Moline’s Spotlight Theatre (1800 7th Ave.) will lean into its niche as a premier family-friendly theater for 2022, as four of its five musicals are based on stories aimed at children. “We love doing shows the whole family can come to,” Spotlight co-owner Sara Tubbs said Tuesday. “ ‘The Producers’ is geared more PG-13, but everything else is super family friendly. We have kids shows too; we will be announcing those fairly soon. We just think it’s great to bring your kids and experience theater together.” After this fall’s “Little Shop of Horrors” and December’s “The Sound... 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

At Quad City Arts in Rock Island, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, as the 35th anniversary of Festival of Trees will look different this year, but the holiday magic will continue in a whole new way. Kicking off the holiday season during Covid, this year’s eight-day event will not be in person, but will highlight a televised Holiday Special & Day of Giving to air on KWQC-TV6 on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. There will be select designs, ornaments, gift shop items and VIP baskets available for bid and purchase at www.qcfestivaloftrees.com or at the Quad City Arts Rock Island... Read More

Spotlight Theatre is once again putting the spotlight on a big name in their virtual online chats! Friday April 10th, at noon, Spotlight Artistic Director Sara Tubbs sits down (virtually) with Dashaun Young live on facebook to take your questions. Dashaun’s credits include “Simba” in The Lion King (Broadway, West End, Tour, Vegas), Hairspray (1st National Tour), Legends (NY Premiere), Sex and The City 2 (Film and Soundtrack). Workshops/Readings: Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Strange Loop, Triassic Parq, The Scottsboro Boys, and Emerald Man. Join Spotlight live to ask questions!  Read More

Moline’s Spotlight Theatre is putting the spotlight on a live online chat with Mara Davi today! At noon Friday, April 3rd, Artistic Director Sara Tubbs sits down (virtually) With Mara Davi and takes your questions live on the Spotlight Facebook page! Mara played the role of Maggie in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, in 2006. She joined The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway in 2007 succeeding Sutton Foster in the lead role of Janet van de Graaff. In 2008, she was featured in the premiere of the musical stage version of The Band Wagon at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. She was in New York’s... Read More

The latest production to hit The Spotlight Theatre stage will bring inspiration to audience members of all ages! Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical kicks off performances at The Spotlight Theatre (1800 7th Avenue Moline) this Friday Aug 2 and will run through Sunday Aug 11. Matilda The Musical is a story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare... Read More

It’s your last chance to get dinner with Dracula! (And we promise it will be bloody good, although more figurative than literal on the bloody!) Dinner With Dracula will be presented in advance of Ballet Quad Cities’ Dracula at 5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Spotlight Theater, 800 7th Ave, Moline. Dracula will be presented at 8 p.m. Oct. 19-20 at the Spotlight. There are only hours left to get your tickets to join Dracula for a spectacular feast featuring a pasta bar, carving station, and delectable desserts served by the Count of the Castle! All proceeds from the evening’s ticket... Read More