The Quad-Cities theater company Genesius Guild was wearing masks in performance for decades before it was fashionable or medically recommended. After it had to cancel its 2020 summer season at Rock Island’s Lincoln Park Classic Theatre due to Covid, Genesius will be back this summer, with three scaled-back productions in June and July, including an ancient Greek tragedy in mask to close the abbreviated season – ensuring it will all be safe for cast, crew and audiences. The 2021 season will consist of: June 19, 20, 26 and 27: William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” adapted and abridged... Read More

In the moving play, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” audiences get inside the mind of a 15-year-old gifted autistic boy. Augustana College will present a recorded live performance of their production online at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The 2012 stage adaption of British novelist Mark Haddon’s 2003 international best-seller originally was scheduled to be performed last December, but was postponed due to the pandemic. Student tickets are free, but must be purchased by first requesting a complimentary code. Faculty and staff... Read More

It’s been a long process, but this Friday, theater students from Davenport Central High School will present a filmed version of Clue: High School Edition. The play will be shown for free on the Broadway on Demand streaming platform, at 7 p.m., Feb. 26. Clue: High School Edition is based on the 1985 Paramount mystery/comedy Clue, which in turn was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game of the same name. The tale begins at a remote mansion – here filmed at Davenport’s Renwick Mansion — where six mysterious guests assemble for a dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu.... Read More

A wise man (lyricist Hal David) once wrote “What the World Needs Now is Love.” Man, do we need it now more than ever, and you can certainly get your affectionate fix in the new Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse Valentine cabaret, “Let’s Fall in Love.” Valentine’s Day is technically over — but really, who doesn’t need love every day?? And the 90-minute, slick, sweet and super heartfelt video compilation will be available online through noon on Monday, Feb. 22. I loved, loved, loved it. It features the talents (including cute interviews of couples) of many performers not only from... 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. Many Quad City Music Guild (QCMG) board members haven’t acted on stage in more than a year, but they have been acting in the best interests of the community as they navigate the scary plot twists of a treacherous Covid landscape. Due to ongoing Covid safety protocols and continuing limitations on audience size, the QCMG board announced last month it would cancel the rescheduled April 2021 show. “The Secret Garden” was two weeks away... Read More

Are you ready to fall in love? Will you be our Valentine? Quad City theatres have joined together to offer a streaming Valentine’s show like no other. Join us for romantic songs, swoon-worthy dance numbers, and true love stories! Make it a date: streaming starts February 13 at 5pm and ends February 21st. Get your tickets now at showtix4u.com/events/circa21. Your love will be spread far and wide, as all tickets and donations for this event will be shared among the participating Quad Cities theatres. Let’s do it, let’s fall in love!  Read More

The newest children’s theater instructor at Moline’s Spotlight Theatre has traveled far and wide to pursue her passions – theater and history. Lily Maynard – a friendly 34-year-old who’s married to Quad City Arts executive director Kevin Maynard – grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. She earned her BFA in musical theater in 2011 and a master’s in history, both from Western Illinois University. Since her first appearance on stage in a Florida high school production of Stand and Deliver (1999), Lily has appeared in more than 50 productions — including Guys and Dolls, You’re... Read More

Bethany Sanders is only 24 years old, but already has 21 years of dance experience  and is quickly gaining a reputation as a passionate teacher and choreographer. The Pleasant Valley High alum started taking tap and ballet lessons when she was 3 and hasn’t stopped moving since. “I absolutely loved it, and added theater to the game when I was 11,” Sanders said in a recent interview. After 5th grade, she started doing theater at Center for Living Arts in Rock Island, and her first musical was “Grease” in 2008, when she was 11, and she performed with Center for Living Arts through junior... 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

Davenport Junior Theatre is currently live streaming their latest masterpiece, Snow White 2.Zoom: The Evil Queen Returns in REAL TIME! Experience this Free Mainstage Show Streaming Live this Saturday Nov 14 at 4 p.m. and Sunday Nov 15 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at https://www.davenportjuniortheatre.org/, YouTube and Facebook pages. Inspired by the winner of our Student Play Competition, Julia Reagan’s The Evil Queen Returns, Snow Whit 2.Zoom is a celebration of all things Snow White. Hosted by DJT’s very own Showtime Pal, the show celebrates classic Snow White scenes all tied together by the band... Read More