The show must go on, LCT brings Penguin Project to the stage
For a few years, the La Crosse Community Theatre (LCT) has been one of the many theaters that participate in the Penguin Project. For the past three years, LCT has been trying to obtain a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to help with funding of their chapter of the Penguin Project. After receiving the grant earlier in January of this year, LCT was informed in April that the grant would be rescinded because the program did not align with the new DEI guidelines put forth by the Trump administration. That was in the middle of the current LCT Penguin Project production.
Let me put that more clearly. LCT repeatedly applied for a grant from the NEA to fund a program intended for youths with developmental disabilities. They received the grant in January. This year's Penguin show starts rehearsals in March. Kids have gotten their scripts and have started learning how to be in and do a community theater show. Then, because of new DEI guidelines, the NEA rescinds the grant.
Then, the La Crosse communtiy did something beautiful. They responded with an outpouring of support. Not only will the show go on this year, but according to the LCT Artistic Advancement Director, Alex Attardo, 'Penguin is here to stay. It's not going anywhere.'
With that said, the show must go on, and on it does! This weekend, June 13th through the 15th, you have 3 opportunities to see these talented kids in the Big Bad Musical. According to Pioneer Drama Service, the notorious Big Bad Wolf has been slapped with a class-action lawsuit by the quirky storybook characters who want to get even: Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs, and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. With Sydney Grimm as the commentator on live Court TV, the two greatest legal minds in the Enchanted Forest (the Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother) clash in a trial that will be remembered forever after.
The shows are Friday evening at 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 pm. You can buy tickets on the LCT website or at the door before the show.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Bad Bunny imitates Trump's voice to criticize his immigration policies in new music video
Bad Bunny is celebrating the Puerto Rican diaspora and immigrant community this Fourth of July with a political statement. The Puerto Rican reggaeton star released the music video for "NUEVAYoL" off his latest album "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" on Friday morning, seemingly taking a stand against Donald Trump's anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric. Towards the end of the video, as people huddle around an old school radio, a voice meant to emulate Trump's very own can be heard saying: "I made a mistake. I want to apologize to the immigrants in America." "I'm in the United States. I know America is the whole continent," the faux Trump continues. "I want to say that this country is nothing without the immigrants. This country is nothing without Mexicans, Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Cubans …" Recently, due to Trump's ongoing immigration crackdown, Southern California has been the epicenter of dozens of ICE raids since early June. On July 3, Congress passed Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which will allocate $45 billion for immigration detention centers as well as about $30 billion to hire more ICE personnel, for transportation costs and to maintain ICE facilities, according to NPR. Bad Bunny launches a political statement, making fun of President Donald Trump on the 4th of July. 🇵🇷 Bad Bunny features Puerto Rico flag across Statue of Liberty in music video It wouldn't be a Bad Bunny music video without giving a nod to his Puerto Rican heritage. In the music video, the 31-year-old also features a powerful image of the Puerto Rican flag against the Statue of Liberty's forehead. Bad Bunny ended the "NUEVAYoL" music video with another message: "Juntos Somos Más Fuertes" ("Together We Are Stronger"). Bad Bunny's latest album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" pays tribute to his Boricua roots and sees the singer incorporate traditional genres such as Plena, salsa and jibaro into his signature Latin urbano sound. The 17-track LP features collaborations with Puerto Rican acts including RaiNao, Omar Courtz and Dei V, and Los Pleneros de la Cresta. What happens now? Bad Bunny's residency is supercharging Puerto Rico's tourism. In honor of the album's release, Bad Bunny is hosting an estimated 600,000 concertgoers at his sold-out No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí concert residency, which will take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico from July 11 to Sept. 14. "The idea for the residency was always there, for as long as I can remember," Bad Bunny told Variety in an interview. "But it became difficult to ignore, the more time passed. I'll admit, it was hard to complete my last tour, because all I wanted to do was move into this chapter." Watch Bad Bunny's new music video for 'NUEVAYoL': In May, Bad Bunny announced a world tour for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS" − but to many fans' surprise, it excluded the U.S. The tour will kick off Nov. 21 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before making its way through Latin America through late February. Bad Bunny will also perform in Sydney, Australia, for the first time, before a performance in Tokyo in March. He'll be hitting up Europe in June and July, visiting London, Marseille, Stockholm and Milan. Bad Bunny's residency is supercharging Puerto Rico's tourism With an estimated 600,000 attendees throughout the residency, the concert series is sparking what Glorianna Yamín, vice president of marketing at Discover Puerto Rico, called a "peak period for tourism." Halfway around the world, Hawaii's high levels of tourism are negatively impacting the islands. From overcrowded trails to traffic congestion, the Pacific islands have been actively seeking visitors who want to create a deeper connection with Hawaii. Puerto Rico, for its part, is paying attention. "It's definitely a change for the industry," Yamín told USA TODAY. "The entire tourism industry is getting ready." It's not just about the crowds. Discover Puerto Rico (DPR), the island's destination marketing organization, is using this moment to highlight the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism. Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico: Expect higher prices for flights, hotels this summer More: Bad Bunny fans won't want to leave Puerto Rico after visiting these 17 places "We are making sure that we're educating those visitors; first, so they behave as they should, but also so they're intrigued about our culture, our music, our history, our gastronomy … things Bad Bunny touches on in his album and already has momentum with," Yamín said. Contributing: Edward Segarra, Josh Rivera, USA TODAY
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Melania does President Trump's signature dance as first couple celebrates Fourth of July at White House
First Lady Melania Trump celebrated the Fourth of July, which coincided with the signing of President Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' by emulating her husband's signature dance on the balcony of the White House. Melania struck a pose as she shimmied alongside the president while winding down their Independence Day celebrations. The 'Trump Dance' consists of the commander in chief rhythmically punching the air while swaying his hips, oftentimes to songs featured at many of his campaign rallies like the 'Y.M.C.A.' 5 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance on the White House Balcony during the Fourth of July Celebration Fireworks in Washington, DC, on July 4, 2025. Getty Images 5 President Trump looks on at his wife, Melania, as she gestures to the crowd at the White House. AFP via Getty Images The president was showing off his moves Friday when his wife joined along as the two rocked the night away. Melania waved her open palms up and down as she bounced on her feet while Trump watched on adoringly. Trump celebrated America's 249th Independence Day by signing his sweeping 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' into law. 5 President Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump during the Fourth of July celebration in Washington, DC. REUTERS 5 A firework explodes behind the Washington Monument on July 4, 2025. AP 5 President Donald Trump dances on stage at the Salute to America Celebration at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on July 3, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Many MAGA fanatics have taken to using Trump's dance to ring in monumental celebrations, including his second-term victory in November as a flash mob overtook Staten Island. Athletes too, namely those with UFC and WWE, started to adopt the moves as a victory dance.
The Hill
4 hours ago
- The Hill
Todd Chrisley on 28-month jail stay: ‘They called me Teflon Todd'
Former reality star Todd Chrisley recently opened up on what was going through his mind during his 28-month jail stay. Speaking on his daughter Savannah Chrisley's 'Unlocked' podcast, Chrisley admitted he wasn't himself at all. 'I feel like I did a podcast for 28 months with all the people that were around me,' he said. 'They called me 'Teflon Todd.'' Todd and wife Julie Chrisley, who was alongside him for the interview, were both pardoned by President Trump back in May after being convicted on federal charges of tax evasion, bank and wire fraud, and conspiracy in June 2022. Savannah Chrisley had advocated for her parents' release while also publicly supporting Trump. In a press conference, she blamed the judge — who was appointed by former President Obama — for allowing what she called 'illegal' evidence. 'In my head, I was still free,' Chrisley acknowledged. 'I did not take up residence there. I was in prison; prison was not in me.' He added that during his time behind bars he prayed and read his Bible most of the time. In addition, Chrisley admitted he made friendships during his time to help him get through. The reality star was also in the same prison as Rick Singer, the mastermind behind the 2019 college admissions scandal. The Chrisleys were among a flurry of pardons issued by Trump. Both had been rejected by the typical lengthy pardon process that includes review from the Justice Department. Chrisley maintains that the trial and conviction were unfair and that he and his wife should never have been convicted. The Chrisleys are set to return to television on Lifetime soon, with the new program revolving around the family's challenge of carrying on their name and legacy on their own.
