418 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
A historic arts & entertainment venue in downtown Carbondale, Illinois
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FILMS
LIVE EVENTS | THEATER | COMEDY
LIVE EVENTS | THEATER | COMEDY
LIVE EVENTS | THEATER | COMEDY
LIVE EVENTS | THEATER | COMEDY
LIVE EVENTS | THEATER | COMEDY
LIVE MUSIC
LIVE EVENTS | THEATER | COMEDY
LIVE MUSIC
Cinema at The Varsity - The Searchers (1956)
Friday, July 10, 7 PM Showtime
Cinema at The Varsity kicks off our Summer Film Series 2026 with our first classic Western to be featured in our line-ups - from 1956, The Searchers.
John Wayne stars as an American Civil War veteran who embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece (Natalie Wood) after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm.
Starring: John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Natalie Wood, Ward Bond
Directed by John Ford
Runtime:119 minutes
Rated: Unrated/TV-PG
The Jackson County Stage Company Presents
Peter and the Starcatcher
Play By: Rick Elice Music By: Wayne Barker
Directed by: Brandyn McGhee
A whimsical prequel to Peter Pan that follows a nameless orphan boy and his journey to becoming Peter. When he boards a ship carrying a magical substance called star stuff, he meets Molly, a brave Starcatcher apprentice. Together, they battle pirates, led by the comically villainous Black Stache, and discover friendship, courage, and the power of imagination.
July 10-12 & 16-19, 2026
For more information about The Stage Company and this production, click below.
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Varsity Improv : Under Maintenance
Come out for the home team! Saturday July 11
Members of The Varsity’s house improv group will write, produce, and improvise a show for their latest residence appearance at the downtown Carbondale venue.
The hour-long show will be hosted by Under Maintenance, our local ensemble led by Macklen Makhloghi, which blends veteran performers with emerging talent, united by a shared passion for improv.
Performances feature a dynamic mix of formats, including fast-paced improv games, long-form storytelling, sketch comedy, and audience interaction, ensuring that each and every show is unique. And, because the group takes its inspiration directly from the audience, every show is wildly different. Come be a part of the experience.
Tickets for the show are $8 and are available in advance here on Eventbrite and at the door on the night of the show. Varsity Bar and doors at 7, show at 8.
Cinema at The Varsity - Seconds (1966)
Friday, July 17, 7 PM Showtime
Our Summer Film Series 2026 continues with Rock Hudson in one of his most notable roles under the direction of John Frankenheimer - from 1966, Seconds.
John Wayne stars Antiochus Wilson, an unhappy middle-aged banker, who agrees to a procedure that will fake his death and give him a completely new look and identity; one that comes with its own price.
Starring: Rock Hudson, Salome Jens, John Randolph, Will Geer, Jeff Corey
Directed by John Frankenheimer
Runtime:106 minutes
Rated: R
Cinema at The Varsity - All The President's Men (1976)
Friday, July 24, 7 PM Showtime
Cinema at The Varsity Summer Film Series 2026 continues with Academy Award winners Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman starring in this true story as Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, whose investigation of a seemingly minor hotel room break-in uncovers the greatest political scandal in United States history and leads to the downfall of President Richard Nixon.
A film nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning four:
- Actor in a Supporting Role - Jason Robards
- Art Direction - Art Direction: George Jenkins; Set Decoration: George Gaines
- Sound - Arthur Piantadosi, Les Fresholtz, Dick Alexander, Jim Webb
- Writing (Screenplay — based on material from another medium) — William Goldman.
-- from 1976, All The President's Men.
Starring: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jason Robards, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam
Directed by Alan J. Pakula
Runtime:138 minutes
Rated: PG
Join Us
Down Home Cookin'
The McDaniel Band returns to the Varsity for another performance on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. in the Balcony. The band will be joined by Loose Gravel and the Snowbird Band with Stumpy Joe on bass.