We all know him, we all love him, and it’s time to throw him one hell of a party. Everyone has been asking… where is John? Well, John fell quite ill back in April and was diagnosed with a rare spine eating infection. Over the last four months, John has endured a plethora of anti-biotics as well as back surgery and he is now in isolation, working on building his immune system back up. Radicle is asking the community to stop in and show the Horvath’s some support and love. Radicle is releasing Backbreaker Kolsch, a refreshing salt & lime Kolsch. 30% of all Backbreaker sales go to Janos.... Read More

I laughed a lot during the wonderfully cast “Grumpy Old Men,” running through May 6 at Rock Island’s Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, and I would bet you will too. Much like the movie it’s based upon, its charm is heavily dependent upon its cast. And much like the film starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon as the battlin’ oldsters duking it out over Ann Margret, Circa brings out the comedy heavy hitters with Brad Hauskins, Tom Walljasper and, particularly, Kim Vanderginst, in those three roles. That trio is likewise surrounded by a terrific comedic ensemble (most... 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’s “Elf” is a cute, fun holiday concoction, and was eaten up and greeted with smiles like Christmas cookies the night I saw it. With a fun live take on the blockbuster holiday film, a fantastic cast, wonderful sets and costumes and a terrific star giving it the perfect tone of goofiness and levity, it’s excellent holiday fare. There are flaws to the show, to be sure, but “Elf” is like winter’s first snowflake – you greet it with a smile, it reminds you of Christmas cheer, and you don’t want to put too much thought into it or it’ll ruin the moment. Sure, there are... Read More

Circa ‘21’s “Grumpy Old Men” will make you anything but grumpy. It’s a hilarious, ribald, dirty romp, roughly based on the beloved movie of the same name and sporting the same qualities. Prudish types may blush and bluster, but the rest of us will find it quite amusing. “Grumpy” is set in the small northern town of Wabasha, Wisc., where ice fishing rules and a feud on-and-off-the-ice has been chilly for decades between cranky geezers John Gustafson (Luther Chakurian) and Max Goldman (Tom Walljasper). It started in high school, over a girl, and shows no signs of lightening up even... Read More

One of America’s most popular children’s-book characters is ready to jump-start the summer in the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse presentation “Lyle The Crocodile,” opening this week and running through July 23 at the Rock Island dinner theatre. A delightful musical adapted from Bernard Waber’s kids’-lit series, this magical family entertainment is filled with laughter, songs, and happiness, and boasts a first-rate cast of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present “Lyle” on scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons through July 23.... Read More