An adapted version of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure is currently running to open Genesius Guild’s 2021 season with the next performances at 7 p.m. on June 26 and 27. All performances are held at the Don Wooten Stage in Lincoln Park, 1120 40th St., Rock Island, and admission is free. Opening weekend marks the Genesius Guild’s return to live theater after cancelling the 2020 season. Sometimes known as one of Shakespeare’s problem plays – shows that are not explicitly comedies or tragedies – Measure for Measure is a “fascinating exploration of how power can corrupt, with comedic... Read More

Before the remarkable run of “Red” – the Mississippi Bend Players production that concluded earlier today, lead actor Mike Schulz reflected on getting to play the real-life abstract-expressionist artist Mark Rothko. Twice. Now 53, the thoughtful, passionate and intense Schulz reflected on his past nine years living with the play – done first with a tiny group at QC Theatre Workshop, running over three weekends, and recently with a crew of at least a dozen at MBP, with just four performances over one weekend. “John Logan’s script is so amazing, and so engaging and audience-friendly,... Read More

Imagine me sitting in a car like Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood giving finger guns to Mike Schulz and saying, “You’re Mike F-ing Schulz! Don’t you forget it.” He deserves this level of hype, this level of praise, this level of Lets-Put-An-Actor-On-An-Unecessary- Pedastal-ness for Mississippi Bend Players’ new “Red.” All. Of . It. Schulz is pretending at new and frightening heights giving a performance that I found myself simultaneously getting lost in AND studying so I could get bring even a small percentage of this bloke’s grace, believability and sheer... Read More

Words and art are my business – as tools, objects of affection, contemplation and worship, ways to make sense and meaning of life – as they are for “Red,” the brilliant, caustic, literate John Logan play given a fantastic, thrilling new production by Mississippi Bend Players at Augustana College. Over an emotional 90-minute rollercoaster — in an action-packed, dialogue-dense one act, first-class director Cait Bodenbender and peerless actors Mike Schulz and Tristan Odenkirk grab your attention and never let go. It’s as riveting, passionate, thought-provoking – and deeply committed... Read More

Artists in Conversation is a weekly column running on QuadCities.com. It features a conversation with a local creator or creators going into their artistic process, projects and more. Get to know your local arts scene and local creators better on QuadCities.com with Artists In Conversation! If you’re a local creator and would like to be featured, please email us at Sean@QuadCities.com or Tristan@QuadCities.com! This week’s artist is KIRA RANGEL, currently featured in Beehive and Elephant & Piggie and the up-coming The Mountaintop, The Rocky Horror Show You’re new to Quad City audiences.... Read More

An adapted version of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure will open the Genesius Guild’s 2021 season with performances at 7 p.m. on June 19, 20, 26, and 27. All performances are held at the Don Wooten Stage in Lincoln Park, 1120 40th St., Rock Island, and admission is free. Opening weekend marks the Genesius Guild’s return to live theater after cancelling the 2020 season. Sometimes known as one of Shakespeare’s problem plays – shows that are not explicitly comedies or tragedies – Measure for Measure is a “fascinating exploration of how power can corrupt, with comedic overtones,”... Read More

At long last – live, improvised, inappropriate acoustic-rock comedy is back! June 26 at 7:30 pm join the comedic musical stylings of Bandwagon. Be part of the meteoric rise of a totally made-up rock band with Bandwagon, a comedy show where you name the band, you pick the songs, and we rock your socks. Featuring some of your favorite Quad Cities comedy talents, Bandwagon is always a new concert experience with an evening of improv comedy scenes, musical mischief, and audience interactivity in downtown Moline’s Black Box Theatre, 1623 5th Avenue. Masks must be worn by anyone not inoculated against... Read More

Nearly nine years after he first played 20th-century artist Mark Rothko, to launch the QC Theatre Workshop, Mike Schulz returns this week to launch the new season of Mississippi Bend Players, acting opposite a fellow MBP veteran in the one-act “Red” by John Logan. In the 2010 Tony winner for Best Play, master abstract expressionist Rothko (1903-1970) has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art, a series of murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons restaurant in the late ‘50s. In the two fascinating years that follow, Rothko works feverishly with his young assistant,... Read More

The Mockingbird On Main will be holding an audition for a new adaption of Henrik Ibsen’s Enemy of the People by Quad City playwright Alexander Richardson on Thursday, June 24 at 7pm. This powerful drama explores the impact of pollution in a small town and the consequences of uncovering the truth. Follow the story of one man’s brave struggle to do the right thing in the face of extreme scrutiny and social intolerance. In Richardson’s modern-day reimagining of the classic Ibsen tale, it is revealed that the true corruption in the town and the entire country is that all the power lies with... Read More

It’s last call to see a trio of local theater shows! So if you’ve been meaning to check them out, today is your last chance! Last Chance To See ‘Charlie Brown’ At Spotlight The last remaining performance of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” will be 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13! Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door), available at 309-912-7647 or www.thespotlighttheatreqc.com. Last Call For ‘Spamalot’ It’s last call also for Music Guild’s “Spamalot!” Quad-City Music Guild’s first complete musical in a year and a half, “Monty... Read More