The Mockingbird On Main will be holding an audition for a new adaption of Henrik Ibsen’s Enemy of the People by Quad City playwright Alexander Richardson on Thursday, June 24 at 7pm. This powerful drama explores the impact of pollution in a small town and the consequences of uncovering the truth. Follow the story of one man’s brave struggle to do the right thing in the face of extreme scrutiny and social intolerance. In Richardson’s modern-day reimagining of the classic Ibsen tale, it is revealed that the true corruption in the town and the entire country is that all the power lies with... Read More

It’s last call to see a trio of local theater shows! So if you’ve been meaning to check them out, today is your last chance! Last Chance To See ‘Charlie Brown’ At Spotlight The last remaining performance of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” will be 2 p.m. Sunday, June 13! Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door), available at 309-912-7647 or www.thespotlighttheatreqc.com. Last Call For ‘Spamalot’ It’s last call also for Music Guild’s “Spamalot!” Quad-City Music Guild’s first complete musical in a year and a half, “Monty... Read More

Sixteen months after the Spotlight Theatre staged its last major musical, it’s provided the pitch-perfect, post-pandemic production – “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Simple, sweet, nostalgic – both exuberantly childlike and loaded with the weight of the world on its young shoulders – the beloved 1967 musical based on the classic “Peanuts” characters has deeply resonated with me my whole life. First, I’m sure like many socially awkward boys, I always closely identified with the title “Everyman” role. Charlie Brown is the cartoon reflection of “Mister Cellophane” (from... Read More

Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s first production in 15 months, the new drama “Princeton’s Rage,” is deeply personal for both its Quad-Cities playwright and director. In the Don Faust play (rated R for language and adult content), Princeton Yale left his hometown of Chicago over 30 years ago, turning his back on an abusive past at the hands of his high school classmates and never looking back. But through a series of happenstances, Princeton’s past comes to pay him a visit, in the form of one of his former tormentors, Reece “Rage” Johnson, and more than just talk about “the good... Read More

The Black Box Theatre in downtown Moline will be presenting the comedy “Hate Mail” by Bill Corbett and Kira Obolensky through June 12. Performances begin at 7:30 pm except Sundays, which begin at 2:00 pm “Hate Mail” follows Preston Dennis, Jr. who writes a furious letter to a store demanding a refund for a broken snow globe. In his increasingly heated exchanges with the assistant manager Dahlia, who gives as good as she gets, he gets her fired – and finds a vengeful epistolary match. These two begin an epic, often acrimonious correspondence as their lives intertwine. ”Whether Preston... Read More

The day that Illinois Quad-Cities theaters and concert venues have long waited for arrives today, on Friday, June 11 – when they can remove Covid-related restrictions on audience capacity. Today, the state of Illinois is moving into Phase 5 of the pandemic, which lifts all limits on indoor and outdoor festivals, concerts and other live performances, which will affect many Q-C venues. “We are thrilled to be able to go back to full capacity in both venues. Nothing but a positive for us,” said Brett Hitchcock, director of audience development for Circa ’21 and The Speakeasy, Rock Island. In... Read More

It’s looking like a beautiful summer weekend, and you’re looking to get out and have fun! But what’s going on this weekend? Check out your Weekend in 2 Minutes podcast, every Thursday morning on QuadCities.com! From car shows to Fresh Wax to Corporate Rock to Hate Mail and more, it’s your look at the area entertainment scene’s highlights this weekend, in your Weekend in 2 Minutes! Here’s the link, for your listening pleasure!  Read More

Davenport Junior Theatre (DJT) will conclude its 69th season of theater “for kids, by kids” with their first in-person production in 15 months: the premiere of Aaron Randolph III’s “The True Tale of Robin Hood,” opening Friday. Written by local playwright Randolph and directed by Zach Meyer, this swashbuckling production will be held outside on the Great Lawn of the Annie Wittenmyer Complex, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport, and will be FREE for all to attend. In addition to the performance, guests are invited to arrive an hour before show time to enjoy a mini-Renaissance Faire on the lawn,... Read More

Lora Adams. Wendy Czekalski. Matt Walsh. You already want a ticket, don’t you? You should. Go. Reserve those tickets. I’ll wait. Got ‘em? Great! Let’s talk! ‘Hate Mail.’ It’s You’ve Got Mail gone wrong, gone filthy and gone 2020. You need to add it to your weekend plans. You’ll thank me later. Written by Bill Corbett and Kira Obolensky, ‘Hate Mail’ is a bitchy, sardonic and bitingly romantic (?) comedy featuring two characters – Preston Dennis Jr. (the always incredible Matt Walsh) and Dahlia Markle (a super funny Wendy Czekalski) – who sit at individual tables... Read More

If you’ve ever met Don Faust you’d know he’s one of the nicest, funniest and most positive blokes on this planet. So it comes with some shock and awe that this not-quite-but-sort-of-autobiographical play dives into a not-so-cheery part of his life that under some circumstances would disavow a gleeful demeanor. Leave it to Faust to rise way, way above a troubled and rather tortured past to treat others the exact opposite. I think that’s why the play hit me the way it did. It was personal. On a few levels. I have known Don for … who knows … maybe close to 20 years now and though... Read More