watch an international opera star perform in Springfield this week! Michael Spyres, fresh off starring for New York City's Metropolitan Opera, is part of the cast for Ozarks Lyric Opera's "The Sound of Music" April 17 and 19 at the Gillioz Theatre. sgfcitizen.org/springfield-...

The nice thing about Monday is that Friday is just four days away. Good luck out there, everyone.

Not a political post! One of the things that frustrated me about the discourse around the hotel tax vote was the number of people I saw who used it as an opportunity to tear down the city they live in. "Tourists? Yeah, right. Why would anyone want to visit here?"

The transformation of the southwest corner of Jefferson and Park Central East into Birthplace Plaza is nearing completion. I checked in with the artists installing a sculpture and a mosaic and Ellie Frysztak took some great photos.

Good morning, gang. Sending you love. Take good care of yourself today.

I love being a local journalist and I love working for the @sgfcitizen.bsky.social. On this #LocalNewsDay I want to thank everyone who has ever taken the time to read something with my byline. Local news really matters, and I hope you will support it if you're able.

I can't believe I didn't know about the Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra! The nonprofit has taken to putting on free shows for those who "can't sit still or quietly" and might not normally be able to sit through a traditional orchestra performance. So cool.

Need to catch up on last night's election results in the Springfield metro? Lots of free stories here!