An exhibit opening at the ALPLM and a production of 'The Christians' take center stage

A major new exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum exploring the idea of "home" and the opening of a play continuing the celebration of the Springfield Theatre Centre's 75th anniversary highlight weekend events in Springfield.

Just for laughs, comedian Andy Beningo stops by Donnie B's Comedy Club Friday and Saturday.

Make sure to check with venues for any cancellations or changes.

'Here I Have Lived'

A phrase from Abraham Lincoln's "affectionate farewell" to Springfield on his way to the White House in 1861 lends its name to an exhibit celebrating the many different ways Illinoisans have made this state their home over the centuries.

“Here I Have Lived: Home in Illinois” opens at the ALPLM on Thursday. Visitors can explore the exhibit in the museum’s Illinois Gallery with regular museum admission.

The stories are told through photographs and rare artifacts. Visitors will see a photo locket carried by Mary Todd Lincoln, a first edition of Black Hawk’s autobiography and Ronald Reagan’s letterman sweater from Eureka College. There's also a sculpture that was displayed in the Lincolns' home on Eighth Street and a table designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Among the Springfield people featured in the exhibit are socialite and philanthropist Susan Lawrence Dana and attorney Charles Gibbs, whose office was at the starting point of the 1908 attacks on Springfield’s Black residents.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. "Here I Have Lived" runs through Jan. 21.

'The Christians'

"The Christians," from Obie Award-winning playwright Lucas Hnath, comes to the Springfield Theatre Centre at the Hoogland Center for the Arts (Peggy Ryder Theatre) beginning Friday and running through April 2.

The story centers around Pastor Paul, who had modest beginnings in his storefront church but now presides over a megachurch with thousands of followers and a brand-new building with a coffee shop in the lobby and a baptismal font the size of a swimming pool.

A soon-to-be-preached sermon, however, is about to rock the church's congregants and Pastor Paul's family, to the core.

"The Christians" is directed by Phil Funkenbusch and features John D. Poling as Pastor Paul; Carlyn Shank as Elizabeth; Travis Wiggins as Joshua; Patrick Lyons as Elder Jay and Elisa Marti as Jenny.

Performances on Fridays and Saturdays are at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Visit the HCFTA website for more details and ticket information.

Andy Beningo

"Everyman" comedian Andy Beningo returns to Donnie B's Comedy Club for two shows Friday and Saturday.

Beningo frequently tours with Frank Caliendo. His second comedy album is "Quarantine Comedy Mix Tape" and his "Adorable Tough Guy" special is on the VidAngel App.

Friday's show is at 8 p.m. while Saturday's show begins at 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Tickets are available at Donnie B's website.

Lunafest

Lunafest, a film festival by women filmmakers about women, comes to Brookens Auditorium at the University of Illinois Springfield at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Featured as part of the film festival is Samantha Sanders' 15-minute short "Swimming Through," about a group of women who form a fast friendship around their daily ritual of swimming at sunrise in frigid Lake Michigan.

Lunafest features seven films in all.

The viewing age for the film festival is 13 and above. It is free to students with an ID and $35 for the general public. For more information, call 217-206-6073.

Putting on 'The Ritz'

The LGBTQ community and its allies and supporters gather Saturday for the Coalition of Rainbow Alliances' "The Ritz," an evening of food, dancing and camaraderie.

The "casually elegant" affair, now in its seventh year, is also a celebration of the progress made by the LGBTQ community during the past year.

The evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3000 South Dirksen Parkway, gets under way at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $60 and are available at CORAL's website.

Mamma Mia! at SHG

The musical "Mamma Mia!" continues its run this weekend at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School's Dominican Hall Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Washington St.

The show is co-directed by Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich with vocal direction by Damien Kaplan.

Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12-$15 and available by calling 217-787-1595 or by visiting the SHG ticket site.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Here are things to do this weekend in and around Springfield