Congrats to the top five comics moving on in the Speakeasy’s comedy competition, sponsored by QuadCities.com! These five are the winners from this past Saturday – Michael Maxwell, Matthew Jacobsen, Beckett Kenny, Al Nimpson and Stevie Mo – making it through a round of 16.   The second prelim round is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Speakeasy, 1818 3rd Ave., Rock Island. The event will have comics coming from across the Midwest to compete!   For tickets and more information, call (309) 786-7733, ext. 2.  Read More

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse in downtown Rock Island is thrilled to announce local auditions for their upcoming productions of ANNIE and NEWSIES on August 11, 18 and 19th.  Those auditioning must be available for all rehearsals and performances as scheduled and must prepare a verse and chorus or 16 bars of a Broadway song. Music from the show is acceptable. They should bring sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided.  Young performers should dress comfortably (please no costumes, wigs or makeup for Annie) and provide a non-returnable photo, as well as a brief résumé.... Read More

What a brilliant programming decision by Denny Hitchcock and the Circa ’21 brass to bring in “Mamma Mia” at this point, right before the sequel is about to hit theaters and just as summer is reaching its peak, because “Mamma Mia” is an absolutely perfect summer show. It’s fun, it’s light, it’s fizzy and it’s goofily colorful. Based on and buttressed by a succession of songs by the Swedish supergroup ABBA, “Mamma Mia” tells the story of Sophie (Courtney Groves), a 20-year-old on the cusp of getting married, with one usual request couched in an unusual predicament – she wants... Read More

A beloved Broadway smash and five-time Tony Award nominee, and the show that resurrected an international wave of ABBA fever will make its area debut when Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse treats audiences to the singing, dancing, spirited fun of the iconic musical MAMMA MIA! This pop-tune-driven entertainment – one of the 10 longest-running productions in Great White Way history – will electrify crowds at the Rock Island dinner theater through September 15 and is being brought to life by a spectacular cast of Circa ’21 newcomers and venue favorites. MAMMA MIA! will be staged at Circa... Read More

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island is pleased to welcome back popular stand-up comedienne ETTA MAY in BOX WINE AND GAS STATION CHICKEN on Thursday, March 8.  “ETTA MAY has been coming to Circa ’21 for several years and plays to sold-out houses. Audiences just love her show,” said Brett Hitchcock, Circa ‘21 director of audience development.  “The audience can really relate to her hilarious material about family, children and marriage.” Doors on March 8th open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person in advance and $30 the... Read More

For its first family musical of the 2017-18 season, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse brings a beloved literary figure to life in the area debut of FANCY NANCY SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL, a holiday-themed follow-up to the sweet and hilarious Fancy Nancy: The Musical produced at the theatre in 2015. Based on the storybook by Jane O’Connor, and with its music and lyrics by Matthew Hardy and Randy Klein, this delightful adaptation is sure to thrill kids of all ages, and is being brought to life by a sensational cast of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present show-only... Read More

Even though summer is coming to an end, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is turning up the heat with its final presentation in the theatre’s 40th sensational season: Broadway’s sizzling Johnny Cash salute RING OF FIRE, running through Nov. 4. This thrilling musical celebration of The Man in Black was a sold-out smash for the Rock Island venue during its previous engagement in 2009, and now is being staged in a glorious new production boasting dozens of your favorite Cash songs, all brought to life by a superb cast of professional talents. RING OF FIRE will be staged at Circa ’21... Read More

The Speakeasy in downtown Rock Island is excited to welcome back Bottoms Up Burlesque to the stage this weekend with two all new shows!  On Friday night the members of the recently completed Bottoms Up school of Burlesque will be showcasing what they have learned in their very own show!  On Saturday, the show cast returns with all the performers you love in a show like never before – Burlesque Roulette!  The performers won’t have idea what number they will be performing to until the show emcee spins the wheel to determine their song.  “We are really excited about these two shows” said... Read More

A 40th anniversary may be known as the “Ruby Anniversary,” but in the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse’s 40th-anniversary celebration NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS, the gifts being shared are songs, dances, comedy, and charm, all courtesy of the theatre’s performing wait staff The Bootleggers. Running every Thursday evening in August, this all-new musical revue will showcase highlights and memories from four decades of professional entertainment at the Rock Island theatre, and also showcase its cast’s talents through performances from The King & I, Grease, Cats, Fiddler... Read More

Get ready to rock your way down to heartbreak hotel with Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse. The Rock Island theater is pleased to present the critically acclaimed HEARTBREAK HOTEL – A SALUTE TO YOUNG ELVIS starring Circa ’21 audience favorite, Robert Shaw and the Lonely Street Band for one show on July 12th. Doors open at 6:00 with show beginning at 7:15. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 the day of the show and may be purchased at the Circa ’21 ticket office located at 1828 3rd Avenue Rock Island or by calling 309-786-7733, Ext. 2.  This is a show-only performance, however the theatre... Read More