It’s not often I say a performer steals a show in an ensemble piece, but I feel confident in saying that Tom Walljasper definitely steals the show in “Shear Madness.” Walljasper is so flamboyant and over-the-top funny, grabbing every scene he’s in with some brazen move or line, that it’s impossible to ignore him, not that you’d want to. “Shear” is a very funny, entertaining show. It was on the night I saw it. On the night you see it, it might be even funnier. I say that because it changes from night to night. Not just in the nuances, but in the big strokes. “Shear” is a malleable... Read More

There’s a lot happening at Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Theater over the next few months! The venerable institution is bringing in a huge array of shows, showcases and concerts for a variety of audiences. Here’s the rundown: Mainstage Shows: SHEAR MADNESS – Through April 30: Audiences are loving this absolutely hilarious comedy which is the longest running comedy in U.S. history. SISTER ACT (Quad City Premiere) May 4 – July 2: The hit 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg comes to the Circa ’21 stage. MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL – July 6 – August 27: A musical celebration... Read More

One of the best parts about watching a bad movie is making snide, snarky comments about how awful it is. It’s even better when you’re with hilarious friends making those comments. The experience was successfully replicated and popularized by the TV show “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” and now local comedian and actor Anthony Natarelli has replicated it on the stage with his “Tony Goes To The Movies” gig, which returns this weekend for the fourth time to its lovely home at Rock Island’s District Theater, which looks amazingly like the old Rock Island Argus building, right down to the... Read More

Moline Centre is always hopping with activity, and this month is no different. The downtown Moline area is jumping with events for St. Patrick’s Day, the spring awakening, benefits for great causes and more. Here are some of the things to keep your eye on: Looking for a great way to help kids in need?  The Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities is in the midst of their Donate a Dollar campaign.  Stop in to Bierstube, BRIX, Barrel House, Lagomarcino’s and Las Regias during the month of March, shell out a dollar and you will have helped pay for therapy services that local families... Read More

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and we’re hoping you’re getting your Irish on today and throughout this week as festivities o’ the green have been rolling last weekend through this coming weekend. However, that’s no surprise, and that pot of gold of events at the Quad-Cities end of the rainbow has been noticed on a national level. This week, SafeCo Insurance and HomeInsurance.com analytics released a list of the the top 15 U.S. cities with the highest percentages of Irish descendants to join in their St. Patrick’s Day parades – and the Quad-Cities comes in at number 14. Number one? Butte-Silver... Read More

It’s a gloomy Monday morning in winter in a coffee shop filled with sleepy drones and the only full-time magician in the Quad-Cities is performing an amazing trick – he’s making my case of the Mondays disappear. And all without two dozen pieces of flair, shrimp poppers, pizza shooters or extreme fajitas! That’s because David Casas is more than a magician, he’s a magical performer. He’s got a charm, style and panache that makes him compelling to watch on- and off-stage when he’s talking about his craft. Casas, 36, mixes self-deprecating humor and a down-to-earth persona with quicksilver... Read More

As the weather becomes brighter and the days become longer, the blooms break through the ground, a familiar sound of school bells grows silent as children across the area get revved up for spring break — and parents are suddenly hit with the thought of what they’re going to do with those kiddies during that time off. However, parents need not get too worried, as the Bettendorf Family Museum is ready with a full slate of activities to keep the kiddies happy, thinking and burning off some of that excess energy. All events and performances are included with admission or membership! Sponsored... Read More

Circa ’21 is hoping to cut up audiences in their latest show, “Shear Madness.” The dinner playhouse is presenting the local debut of the longest running comedy in U.S. history. Running through April 30, this slapstick whodunit has played for over 30 consecutive years in Boston and nearly as long at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center for the Arts, and Rock Island’s beloved dinner theatre is proud to host both the show and its cast of sterling professional talents. “Shear” will be performed at Circa ’21 on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays evenings at 7:45 p.m., Sundays at... Read More

There’s something fun, relaxed, goofy and familiar about the Quad Cities Lip Sync battles that’s utterly charming, which is why, if you haven’t done so already, you really should check one of them out. This weekend, the regular gigs at the Rock Island Speakeasy turn their spotlight on songs from Disney, so if you’re a fan of the house of the mouse and its signature showtunes, you can get on board Saturday night. But if not, make sure you make time at some point in the future to include these unique events on your planner. I checked out the last Lip Sync event the first week in February... Read More

Davenport’s QC Theatre Workshop is serving up a “big meal” for its first gig of 2016. The group is presenting the local premiere of Dan LeFranc’s acclaimed comedy/drama “The Big Meal,” with shows running at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19, and 3 p.m. March 6, 13 and 20. Doors open a half hour before each performance, and due to the play’s adult themes and language, parental guidance is recommended. An epic presentation following the personal journeys of four generations of family members, LeFranc’s 2011 work was called “sharp and stunning,... Read More