For its first family musical of the 2016-17 season, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse presents the area debut of JINGLE ARRGH THE WAY: A Christmas Pirate Adventure, a holiday-themed follow-up to the wacky adventure How I Became a Pirate produced at the theatre in 2013 and 2015. Based on the story by author Melinda Long, and with book, music, and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, this delightful adaptation is sure to delight children of all ages, and is being brought to life by a sensational cast of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present show-only performances of JINGLE ARRGH... Read More

For the first presentation in the theatre’s 40th season of live entertainment,  Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse will be the area’s go-to destination for holiday music, laughs, and warmth in its production of “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Opening this weekend and running through December 29, this joyous and funny musical revue last thrilled audiences in 2009, and those at the Rock Island dinner theatre are excited to have it back in a brand-new staging filled with merriment, wonder, and surprises for the whole family. “Holly Jolly Christmas” will be performed at Circa ’21... Read More

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is pleased to announce auditions their holiday children’s musical, Jingle Arrgh The Way. This new musical is the sequel to the theatre’s highly successful 2015 production of How I Became A Pirate. Auditions will be held Saturday, October 29 at 9:00 AM at the theatre, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, Illinois. Those auditioning are asked to bring a résumé and current photo; prepare 16 bars of a traditional Broadway song; bring sheet music in the proper key; and be prepared to dance and read from the script, if asked to do so. An accompanist will be provided. Rehearsals... Read More

I would like, if I may, to tell you of the play that is taking place in the District of Rock Island just a couple of doors down from Circa 21’s popular main theatre in their Speakeasy.  It is much smaller but not any less fun. There is a charming stage with a deep red curtain and bar equipped with nachos and plenty to drink, including a charming list of drinks named especially for the occasion. The event that night, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I ordered a Time warp and a prop bag for myself and my daughter. She came dressed as the spitting image of Magenta and everyone was staring at... Read More

This fall, in its musical smash Million Dollar Quartet, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is home to the songs of such rock ‘n’ roll icons as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. But if you’re looking for tunes performed by a completely different set of rock icons – those with names like Frank N. Furter, Dr. Scott, and Riff Raff – you can look right next door, where the Circa ’21 Speakeasy is hosting the musical-comedy cult classic THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW October 8 through 29th. Filled with outrageous humor, dynamic musical numbers, unconventional... Read More

There’s something fun, relaxed, goofy and familiar about the Quad Cities Lip Sync battles that’s utterly charming, which is why, if you haven’t done so already, you really should check one of them out. This weekend, the regular gigs at the Rock Island Speakeasy return, and if you’re looking for something fun and light to do, make the trip. I checked out the last Lip Sync event and not only wasn’t disappointed, but was, honestly, surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The show, for sake of familiarity and comparison, posits itself as similar gigs to those on Spike TV and “The Tonight Show... Read More

Circa ‘21’s “Million Dollar Quartet” is a million dollar show. It’s expertly presented, from the set to the costumes to the casting to the sound, capturing a fascinating and colorful moment in time in the history of rock ‘n’ roll and doing so with such great energy and reverence that it earned a well-deserved standing ovation at its opening show. “Million Dollar” is inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for the first and only time on Dec. 4, 1956. On that date,... Read More

For the final production in its 39th season, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse is rolling out the Tony Award-winning Broadway smash “Million Dollar Quartet,” running this weekend through November 5. A celebration of four of history’s most legendary recording artists  – Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins – this long-requested title is finally making its area debut at the Rock Island  dinner theatre, and will be brought to life by a marvelous cast of professional talents. “Million” will be performed at Circa ’21 on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays... Read More

To say Rock Island made a colossal error in wasting $15 million to woo Walmart to 11th Street is a stunning understatement. But what’s perhaps saddest and most pathetic about it is its irony. Rock Island, like thousands of other cities across the country, will, at least once a year, pay lip service and throw promotional money at “small business weeks” and hollow pitches to “shop local.” City officials should’ve heeded their own advice in this matter. Aside from the property owners who were able to hit a stunning jackpot on selling their failed and crumbling 11th Street businesses at... Read More

Friday, August 26, I was invited by a couple of old high school girlfriends to the Circa 21 theatre in the District of Rock Island, IL to see the musical, “Menopause.” I was very excited to see this since I am coming of age, so to speak. And especially since I was to be seeing it with two girls I have known for 30 years. This would promise to be a life-changing performance for myself and every other woman in attendance. Before I go any further, let me say that this theatre is the most beautiful building I have ever had the pleasure of viewing in our Quad-Cities. The grand state of the... Read More