Mark McGinn’s love of the theater is literally in his blood. His father Jack (who died in 2000) started performing at Quad City Music Guild in Moline within two years of its founding in 1949, and was in dozens of shows. Mark, a 67-year-old Bettendorf resident, started with Guild at Prospect Park in 1972, playing clarinet for “Fiddler on the Roof,” and his first stage role was in 1976’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” (as one of the apostles). McGinn has since been involved in more than 70 other shows (including last summer as John Wilkes Booth in Black Box’s “Assassins” in Moline), mostly... Read More

What a difference a year makes… On June 11, 2019, I was lucky enough to be among the 11,000 or so packed into Moline’s TaxSlayer Center (11th row center on the floor) to witness the first (and possibly last) performance of Sir Paul McCartney and his band in the Quad-Cities. It was an electrifying, unforgettable night – not least of which was due to the jaw-dropping lighting and multimedia displays, including a breathtaking pyrotechnic extravaganza during “Live and Let Die.” Part of what made it so thrilling was simply being in “the room where it happened,” celebrating a musical legend... Read More

Moline’s Spotlight Theatre is continuing their online series of interviews with interesting theatrical artists with a conversation with Noah Brody at 2 p.m. Friday on the Spotlight Facebook page. CST Producing Director Brent Tubbs sits down (virtually) with Noah Brody, an actor, director, writer and teacher. He is a co-artistic director and head of producing for Fiasco Theater in New York City. Noah has co-directed Fiasco’s productions of Into the Woods, Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night and Cymbeline, which received the 2012 Off Broadway Award for best revival. He also won the 2019... Read More

Producing Director Brent Tubbs sits down (virtually) with Josh Feemster for Spotlight Live Q&A this Friday May 1 at 3 p.m. Josh is the Associate Director of Access Hollywood and Access Daily at NBC. Josh has done everything from editing, live script writing, and directing with Access Hollywood. Join The Spotlight Theatre live on their Facebook page to ask Josh questions!   For more fun things to do in the Quad Cities this week, check out the latest issue of FUN10QC.  Read More

Jason Platt is a man who wears many hats, and he talked about those various artistic chapeaus as well as his latest book about a certain hat, “Operation Hat Heist,” with Spotlight Theater’s Brent Tubbs for Spotlight Live Q&A this past Monday, Apr 27. Jason, a middle grade graphic novelist, is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (in Savannah GA). He was accepted into the National Cartoonists Society in May 2015, and his first graphic novel, Middle School Misadventures, made national recommendations. His second novel, Middle School Misadventures: Operation Hat... Read More

Producing Director Brent Tubbs sits down (virtually) with Artist and Author Jason Platt for Spotlight Live Q&A this Monday Apr 27 at 1 p.m. Jason, a middle grade graphic novelist, is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (in Savannah GA). He was accepted into the National Cartoonists Society in May 2015, and his first graphic novel, Middle School Misadventures, made national recommendations. His second novel, Middle School Misadventures: Operation Hat Heist! was just released on April 21st. He and his family live in Davenport with their cat who lets them live with her. Join The... Read More

As many musical artists and other performers are sharing their talents online during the coronavirus crisis, some Q-C music and theater groups are also finding new ways to be creative. The Spotlight Theatre in Moline was to open its latest musical, “Oliver,” last weekend. But during the closing, co-owners Brent and Sara Tubbs have used some of the time to record video interviews with friends and colleagues who’ve gone onto big things. Since late March, the husband-and-wife team have individually done six Facebook Live talks (inviting visitors to post questions), including actors who have... Read More

Spotlight Theatre is once again putting the spotlight on a big name in their virtual online chats! Friday April 10th, at noon, Spotlight Artistic Director Sara Tubbs sits down (virtually) with Dashaun Young live on facebook to take your questions. Dashaun’s credits include “Simba” in The Lion King (Broadway, West End, Tour, Vegas), Hairspray (1st National Tour), Legends (NY Premiere), Sex and The City 2 (Film and Soundtrack). Workshops/Readings: Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Strange Loop, Triassic Parq, The Scottsboro Boys, and Emerald Man. Join Spotlight live to ask questions!  Read More

Spotlight Theater is putting the spotlight on actor/comedian Hal Lublin for an online chat 1:30 p.m. Friday. Producing Director Brent Tubbs sits down (on the internet) with Actor/ Comedian Hal Lublin for an hour-long conversation. One of the hosts of “Good Morning Night Vale”, “We Got This with Mark and Hal” and “Tights and Fights” on the Maximum Fun Network, Hal Lublin is an accomplished actor and improviser. Best known for his work as one of the core WorkJuice players in “The Thrilling Adventure Hour” and Steve Carlsberg on “Welcome to Night... Read More

The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline presents the Midwest premiere of “I Love You, Because,” a contemporary musical version of Jane Austin’s novel “Pride and Prejudice.” The production features lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, and music by Joshua Salzman. The Black Box cast include Zach Hendershott, Sara Tubbs, David Miller, Leslie Munson, Brant Peitersen, and Shana Kulhavy.  The creative team consists of Director: David Miller, Set Designers: David Miller, Assistant Director/Set Design/Choreographer: Becca Johnson, Music Director: Amy Trimble, Assistant Music Director/Accompanist: Mason... Read More