Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is pleased to announce auditions their holiday children’s musical, Jingle Arrgh The Way. This new musical is the sequel to the theatre’s highly successful 2015 production of How I Became A Pirate. Auditions will be held Saturday, October 29 at 9:00 AM at the theatre, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, Illinois. Those auditioning are asked to bring a résumé and current photo; prepare 16 bars of a traditional Broadway song; bring sheet music in the proper key; and be prepared to dance and read from the script, if asked to do so. An accompanist will be provided. Rehearsals... Read More

QC Theatre Workshop at 1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport, IA is home to some of the most brilliant actors in the Quad Cities. The set, always perfect for the compelling scripts chosen for their cozy stage and the people are kind and welcoming. This local theatre brings you into the story, no matter what story. They are incredibly real and their skills at shutting out the audience is incredible. Every play at this theatre is like being inside of the book itself. It is just amazing theatre and deeply satisfying. I had known ahead of time that their latest, “Buried Child,” would be a soul wrenching... Read More

Since 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) has been making theatre “For Kids, By Kids.”  Pegora the Witch is a musical that launches DJT’s 65th season and marks the 300th mainstage production. “Not many theatre companies can claim such a long history,” said Daniel Sheridan, Artistic Director.  “The only way organizations last this long is because they grow with the times and strive passionately to serve its core mission.  Ours is to impact youth by empowering them with the performing arts, onstage, backstage and in the audience.  We believe in kids and that what they learn here... Read More

I would like, if I may, to tell you of the play that is taking place in the District of Rock Island just a couple of doors down from Circa 21’s popular main theatre in their Speakeasy.  It is much smaller but not any less fun. There is a charming stage with a deep red curtain and bar equipped with nachos and plenty to drink, including a charming list of drinks named especially for the occasion. The event that night, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I ordered a Time warp and a prop bag for myself and my daughter. She came dressed as the spitting image of Magenta and everyone was staring at... Read More

Arriving as a prelude to Halloween, the QC Theatre Workshop’s latest production is an appropriately goosebump-inducing title for the season: Buried Child, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by author/actor Sam Shepard. An equal blend of chills, family squabbles, surrealism, and dark humor, this American classic will enjoy its first area presentation in more than 15 years, with two of its leading roles played by widely respected area actors and spouses Pat and Patti Flaherty. Buried Child will be presented at the QC Theatre Workshop (1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport, IA) October 14 through 29,... Read More

I thought of The Notebook, Away From Her, and Still Alice while watching Flowers for Algernon at Richmond Hill Theatre. Directed by Dana Moss-Peterson, this production evoked memories of those three movies, all Directed by Dana Moss-Peterson, this production evoked memories of those three movies, all about Alzheimer’s patients and their respective spouses making the slow goodbye. Jonathan Grafft plays Charlie Gordon, a mentally challenged man of about 42 years age. He gets bullied at his job, in a bakery kitchen. But the meanness of the remarks sails over his head. He takes night classes. His... Read More

This fall, in its musical smash Million Dollar Quartet, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is home to the songs of such rock ‘n’ roll icons as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. But if you’re looking for tunes performed by a completely different set of rock icons – those with names like Frank N. Furter, Dr. Scott, and Riff Raff – you can look right next door, where the Circa ’21 Speakeasy is hosting the musical-comedy cult classic THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW October 8 through 29th. Filled with outrageous humor, dynamic musical numbers, unconventional... Read More

Since I began reviewing the shows at the Establishment Theater, 220 19th St., Rock Island, I have laughed harder than I have laughed all year long. I love this place and I hope you all give it a looksee one of these weekends. You can catch PG rated Comedy Sportz starting at 7 p.m. and stick around for the R rated aftershow of the evening. The improvisational comedy never fails to impress the crowd as audience involvement is key to these shows. The actors are all very gifted with communication and have unstoppable wits about them. After the Comedy Sportz show for Sept. 17, I stuck around to laugh... Read More

The Establishment Theatre rests in the heart of the District of Rock Island just around the corner from Circa 21. Within it are your local improvisational comedy masters and the softest big pretzel you are going to find in the Q-C.  When you make it down for Comedy Sportz, be sure to stick around for the late shows. There are MANY of these. It just depends on which night you choose to come by that will decide your fate. These are geared toward adults, so the kids are more than welcome for Comedy Sportz shows, but need to be safely out of the building before the actors are virtually set free on... Read More

I really wanted to like Playcrafters’ “Deathtrap.” After all, it has a quality cast and crew, many of whom I know or have worked with in theater, so I know they’ve got the talent to pull it off. It’s largely a really fun script. Yeah, going in I really had high hopes for the show. I really did. You feeling the suspense? You’re wondering if I’m going to give it a good review or tear it apart, aren’t you? Good. Because that on-the-edge of your seat feeling is what makes Playcrafters’ “Deathtrap” such devilish fun. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, because watching... Read More