Befitting his ambition and intelligence, Alexander Richardson has written a whopper of a new play, given a madcap, emotional, assured world premiere at Moline’s Black Box Theatre. “To Leer At Lear” – a comedic re-telling of Shakespeare’s immortal, iconic “King Lear,” and a play within a play – is the latest production of Richardson’s Barely […]
Girl power is the theme this summer at Countryside Community Theatre at North Scott High School’s Fine Arts Auditorium in Eldridge. The first production in the two-show season is the delightful, relentlessly entertaining and inspirational “Sister Act,” the popular 2009 Alan Menken musical based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Countryside has a […]
I’ve never been a big fan of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice fable, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which sold out its Sunday, June 8 performance at Music Guild, Moline. The Biblical tale (based on the Book of Genesis) — first set to music by a 20-year-old Lloyd Webber in 1968, in a school […]
Nearly 48 years after opening in downtown Rock Island, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is finally unveiling its first, dazzling production of the iconic classic musical, “Chicago.” It’s been an agonizingly long wait – the beloved theater and staggeringly popular Broadway show have been fated for each other, with both sprouting from strong roots in both […]
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 […]
