The best performing arts not only offer us incandescent talent from those who share their dazzling gifts with us, but a welcome, necessary, tidy distraction from the chaos, craziness and cruelties of the real world. When you step into the magical fairy-tale world of the stunning new production of Spotlight Theatre’s “Cinderella,” the contrast could […]
Long before the acclaimed black comedy-drama “Succession” ruled prestige TV (on HBO 2018-23), two other intense royal power struggles ruled stages and screens – Shakespeare’s “King Lear” (1606) and James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” (1966). Logan Roy (the scarily intimidating Brian Cox) of “Succession” wasn’t an actual king, but a media king, utterly ruthless, […]
The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline is next presenting the classic play “The Lion in Winter,” running Nov. 21 to Dec. 6. Intrigue, power, backstabbing. Those are just a few plot points in the 12th-century story, in the royal play by James Goldman, depicting the personal and political conflicts of Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor […]
Twenty-one years after it was last done at Quad City Music Guild (as well as 11 years after Circa ’21 and four years after Spotlight Theatre), the treasured warhorse, “The Sound of Music” makes a triumphant return to the Prospect Park stage in Moline. Performed with immense pride, care, compassion and full-throated enthusiasm by a […]
Classic entertainment is classic for a reason, and freshly tugs at our heartstrings every time, even though we may know every musical note, or spoken line. This time-tested formula is not guaranteed, for nostalgia only works when you have performers who have the professionalism, poise and polish to turn familiar pieces (both timeless and unforgettable) […]
As she was in a stacked musical feast last summer at Quad City Music Guild, Sarah Lounsberry of Rock Island takes on an iconic role, surrounded by another dazzling constellation of other stars in a new production of “The Sound of Music.” Opening Nov. 14 at the Prospect Park Theater, 1584 34th Avenue, Moline, the […]
Richmond Hill Players conclude their 2025 season with “A Sherlock Carol,” a holiday comedy by Mark Shanahan. The show will be presented Thursdays through Sundays, Nov. 13-23 at the Barn Theatre in Geneseo. The play (directed by Joe DePauw, Geneseo) is described in a press release as “a festive literary mash-up with surprises around every corner.” Moriarity […]
Claire McPartland has never done a show at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island, but she feels like she’s home. Co-starring as Betty Haynes in the new production of “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” the Minneapolis native has fond memories of spending the holidays at the home of her maternal grandparents, Chuck and JoAnn Harrington of […]
A young Davenport singer-songwriter has already pursued her dreams in Los Angeles and Nashville, and she hasn’t even finished high school yet. Cameryn Danielle Bergthold is a 17-year-old actress, singer, and songwriter (who performs as Cameryn Danielle). She began performing at the age of five in a production of “Annie Jr.” at Center for Living […]
“The show must go on” has never been more urgent than during this haunted month of October, when two Moline theaters were forced to replace female leads just days before opening night, due to health issues. First, at the start of the month, it was Sara Wegener, who stunningly stepped into the role of Elizabeth […]
