Theatre
Getting Out
Augustana College
Friday, January 29, through Sunday, February 7
I know, I know: It’s really cold out there. You’re likely at home, curled up on the couch under a blanket, newspaper or iPhone in hand, with no intention of getting out into the winter chill. But at some point between January 29 and February 7, could you maybe be persuaded into getting out? Or, rather, persuaded into Getting Out.
After all, it’s not often that area theatre delivers a work by the esteemed playwright Marsha Norman (pictured), who received a Tony Award for the book to the musical The Secret Garden, and a Pulitzer Prize for her two-character heartbreaker ’night, Mother. But Augustana College and director Jeff Coussens are presenting an earlier, equally beautiful piece of Norman writing in Getting Out, off-Broadway’s acclaimed drama about a woman’s fight for redemption, and the play that put its author’s name on the map, winning her a 1979 Outer Critics Circle Award.
Getting Out’s central character Arlene has just served eight years in an Alabama prison for second-degree murder, and Norman’s play covers the first 24 hours of her release after she moves back into her squalid Kentucky apartment. Having found strength in religion, Arlene is eager to start life over yet still tormented by the sins of her past – and if all this sounds unbearably depressing, know that it’s Arlene’s past that actually helps make Getting Out such an exhilarating piece of theatre.
While present-day Arlene wrestles with her demons, her younger self, Arlie, acts out the experiences of “their” less worldly days, enabling Arlene (and the audience) to witness prior confrontations with figures including her pimp ex-boyfriend, her unfeeling mother, and various guards and prison officials. At times, the two versions of Arlene even confront one another, and what results from Getting Out’s kaleidoscopic drama is a taut, eloquent work that balances a compassionate embrace of the past with clear-eyed hope for the future.
Reviewers were taken with Norman’s achievement from the start, with the New York Times describing Getting Out as “a blaze of theatrical energy that lights up the off-Broadway scene as nothing else has done this season,” and the New York Post calling it “thrilling in its unadorned honesty” and “one of the best plays of the year.” But Coussens’ Augustana production is sure to be a thrill of its own, with Sarah Baker and Megan Hammerer playing Arlene and Arlie, respectively, alongside fellow performers Austin Allbert, Samuel Langellier, Madison Mortenson, Nick Romero, and Sage Shemroske.
The cast also includes numerous actors who, like, Baker, appeared in Augustana’s utterly sensational presentation of Machinal this past fall. So I’m eagerly looking forward to stage time again spent with Debo Balogun, Christine Broughton, Emily Johnson, Keenan Odenkirk, and Joshua Pride – the latter of whom I’m excited to be directing in an area show this March, and whose Getting Out character Ronnie was originally played, off-Broadway, by Kevin Bacon. I’m betting that’s as close to two-degrees-from-Kevin-Bacon as I’ll ever get.
Getting Out runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m., and more information and reservations are available by calling (309)794-7306 or visiting Augustana.edu/tickets.
Music
Sarah MacDougall
Rozz-Tox
Friday, January 29, 9 p.m.
On January 29, Rock Island’s Rozz-Tox presents a special performance with self-described “New Wave folk” artist Sarah MacDougall, a Canadian singer/songwriter and native Swede who current lives in Whitehorse, Yukon. This makes her perhaps the first traveling musician in history who’ll make a midwinter appearance in the Quad Cities and enjoy temperatures warmer than she’s used to.
MacDougall is currently touring in support of her new album Grand Canyon, which she composed over a six-month period spent in a remote Yukon cabin. (As she told London Groove Machine magazine, “It was minus-40 and I’d see moose walking around.”) But if that’s the price a singer/songwriter has to pay for reviews as rapturous as the ones Grand Canyon has received, I’m surprised more people don’t do it. Described as “thoughtful, strong, and spiritual” by Canada’s The Globe & Mail and a “breathtaking and touching record from one of the greatest talents of this era” by Belgium’s Rootstime, Grand Canyon has helped MacDougall ascend to the top tier of modern artists, winning her a 2015 Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Solo Album of the Year.
Yet MacDougall, with her haunting and evocative vocal stylings and poetic lyricism, didn’t burst into public awareness solely through Grand Canyon. She previously received a Western Canadian Music Award in that aforementioned category for 2011’s The Greatest Ones Alive (as well as a nomination as Songwriter of the Year). And her 2009 debut Across the Atlantic immediately indicated the arrival of a spectacular new presence on the folk scene, one that led her native country’s Nöjesguiden magazine to label her “one of Sweden’s best singer/songwriters.”
A familiar headliner at international music events including the Winnipeg Folk Festival and Iceland Airwaves, MacDougall is set to make a splash in her winter 2016 tour, which will also find her traveling to North Carolina, Kansas, Missouri, and New York before she departs for London in April. But I’m betting that some of you contemporary-folk fans are already quite familiar with her discography. Let’s see how much! Fill in the correct words to complete these song titles from MacDougall’s Across the Atlantic, Greatest Ones Alive, and Grand Canyon CDs.
1) “Devil’s _____”
2) “Crow’s _____”
3) “Cold _____”
4) “It’s a _____!”
5) “Biggest _____”
A) Storm
B) Night
C) Mistake
D) Gap
E) Lament
Sarah MacDougall’s Rock Island concert starts at 9 p.m. and more information on the night is available by calling (309)200-0978 or visiting RozzTox.com.
Answers: 1 – D, 2 – E, 3 – B, 4 – A, 5 – C. And that last title might be what MacDougall says about this tour stop if it’s actually chillier here than in Yukon.
ACTING SMART
Helpful Tips on Appearing More Intelligent Than You Actually Are
The most recent guests in Quad City Arts’ Visiting Artists series are the musicians and dancers of Pradhanica, the acclaimed celebration of Indian culture that will be staged for the public at St. Ambrose University’s Galvin Fine Arts Center on January 30. As the online clips of Pradhanica performances indicate, it really is the sort of thing that needs to be seen, and heard, to be believed. But just in case (a) you don’t have access to the Web when (b) someone asks you about the event that (c) you don’t know about yet and (d) you don’t want to look stupid, here are five ways to get through the conversation with dignity intact.
1) Know what the Pradhanica experience entails. Employing high-energy drumming, dizzying choreography, and a wordless presentation of age-old themes and legendary myths, Pradhanica explores ancient Indian culture through the dance form of Kathak, which involves classical storytelling delivered through fast-paced footwork and thrilling spins. With music played on sitar, tabla, djembe, and cajon, and one dancer (and her visible shadow) demonstrating jaw-dropping feats of physical precision and speed, Pradhanica is designed to explore the pervasive power of rhythm through movement and sound.
2) Know about Pradhanica’s lead dancer. The central, show-stopping figure in Pradhanica is South Korea native Jin Won, a choreographer, percussionist, and master of Kathak dance. In addition to her Pradhanica performances and touring major cities in India, Korea, Europe, Canada, and the United States, Won teaches Kathak dance at New Jersey’s Taalim School of Indian music, and has enjoyed prestigious engagements at India’s Delhi Shrinagar Dance Festival and Kolkata Dance Festival.
3) Know what critics have said about Jin Won and Pradhanica. New Jersey’s NJArts.net calls Won “an embodiment of pure rhythm, irresistible as she is versatile,” and “the forward scout leading this ensemble into new lands.” And the New York Times raved about Pradhanica’s “fleet-footed choreography, along with music which illuminated Indian rhythms in entrancingly offbeat ways.”
4) Know how to pronounce “Pradhanica” and what it means. All the “a”s are pronounced as “ah”s, as in the phrase “prod Hannukah,” and it’s an Indian term meaning “leader” or “head.”
5) Know how to use all this knowledge in a sentence. Ask friends if they know what Pradhanica is, and if they don’t, act all superior and say, “Oh, come on! Pradhanica! The entrancingly offbeat Kathak dance concert with its irresistible pradhanica Sin Jon – use your pradhanica!” But only say it if you’re a native Indian. And if you don’t mind friends thinking you’re really odd and irritating.
For tickets to January 30’s Pradhanica performance at St. Ambrose, call (563)333-6251, and for more information on the artists’ area residency, call (309)793-1213 or visit QuadCityArts.com.
What Else Is Happenin'
MUSIC
Friday, January 22 – Tribute to the Legend. Stage re-creation of a 1956 Elvis Presley concert with impersonator Travis LeDoyt and a three-piece band. Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center (2021 State Street, Bettendorf). 7:30 p.m. $25. For information, call (800-)43-4753 or visit Bettendorf.IsleOfCapriCasinos.com.
Friday, January 22 – Local H. Concert with rock duo Scott Lucas and Ryan Harding, featuring opening sets by Dead Forms and Grandfather Confusion. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $10. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com. For a 2013 interview with the band’s Scott Lucas, visit RCReader.com/y/localh.
Friday, January 22 – The Candymakers. Blues, rock, and soul musicians in concert, with an opening set by Blue Mud. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 9 p.m. $10. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, January 23 – An Evening with Leon Russell. Concert with the legendary pop, rock, blues, country, and bluegrass musician. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 7:30 p.m. $43-48. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, January 23 – The Schwag. The Grateful Dead tribute musicians in concert. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. $10. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, January 23 – McKenzies Mill. Concert with the Nashville-based country musicians. Red Rodeo (1720 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 8 p.m. For information, call (309)206-8508 or visit TheRedRodeo.com.
Saturday, January 23 – RATT. Multi-platinum-selling heavy-metal musicians in their 2016 Re-Invasion Tour, with an opening set by FireHouse. Riverside Casino Event Center (3184 Highway 22, Riverside). 8 p.m. $25-45. For tickets and information, call (877)677-3456 or visit RiversideCasinoAndResort.com.
Saturday, January 23 – Jim Gill. Family concert with the touring children’s-music singer/songwriter. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 2 p.m. Free. For information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Sunday, January 24 – Signature Series: Horn Trios. WVIK and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra present a concert with Marc Zyla on horn, Naha Greenholtz on violin, and Marian Lee on piano. Augustana College’s Wallenberg Hall (3520 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 2 p.m. $10-27. For tickets and information, call (563)322-7276 or visit QCSO.org.
Friday, January 29 – EGi. Progressive funk musicians in concert, with opening sets by Dead Larry and the Tripp Brothers. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $8.50-9. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Friday, January 29 – Battle of the Bands: Round One. Annual competition with bands performing 45-minute sets of original music. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, January 30 – Ron DeWitte and Lynne Rothrock. The married duo of blues guitarist DeWitte and chanteuse Rothrock perform in the Déjà Vu Rendezvous series. The Redstone Room (129 Main Street, Davenport). 8 p.m. $8.50-9. For tickets and information, call (563)326-1333 or visit RiverMusicExperience.org.
Saturday, January 30 – Indie Rock Showcase. Concert with sets by Satellite Heart, Seth Knappen, and Subatlantic. Rock Island Brewing Company (1815 Second Avenue, Rock Island). 9 p.m. For information, call (309)793-1999 or visit RIBCO.com.
Saturday, January 30 – The Big Dance: Iowa Show Choir Invitational. Annual competition between performers from 25 schools including Davenport Central High and Bettendorf High, with exhibition performances by Davenport North’s Northside Establishment and Center Stage. Davenport North High School (626 West 53rd Street, Davenport). 8:30 a.m. preliminaries, 7:30 p.m. finals. $10-15. For information, call (563)285-9631 or visit NHSBigDance.com.
Saturday, January 30 – Vocalosity: The Aca-Perfect Musical Experience. Deke Sharon presents an evening of a cappella renditions of everything from Gregorian chant to contemporary hits, in a Hancher Auditorium Visiting Artists presentation. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7:30 p.m. $10-35. For information, call (319)335-1160 or visit Hancher.UIowa.edu.
THEATRE
Thursday, January 21, through Saturday, January 23 - A Midsummer Night's Dream. William Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, directed by Calvin Vo. Moline High School Auditorium (3600 Avenue of the Cities, Moline). 7 p.m. $6-8. For information, call (309)743-1624 or e-mail cvo@molineschools.org.
Friday, January 22, through Saturday, January 30 – Love’s Labour’s Lost. The Prenzie Players’ presentation of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, directed by Cait Bodenbender. QC Theatre Workshop (1730 Wilkes Avenue, Davenport). Thursday through Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m. $10-15. For tickets and information, call (563)484-4210 or visit PrenziePlayers.com.
Friday, January 22, through Saturday, January 30 – Hedwig & the Angry Inch. John Cameron Mitchell’s Tony-winning rock musical, directed by Tristan Layne Tapscott. Circa ’21 Speakeasy (1818 Third Avenue, Rock Island). Friday and Saturday 8 p.m. $18-20. For tickets and information, call (309)786-7733 extension 2 or visit TheCirca21Speakeasy.com.
Friday, January 22, through Sunday, January 31 – The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Tony-winning musical comedy directed by Susan Hamel. Iowa City Community Theatre (4261 Oak Crest Hill Road, Iowa City). Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $11-19. For tickets and information, call (319)338-0443 or visit IowaCityCommunityTheatre.com.
Friday, January 22 – Branagh Theatre Live: The Winter’s Tale. An HD screening of William Shakespeare’s comedic drama, featuring Kenneth Branagh and Judi Dench. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
Friday, January 29, through Sunday, February 21 – Line of Descent. William McCauley’s farcical comedy, directed by Sam Osheroff. Riverside Theatre (213 North Gilbert Street, Iowa City). Thursday through Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. $18-30. For tickets and information, call (319)338-7672 or visit RiversideTheatre.org.
Wednesday, February 3 – National Theatre Live: Jane Eyre. An HD screening of the Charlotte Brontë stage adaptation, directed by Sally Cookson. Englert Theatre (221 East Washington Street, Iowa City). 7 p.m. $15-18. For tickets and information, call (319)688-2653 or visit Englert.org.
MOVIE
Saturday, January 30 – The Stream. Family comedy directed by Augustana alum Estlin Feigley, followed by an interactive filmmaking session on special effects you can do at home, stunt choreography, and more. Augustana College’s Centennial Hall (3703 Seventh Avenue, Rock Island). 1 p.m. $6. For tickets and information, call (309)794-7306 or visit Augustana.edu/tickets.
EXHIBITS
Saturday, January 30, through Sunday, June 5 – Mississippi River View from the Muscatine Art Collection. Exhibition of 60 paintings, drawings, maps, and other river-related works from the collection of the Muscatine Art Center. Figge Art Museum (225 West Second Street, Davenport). Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Free with $4-7 museum admission. For information, call (563)326-7804 or visit FiggeArtMuseum.org.
Saturday, January 30 – Guy Florescu. Photographs and paintings spanning 40 years of the Quad City artist's work. Moline Public Library (3210 41st Street, Moline). Noon. Free. For information, call (309)524-2440 or visit MolineLibrary.com.
COMEDY
Saturday, January 30 – The Wonder Bread Years. A Baby Boomer’s salute to Americana with comedian Pat Hazell. Orpheum Theatre (57 South Kellogg Street, Galesburg). 7:30 p.m. $15-30. For tickets and information, call (309)342-2299 or visit TheOrpheum.org.
EVENTS
Friday, January 22, and Saturday, January 23 – World’s Toughest Rodeo. Touring event featuring bull riding, saddle-bronc riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, comedy, competitions, and more. i wireless Center (1201 River Drive, Moline). 7:30 p.m. $9.50-60. For tickets, call (800)745-3000 or visit iwirelessCenter.com.
Friday, January 22, through Sunday, January 24 – Rod and Custom Show. Annual weekend event featuring vendors, presentations, displays, and more. QCCA Expo Center (2621 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island). Friday 1-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $8. For tickets and information, call (309)788-5912 or visit QCCAExpoCenter.com.
Friday, January 29 – Sweet Charity. Fundraiser for the Central Community Circle Food Pantry, featuring dessert samples from Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie, Chocolate Manor, SIS International, Madeline’s Made From Scratch Cinnamon Rolls, Dimitri Wine & Spirits, and more. Bucktown Center for the Arts (225 East Second Street, Davenport). 6-9 p.m. $10. For information, visit BucktownArts.com.
Friday, January 29, through Sunday, January 31 - Eagles & Ivories. The 22nd-annual weekend celebration of ragtime, early jazz, and the American eagle, with concerts by Ivory & Gold, the Mud Creek Mudcats, Brian Holland, and Afterhours, silent movies, supper events, and more. Downtown Muscatine. Friday 9 a.m. - midnight; Saturday noon - midnight; Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For information, visit MuscatineArtsCouncil.org.
