Who’s not afraid of seeing “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Well, anyone who fits into that category will want to know that District Theater in Rock Island is presenting the show April 1-16 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2 p.m. at District Theatre in the former Rock Island Argus Building, 1724 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201. Tickets are $20 and you can get them at the theater and at www.districttheatre.com. Directed by Tristan Layne Tapscott, “Woolf” is a “two-fisted thriller,” a tight blend of unforgettable characters and fast-paced comedy. The story centers... Read More

District Theater’s “Moon Over Buffalo” is a charming trifle, a comedy of errors and misunderstandings and ensuing hijinks made most entertaining by the goofy performances of its cast, particularly its leads. It’s infectious fun, a “Three’s Company” episode writ large, fluffy and ephemeral but a sweet escapism. Written by Ken Ludwig, “Moon” rises with the setting suns of two fading stars of stage, Charlotte (Nancy Sheesley Teerlinck) and George (Michael Kelly), who are attempting to keep up with the rising medium of film and failing miserably. Distressed and salty over being passed... Read More

Anyone who has been involved in a play knows that the story backstage is sometimes more compelling than the one being presented on. In the case of “Moon Over Buffalo,” the lines are blurred to hilarious effect. The District Theatre opens its 2016 season with Ken Ludwig’s popular backstage farce, and District owner and creative director Tristan Tapscott is chuffed with the choice. “This has been one of my favorites for years. I’m always obsessed with what happens behind the scenes and this is two hours of it!” Tapscott said. “It’s hysterical but also full of heart! We all... Read More

We’re barely a month into the local theater season, but already the bar has been set pretty high for best show of the year with “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” The rock musical, produced masterfully by Tristan Tapscott (best known for his work as impresario of District Theater) and brilliantly acted by titular star Anthony Jade Natarelli, is a bravura production, doing the award-winning source material proud and presenting a show of rare entertainment and exquisite humanity. For those who haven’t seen it or heard of it, “Hedwig,” which is making its area stage debut at Rock Island’s... Read More

From David Bowie to Boy George to Caitlin Jenner, gender blurring and androgyny has made for provocative entertainment and social commentary, and perhaps no production has been more bombastic or incisive in recent years than “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” which makes its area stage debut this weekend at Rock Island’s Speakeasy theater. The show, an unrepentantly over-the-top musical and dramatic extravaganza about a transgender singer that explores themes of love, freedom, gender identity and social politics, was critically acclaimed, showered by awards and a box office smash since its 1998... Read More