By Amanda Jo Payne Excitement Fills the room as the lights dim. The referee takes the stage and another round of Comedy Sportz kicks off an amazing evening of improv genius at The Establishment Theatre located in the District of Rock Island, IL. These shows are rated “E” for everyone. But after each Friday and Saturday night show, they present an adult performance that shares the same audience interaction and guaranteed laughter. The Bandwagon is a show where the actors have instruments that they actually play to create their made-up tunes. Audience involvement is a key point to improv,... Read More

A 40th anniversary may be known as the “Ruby Anniversary,” but in the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse’s 40th-anniversary celebration NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS, the gifts being shared are songs, dances, comedy, and charm, all courtesy of the theatre’s performing wait staff The Bootleggers. Running every Thursday evening in August, this all-new musical revue will showcase highlights and memories from four decades of professional entertainment at the Rock Island theatre, and also showcase its cast’s talents through performances from The King & I, Grease, Cats, Fiddler... Read More

Get ready to rock your way down to heartbreak hotel with Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse. The Rock Island theater is pleased to present the critically acclaimed HEARTBREAK HOTEL – A SALUTE TO YOUNG ELVIS starring Circa ’21 audience favorite, Robert Shaw and the Lonely Street Band for one show on July 12th. Doors open at 6:00 with show beginning at 7:15. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 the day of the show and may be purchased at the Circa ’21 ticket office located at 1828 3rd Avenue Rock Island or by calling 309-786-7733, Ext. 2.  This is a show-only performance, however the theatre... Read More

Located in downtown Rock Island, the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse has been treating audiences to the  finest in dining and professional stage entertainment for the past 40 years. And for the venue’s sure-to-be-sensational 41st season, beginning this November, the venue is proud to announce a lineup boasting six marvelous productions that have never before been seen on the Circa ’21 stage – among them three new musicals based on beloved movies, the latest in the popular Church Basement Ladies series, and one of the most popular Broadway titles in the history of American theatre. Circa... Read More

Legendary country performer Larry Gatlin will sit down and make himself at home on the Circa ’21 stage in his one man show “WILL THE REAL LARRY GATLIN PLEASE SIT DOWN” for two shows on October 11. The theatre will offer a matinee and evening show.  Doors for the matinee open at 11:45 with a plated lunch served from 12-12:45 and show at 1 pm.  Doors for the evening show open a 5:45 with a five entree buffet open from 6-7, and show at 7:15.  Tickets are $44.41 for the matinee and $50.16 for the evening show. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Circa ’21 ticket office... Read More

The summer is passing quickly and the Genesius guild finishes their summer schedule with “the Birds” by Aristophanes. This play was written 2430 years ago in Athens. In this play, two protagonists are fed up with the media-driven ways of human life and society. They tire of politics. They grow weary of the rules and struggles for power. They desire a whole entire new life. As as result of this want, the two men decide that they are finished with the ground and shall forever live among the birds. Ironically, they introduce these very human behaviors and beliefs to the sky. The play has... Read More

The Return are living up to their name, at least in the case of Circa ’21. The Beatles tribute act are RETURN-ing to the Rock Island dinner theater for a show Thursday, June 16. Doors are at 6, show is at 7. Tickets are $27.50 in advance and $35.00 at the door. It’s a show only gig, but the theatre will offer snacks and sandwich baskets for purchase as well as a full bar. Tickets may be reserved at the Circa ’21 ticket office located at 1828 3rd Avenue in Rock Island or by calling (309) 786-7733, ext. 2. The Return began its series of returns in 1995 when four young friends got together... Read More