Black Hawk College and The Mockingbird are proud to announce a new, ongoing partnership dedicated to producing professional-caliber theatre that is accessible, educational and deeply connected to the community. This collaboration brings together Black Hawk College’s commitment to student opportunity and learning with The Mockingbird’s mission to create bold, meaningful storytelling rooted in both classic […]
When you have intellectual property as famous and beloved as “The Wizard of Oz,” it can be a heavy lift in more ways than one to live up to tremendous audience expectations. But a flawless new production at Circa ’21 in Rock Island more than rises to the challenge – thoroughly entertaining, satisfying and makes […]
Last year’s paranormal investigation at the theatre was so popular, we’re doing it again this year! QC Haunts & History presents the 2026 ghost investigation of Playcrafters Barn Theatre in Moline, Illinois at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18. What’s even better is that it’s a fundraiser for the theatre! Playcrafters’ troops have been entertaining and […]
Over 400 years ago, it was standard practice in William Shakespeare’s time for boys and men to play all the roles (female and male) in his plays. For the first time in the 70-year-history of Genesius Guild, the current production puts that old tradition on stage, for one of the Bard’s most famous female roles, in […]
Last month, I had an old friend from my Dispatch/Argus days email me a review I did in 2018 of Quad City Music Guild’s “Shrek the Musical,” and its headline could easily apply to the current Guild show, “The SpongeBob Musical”: “Colorful, entertaining ‘Shrek’ is a blast and a lesson.” Both based on iconic animated […]
Six days after America celebrated the 250th anniversary of its founding on July 4, The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline honored the country again in a deeply meaningful way again, opening the area premiere of “Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk,” by Catherine Bush. In its 10th season, the BBT again presents a Quad Cities […]
Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse first opened its doors (with the musical “I Do, I Do”) in June 1977, transforming the historic former Fort Armstrong Theatre (which dates from 1921) at 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island. So it will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027, and its next season begins with a holiday classic this fall. […]
The Putnam’s Giant Screen Theater (1717 W. 12th St., Davenport) has two big movie events coming up in the next couple months. First, on Thursday, July 16 at 6 p.m., the Putnam will bring the Disney Plus film version of the Broadway revolutionary phenomenon, “Hamilton,” with tickets costing $10 for adults and $9 for youth, […]
One of the most famous musical films of all time returns to its stage adaptation at Circa ’21 in Rock Island, as “The Wizard of Oz” comes to life, opening this weekend. Running through Sept. 5, this glorious live version (with pre-recorded tracks) of L. Frank Baum’s beloved storybook tale (first published in 1900 and […]
The Genesius Guild’s 70th anniversary season continues with two weekends of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Performances are July 11, 12, 18, and 19 and start at 7:00 PM. All shows are staged in Lincoln Park, Rock Island, and admission is free. The Taming of the Shrew is a comedy revolving around the courtship of Petruchio and Katarina, […]
