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 and comic-strip characters is set to come to life in a brand-new way, as the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse stages the area premiere of the family comedy BIG NATE: THE MUSICAL. Running through May 13, this charming, hilarious treat based on writer/illustrator Lincoln Peirce’s beloved creation is filled with songs and spirit, and boasts a sensational cast of professional talents. Circa ’21 will present BIG NATE: THE MUSICAL on scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons through May 13. Morning performances,... Read More

Heavenly humor and music is going to be shining down on the congregation of Circa ’21 Dinner Theater this summer as the Rock Island venue opens up its pearly gates to “Sister Act.” The Broadway musical-comedy smash hit opens May 6 and runs through July 2. Based on 1992’s wildly popular film comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, and nominated for five 2011 Tony Awards including  Best Musical, this hilarious, endearing, and high-energy production will have you riding a wave of pure musical-comedy exhilaration, and is being brought to life by a magnificent cast of professional talents. “Sister... Read More