16 Dec 2010

The River Readings at Augustana Presents Susan Glaspell's Trifles

By Rick Martin

(Augustana College, Rock Island, IL) -Take Davenport-born Susan Glaspell, her turn-of-the-century play Trifles, a bunch of talented Augustana College students, and you have a lively River Readings event on January 20.

Departing from its usual fare of contemporary poets, novelists, and nonfiction writers, River Readings focuses this January on a staged reading of a play. Five students in Augustana College's theatre program, under the direction of senior Bart Curtin, will read Susan Glaspell's short play Trifles. Curtin is studying the play as part of his senior research project in the departments of English and theatre. He selected Trifles because it was written in 1916, soon after the birth of modernism. Following the reading, Curtin, the actors, and theatre program director Jeff Coussens will answer questions about the reading and the play.

Born in Davenport in 1876, Susan Glaspell worked as a reporter in Des Moines before moving to the east coast where with George Cook and others, she founded the Provincetown Players. Trifles, presented in 1916, is based on a murder case Glaspell covered while working for the Des Moines Daily News. Going on to write many plays, novels, and short stories, Glaspell won the Pulitzer Prize in 1931 for her play Alison's House.

Trifles tells the story of a murder through the eyes of two ordinary women of the early 1900's who despite their traditional roles as housewives might just be more astutely observant than the male professional investigators.

"What will make the reading worth attending, "Curtin says, "is a communal appreciation for the role literature played about 100 years ago during a time of change for many types of people. Even to this day the themes expressed in this piece are inherent in our nation's politics."

The reading is free and open to the public and takes place Thursday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. in Wallenberg Hall (3703 7th Ave.) on the Augustana College campus. A reception follows the reading.

The River Readings at Augustana is sponsored by the Institute for Leadership and Service, the Thomas Tredway Library, and the English Department at Augustana College.

The River Readings at Augustana calendar:

March 24, Molly McNett, short fiction

April 14, Dora Malech, poetry

09 Dec 2010

Old Creamery Theatre Company 2011 Auditions

By Shelley Oehler
WHEN: Saturday January 22, 2011, from 2pm - 6pm

Sunday January 23, 2011, from 1pm - 5pm

WHERE: The Old Creamery Theatre

39 - 38th Ave. Amana, IA 52203

 

WHAT: Actors should prepare two short contrasting monologues (max. 1 minute each) one of which should be a comic piece (preferably contemporary)

Singers (in addition to the short monologues) should prepare 16 to 32 bars of one (or two contrasting) song(s) sung a cappella or with recorded accompaniment.

(A CD player will be available - NO accompanist will be provided)

Please bring a current picture and resume.

Seeking Equity and non-Equity performers of various ages (including college students and recent college graduates for intern positions) to fill roles in The Old Creamery's 2011 Main Stage, Studio, and Theatre for Young Audience series. ("Art" and "The Guys" on the Studio Stage and "A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" on the Main Stage are all fully cast at this time).

Intern opportunities generally require availability throughout the year (though some positions may be available with summer-only commitments). Internships include housing and a $225 per week living stipend. Intern duties involve all aspects of theatre and may include but are not limited to: performing, costuming, stage management, house management, prop design, set construction, lighting, promotions and assistant teaching of workshops.

Membership and applicable weeks in Equity's EMC program are available for main stage productions only.

Please call our business offices at (319) 622-6034 after January 17, 2011 to make an appointment.

If you are unable to attend these auditions, please send a headshot and resume to:

Sean McCall - Artistic Director

The Old Creamery Theatre Company

39 - 38th Ave.

Amana, IA. 52203

Or electronically to smccall@oldcreamery.com

07 Dec 2010

Tax Revenue Doesn't Grow on Christmas Trees

By Sen Chuck Grassley

Tax Revenue Doesn't Grow on Christmas Trees

by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

When an Iowa family gathered around the Thanksgiving table in November, the conversation between a retired farmer and a young attorney in the family evolved into a discussion about death and taxes.

A time-sensitive predicament in federal tax policy seems to turn a philosophical observation often attributed to Mark Twain on its head: "the only two certainties in life are death and taxes."

That's because unless Congress extends federal estate tax relief by December 31, the farmer's children and grandchildren gathered around the Thanksgiving table would be liable for up to a whopping 55 percent of his lifetime's worth of assets (less a $1 million exemption) starting New Year's Day. So in addition to the lifetime's worth of income, investment and property taxes the farmer has already paid throughout his career, his family would be liable for what amounts to a confiscatory tax known as the federal estate tax.  Come January 1, farmers and small business owners who have scrimped, sacrificed and saved their entire lives to build up a family business might see that Uncle Sam entitled to more than half of their estates if this Congress doesn't act.

In fact, across-the-board tax hikes set to go into effect on New Year's Day would be the largest tax dollar increase ever imposed on the American people and U.S. businesses, including small businesses where 70 percent of the jobs are created.

Partisanship in Washington is slowing down an agreement that must be reached by New Year's Eve.  Otherwise, the lowest marginal rate will climb from 10 percent to 15 percent and the highest will jump to 39.6 percent from 35 percent.

Big spenders like to gin up the politics of class warfare, pitting high-income taxpayers against those with lower-incomes. While it may score cheap political points, the time-worn tactic comes at the expense of the public good.

Contrary to what the Democratic leaders in Washington portray, raising taxes is not the magical cure that will shrink the deficit. Raising taxes gives big spenders in Congress a license to create new layers of government and put taxpayers on the hook for even more entitlements. Bumping up tax rates siphons money out of the private sector and actually would shrink the Gross Domestic Product. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the GDP would grow as much as 1.4 percent higher in 2011 if all the tax relief is made permanent.

Lawmakers need to support pro-growth, job-creating policies that expand the economic pie, not shrink it. Growing the economy will expand the tax base.

Economists widely agree that raising taxes right now is a bad idea, especially considering that unemployment is breathing down the neck of our struggling economy.

Jacking up taxes is a sure-fire way to deep-freeze hiring and hijack the fragile economic recovery.  Businesses storing up capital are reluctant to create jobs and take on new payroll obligations, especially when they don't know what their tax obligations will be starting in January.

Part of the blame is attributable to the uncertainty over the direction of U.S. tax policy. If Congress fails to extend the marginal tax rates, small businesses will take a big hit.  No wonder the unemployment needle inched higher in November according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Businesses don't know if they can afford to expand their payroll.

The mid-term elections delivered a clear message. Americans want Washington to stop overspending and overtaxing the people of the United States.

As Iowa's senior U.S. Senator, I've taken this grassroots message to the lame-duck session of Congress. Incredibly, some lawmakers seem to think that letting taxpayers keep more of their own money is like handing out "bonuses."

Something tells me that Iowa families who are worried about less take-home pay in January don't consider extending the current tax rates a bonus, a windfall or a handout.

Some lawmakers just don't get it. Tax revenue comes from their constituents' hard-earned money. It doesn't grow on Christmas trees, no matter how fanciful the rhetoric gets about millionaires versus the unemployed.

Call it a hunch. But I have a feeling the retired farmer and his family will have an even livelier discussion come New Year's Eve if Washington doesn't do the right thing and vote down the biggest dollar tax increase in U.S. history.

Monday, December 6, 2010

06 Dec 2010

ADD SOME HISTORIC SPLENDOR TO YOUR HOLIDAY!

By Brittany Marietta

Celebrate the joy of the season!  Join us for Rivermont Collegiate's Annual Holiday Open House, to be held Saturday, December 11th from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  The Rivermont Collegiate campus is home to the Historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion, built on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi.  The Mansion is a local landmark, featuring Italian marble, painted ceilings, and hand carved woodwork.  Joseph W. Bettendorf, head of the Bettendorf Company, built his English manor style home in 1915 for his family and to entertain railroad magnates from the east.  The Mansion remained a residence of the Bettendorf family until it was sold to the Marist Society in 1959 and used as a seminary.  In 1973, St. Katharine's-St. Mark's School purchased the Mansion and moved the school from Davenport.  In 2002, the school was renamed Rivermont Collegiate, since it no longer had a religious affiliation.  In 1984, the Bettendorf Mansion was recognized for its historical significance to the people of Iowa and was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Annual Holiday Open House is a chance for the community to view the Bettendorf Mansion in all its splendor, beautifully decorated for the holidays.  Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  Drop in between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. for light refreshments and tours of this local gem!

This event is open to the public and dress is casual - please RSVP to Brittany Marietta at (563) 359-1366 ext. 301 or marietta@rvmt.org.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school for preschool through twelfth grade - visit us online at www.rivermontcollegiate.org.

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

-END-

02 Dec 2010

NEW GROUND THEATRE PRESENTS "THE GIFT OF THE MAGI"

By Rick Martin

DAVENPORT, IOWA - The O'Henry story, "The Gift of the Magi" will be presented by New Ground Theatre beginning December 10th at the Village Theatre in the Village of East Davenport. The classic holiday tale takes a musical look at newlyweds Della and Jim on Christmas Eve, 1903 as they try and buy the other the perfect present, each sacrificing for the one they love.

 

The cast includes the 2010 River Cities Reader Best Actor, Tristan Tapscott. He is joined by Kelly Lohrenz, along with Wendy Czekalski, Patrick Gimm and Zack Finn. Directed by Lora Adams, the musical is written by Peter Ekstrom and was a mainstay of the Christmas season at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

 

Showtimes are: December 10 and 11 at 7:30 pm, December 12 at 2:30 pm, December 14, 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 pm and December 19 at 2:30 pm.  Ticket prices are $15 and $13 for students and seniors. Tickets can be reserved by calling 563-326-7529.

 

"Several years ago Tristan and Cari Dowling did the show for me at my church" said Lora Adams. "It is such a sweet, family friendly, holiday story that I wanted to bring it to New Ground Theatre and Chris Jansen, New Ground's Artistic Director was happy to add a holiday show to the season."

 

Hot Apple cider and cookies will be available at the show which runs an hour long. "We want you to get a great big Christmas 'hug' when you enter the theatre," said Adams.

 

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30 Nov 2010

The Santaland Diaries opens Dec. 9 on The Old Creamery's Studio Stage

By Rick Martin

Amana - If it' s laughter you crave this holiday season, venture with us into the mind of best selling author David Sedaris as The Old Creamery Theatre Company presents his Santaland Diaries. Not your warm and fuzzy tale, but sure to make you laugh, The Old Creamery Theatre' s production opens Thursday, Dec. 9 on the Studio Stage at 3023 220th Trail in Middle Amana.


Featuring The Old Creamery' s Nicholas Hodge, this one-man show tells of the unique adventures of an actor working as an elf in Macy' s Santaland during the holiday season. Based on Sedaris' true experiences The Santaland Diaries debuted on National Public Radio' s Morning Edition.

The Santaland Diaries is rated theatre R and runs through Dec. 19. Show times are Thursdays, and Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 for adults and $15.50 for students. Reservations are recommended but walk-ins are always welcome if seats are available. Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for tickets or more information.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 39 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2010 season media sponsor.

22 Nov 2010

Showboatʼs It's A Wonderful Life Opens on Black Friday

By Rick Martin
"I can't think of a better way to get into the Christmas Spirit."  Patrick Stinson, Showboat Artistic Director and star of It's a Wonderful Life continues, "With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping we get lost in looking for deals and making sure our list is completely checked and we forget about the spirit of the holiday season.  It's A Wonderful Life is a fantastic reminder of why we go through the hassle to find the deals and the right gift for our loved ones.  In fact the first gift one should give is the gift of the Christmas spirit by attending our show."

Before It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play begins the audience is welcomed in with Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters and as the show starts the applause sign flashes and all are transported to a 1940's radio studio complete with a foley artist creating live sound effects and a children's choir proving background music.

A local cast of over 40 performers fill out the ensemble. "Rehearsals have been going great.  We started working on the show the first week of November and since early in the rehearsal process moments have been coming together and it's like I'm on the set with of a 1940's radio studio." says cast member and the show's music director Doug Kutzli.

Tickets for It's A Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play are available at the Showboat Box Office, hours are Fridays 4- 7 and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4 or by calling (563) 242-6760, and anytime online at www.clintonshowboat.org.  Tickets are $15.00 and season tickets for the 2011 Summer Season are available at a $20 discount until the show closes.

The Showboat is also kicking off its 2011 fundraising drive with this show.  "Tickets only cover about 70 percent of our operating costs.  Being a non-profit organization with the mission to bring quality professional theatre to Clinton we cannot do this without the community's help."  states Stinson.

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre has been in residence on the City of Clinton Showboat for over 20 years bringing the area tomorrows stars today.  Many of today's Broadway stars have graced the Showboat's stage in the last 20 years including 2000 and 2001 alum Jill Paice (Broadway's Curtains) and the 2003 alum Bryan Lefeber (Cirque's Love).  The Showboat has several sponsorship levels with many great incentives.  "Anyone can sponsor any amount and it will be used wisely to bring great theatre and arts education to the Showboat."  said Stinson.  The Showboat's website www.clintonshowboat.org has more information about sponsorships, incentives, and even a link to pledge online as well.

22 Nov 2010

The Old Creamery's Theatre for Young Audiences opens The Snow Queen Dec. 4

By Rick Martin
Amana - Come celebrate the power of love and friendship this holiday season at the Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences production of Hans Christian Anderson' s magical tale, The Snow Queen, opening Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. on the Main Stage in Amana.

The Snow Queen tells of a beautiful but evil Queen who casts a spell on innocent and unsuspecting Kai and takes him to her frozen castle, far away. Kai' s friend Gerda refuses to give up on her dear friend and begins the dangerous search for Kai, meeting many interesting characters along the way. Will Gerda ever find the icy palace and if so, will her love be strong enough to break the Snow Queen' s powerful spell to save her friend?

Directed by Sean McCall, the cast of The Snow Queen includes Ryan Gaffney of Manchester, Kamille Zbanek of Ely, Nicholas Hodge of Marion, Carrie Novell of New York and Jackie McCall of Marengo.

Rated Theatre G, The Snow Queen is sponsored by Scheels of Coralville and Alliant Energy Foundation with Mix 96.5 as the show' s media sponsor. Show times are Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $7.50 per person for general admission seating.

Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for tickets or more information.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 39 years of  bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2010 season media sponsor.
11 Nov 2010

Winter Bird Feeding Program Slated

By Lisa Gerwulf

On Saturday, November 20th at 10:00 A.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host a program on winter bird feeding. Come learn how you can attract and feed our common feathered friends on any budget.  Simple supplies can get you started right in your own backyard.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

 

08 Nov 2010

RIVERMONT THESPIANS PROVIDE EVENING OF LAUGHS!

By Brittany Marietta

Nightmare sailors, zombie pirates, and hypnotizing mermaids - oh, my!  Join us as Rivermont Collegiate thespians in grades 6-12 present a snappy comedy featuring a play within a play!  As the story goes, the star of a popular pirate play is the heartthrob of every teenage girl in Shakespearean England until the cast is kidnapped by real pirates during one of their productions.  Hilarious antics ensue as the heartthrob pirate Frank and his supporting cast, including prima donna Esmerelda, say goodbye to stardom and hello to servitude on a real pirate ship.  Rivermont students have perfected a performance of The Fearsome Pirate Frank that will provide laughs long after the curtain closes!

Join us Friday, November 12th and Saturday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium on the Rivermont Collegiate campus, located at 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf (directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware).  Tickets are $5 at the door.  This event is open to the community!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate contact Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.


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