I have been on vacation since Feb. 10 — no, I do NOT have a job with that generous paid time off. That blessed respite and escape from the real world comes in “Escape To Margaritaville,” the new QC Music Guild show for which I am assistant music director and playing keyboard (rehearsals began that […]
Elvis Presley has been dead now longer than he was alive, which is hard to believe. Nearly 48 years after the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s passing at 42, his revolutionary career has again been brought to blazing, passionate life in the area debut of the tribute jukebox musical, “Heartbreak Hotel” at Rock Island’s Circa […]
The Bikinis is running through Aug. 24 at Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island. For showtimes, tickets and more info, call (309) 786-7733, ext. 2 or see www.circa21.com Coming on the heels of “Jersey Boys,” Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse has unfolded the beach towel for another fun bit of nostalgia, this time featuring […]
With the show nominated for three Tony Awards including Best Musical and described by Broadway World as “a twinkling Christmas delight,” Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse will bring loads of holiday cheer to area audiences in the yuletide treat A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL. Running through December 30, this sensational opener to the dinner theatre’s 2023-24 […]
I didn’t know much and didn’t really know what to expect going into Circa ’21’s latest show, the political comedy, “The Outsider.” The cast looked good, with Brad Hauskins, Bobby Becher, and a few others I enjoy. And director Dennis Hitchcock has helmed some great shows in the past. But I was unfamiliar with the […]
I’ve always had kind of a mixed relationship with the music of Jimmy Buffett. I’ve seen him in concert a couple of times because I have friends who are Parrotheads and absolutely love him, and after seeing him once, I found his show really entertaining so I’ve gone along with them subsequent times to gigs […]
I laughed a lot during the wonderfully cast “Grumpy Old Men,” running through May 6 at Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, and I would bet you will too. Much like the movie it’s based upon, its charm is heavily dependent upon its cast. And much like the film starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon […]
If you love the music of Queen (as I do), and you love creative and original visual spectacles on stage (I do), and you love so-dumb-it’s-funny humor (ditto), then you’ll love “We Will Rock You,” the Queen jukebox musical playing at Rock Island’s Circa ’21 through March 11. (Call (309) 786-7733, ext. 2 for tickets […]
If you’re looking for a delightful holiday treat of a show this season, treat yourself to Circa ’21’s “White Christmas.” The Rock Island dinner theater’s latest is a warm, inviting holiday classic with fantastic wardrobe, wonderful choreography, and a big hearted, fun cast of characters reminiscent of a Bing Crosby/Bob Hope vintage tale. There’s a […]
Casting is critical when a show has a weak script, and that’s the case in Circa ’21’s latest show, “Clue,” which is thoroughly entertaining due to its cast elevating material that could’ve clunked in other hands. Basing an entire musical on a board game was a risky proposition from the start (pun intended), and the […]
