A powerhouse cast of Circa ’21 veterans and tremendous actors making their Circa debuts delivers a spectacularly moving, inspiring new production, with “Come From Away.” The 2017 Tony-winning musical is based on the true events of Sept. 11, 2001, reflecting the fear, chaos and boundless generosity of that day, when the good people of Gander, […]
There’s a good deal to admire in the current Playcrafters production of Agatha Christie’s exotic murder mystery, “Murder on the Nile.” Just don’t ask me to explain the sometimes confounding, labyrinthine plot. In the Playcrafters Barn Theatre synopsis on its website (printed programs were not available the opening weekend), it says: “Kay Ridgeway has led […]
If there was ever a time for a feel-good, warm-hearted musical in today’s deeply polarized, violent society, today would seem to be the time. As the classic 1965 Burt Bacharach-Hal David song dreams, “What The World Needs Now Is Love.” And that’s what the new show at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, 2017’s “Come From Away,” […]
Shortly before opening its newest show, the heartwarming musical “Come From Away,” Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse has announced its lineup for next season, its 49th, at 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island. It will kick off with the holiday favorite, “White Christmas,” last done in 2022, to run Nov. 5 to Dec. 28, 2025. In the […]
Summer is supposed to be relaxing for many high school students, but this one has been extra busy for Davenport Central senior Micah Roldan, as he prepares for the lead role of a lifetime. He is portraying the iconic Jean Valjean of the musical “Les Miserables,” the first time all Davenport high schools have collaborated […]
Many artists today use the trendy term “multi-hyphenate” – meaning they are triple threats or more, able to unleash many talents at once, like singing, dancing and acting. Shelley Cooper, associate professor of musical theatre at Augustana College, has long been a multi-hyphenate, with impressive experience as a singer, director, actress, playwright, choreographer, producer and […]
“Marjorie Prime,” a play by Jordan Harrison now running at Richmond Hill Players, is one of the most haunting and sad pieces of theater I’ve ever seen. In the not-too-distant future (starting in 2062 specifically), with artificial intelligence deeply embedded in our daily lives, 85-year-old Marjorie struggles with her disparate, fading memories. She lives with her […]
Walking into see the new production of Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s “The Diary of Anne Frank,” I knew I was in for a riveting, heart-rending drama that would not simply be a decades-old tragedy with no relevance to today. Seeing the Saturday, Aug. 2 performance — directed with precision, flair and profound humanity by Elle Winchester […]
This summer has been a busy, productive one for T Green and Calvin Vo. Not only have the Haus of Ruckus writing and performing partners been co-starring in the fabulous Countryside production of “Hairspray” (continuing this weekend), the talented, satirical duo penned a super silly, slapstick adaptation of an ancient Greek comedy for the Genesius […]
Let’s hope QC Music Guild and Countryside Community Theatre don’t get any federal funding, because it would be yanked after two of this summer’s most satisfying, proudly pro-DEI shows — Guild’s “The Prom,” and its spiritual parent, Countryside’s current musical “Hairspray.” Both boasting the obvious conclusion that diversity, equity and inclusion are societal strengths (and […]
