Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 3rd Ave., Rock Island, is seeking video online submissions to cast an upcoming show, “Beehive: The ‘60s Musical,” to open in May. “Beehive” (which was performed by Quad City Music Guild in spring 2007) is a fun, frothy flashback to the fabulous females who unmistakably left their mark on 1960s pop music, matching big voices with big hairdos — from the early decade bubble-gum classics to the explosive late ‘60s soul sound, according to Circa. From The Supremes and Connie Francis to Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin, “Beehive” is a wailing musical... Read More

At one point in the original bluegrass musical “Big Rock Candy Mountain,”the witchy, bitchy character Velda decries the Depression-era theater in which the story takes place as “frivolous nonsense.” Well, in the midst of what seems like a greater 21st-century Depression (see: Covid, unemployment, racial injustice, political division and endless quarantine), I think a little mindless, frivolous nonsense is just what we need right now. Filmed recently at the Circa ’21 Speakeasy (featuring eight mask-less cast members), the 2014 musical – affectionately written and directed by Tristan... Read More

In a dark, uncertain time, Circa ’21 offers light and unadulterated joy in its latest online entertainment, the fun bluegrass musical “Big Rock Candy Mountain.” Fans of the film “O Brother Where Art Thou” and the Circa ’21 favorite “Southern Crossroads” should love this original musical – written and directed by Tristan Tapscott — that features such classic hits as “Big Rock Candy Mountain,” “House of the Rising Sun,” “Keep on the Sunny Side of Life” and many more. In the story set in 1932, a merry band of misfits sneaks into a theater hoping to stay out of... Read More

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island, has only been open for two months since March 14, yet it has creatively, persistently found alternate ways to offer local entertainment for people like me who are desperate for it. Far from a luxury or a frill that can be easily excised, arts and culture have proven to be a vital lifeline during the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. As I’ve said before, the arts – at any time – help define who we are; they tell the story of us through a staggeringly diverse number of forms and genres. They lift us up, comfort us, inspire us, express what we may not... Read More

Saturday In The Arts is a comprehensive weekly feature looking at a trend, personality, or major subject involving the Quad-Cities arts and entertainment scene. Making it through nearly five months of a paralyzing pandemic was bad enough, but for those of us in Iowa and the Quad-Cities, Aug. 10, 2020 and the days that followed seemed especially cruel. I’ll never forget that Monday afternoon, working on my laptop in the basement, a prisoner in my home trying not to go insane during a crazy year. The power suddenly went out, as a freak inland hurricane (or “derecho” – duh-RAY-cho – as everyone... Read More

Circa ‘21 is coming into your homes this New Year’s Eve with RAISE YOUR GLASS, an all new virtual cabaret experience! Join Circa for an unforgettable night with the famed Circa ‘21 Bootleggers, your favorite Circa ‘21 stars and a few special guests! The show will feature songs and segments from entertainers across the United States culminating with a virtual toast at Midnight (CST). The show begins at 11:00pm on New Year’s Eve and ends at Midnight. Join Circa for some New Year’s Eve fun and support the Quad City Area’s premier professional theatre! NYE Tickets: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/44554 Other... Read More

Stay in from the cold and celebrate this holiday season with Circa ’21! Join your favorite Circa ’21 performers, and some local Rising Stars, as they take you into their homes, and onto their favorite home-away-from-home, the Circa ’21 stage! This collection of heartwarming songs and exciting dance numbers is sure to get you in the holiday spirit like only Circa ’21 can. Virtual tickets start as low as $10, and can be purchased easily here! Until we can gather together again in person, please join us at Home for the Holidays. Streaming begins Saturday, December 19th at... Read More

Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse was denied by the state of Illinois to be re-classified as a restaurant, and the 43-year-old local institution will petition the state a second time, to help it stay in business. On Monday, because of new dining restrictions put into place by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Circa is being forced to close its doors Saturday after the final performance of “Savannah Sipping Society,” and will stay closed until January. “It was such a difficult decision,” Brett Hitchcock, director of audience development, said Monday night. “You pour your heart and soul and life savings... Read More

Circa ’21 owner Denny Hitchcock sent out the following letter tonight to Circa ’21 subscribers and patrons. It’s a sad farewell to the holiday show and the rest of the shows throughout 2020. Here’s hoping Circa is back better than ever and we’ll have a healthy country and season in 2021! Here’s the letter from Denny in its entirety: Dear Loyal Guest, With the closure of Rock Island County by Governor Pritzker at midnight Tuesday, we have made the difficult decision to close our doors for the holiday season. The holiday productions of “Winter Wonderland”... Read More

With the closure of indoor dining throughout the state, by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse has made the difficult decision to close its doors for the holiday season. The Rock Island theater’s planned productions of “Winter Wonderland” and “Seussical” will be moved to the end of the 2021 season instead. Circa has, however, received special permission from Springfield to remain open until this Saturday to finish the current run of “The Savannah Sipping Society.” “This was a terribly difficult decision,” Brett Hitchcock, director of audience development,... Read More