03 Jul 2018

“Busybody,” July 12 through 22

By Reader Staff

Continuing its 50th-anniversary season of audience-favorite revivals, Geneseo's Richmond Barn Theatre will present, from July 12 through 22, author Jack Popplewell's mystery-comedy Busybody with Jackie Skiles returning to her beloved 2009 role as Cockney housekeeper Lily, a turn that inspired the River Cities' Reader to rave, “Beyond the beauty of her timing, everything about the actress' portrayal is right on the money.”

03 Jul 2018

Genesius Guild's “The Merchant of Venice,” July 14 through 22

By Reader Staff

One of William Shakespeare's most famous, powerful, and controversial comedies will be staged in Rock Island's Lincoln Park July 14 through 22, as Genesius Guild takes on the Bard's The Merchant of Venice, a legendary work that has inspired numerous film adaptations and three stage operas, with its 1989 Broadway revival earning a Tony Award nomination for star Dustin Hoffman.

02 Jul 2018

Sea Breeze: “The Little Mermaid,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through July 8

By Rochelle Arnold

It was a sweltering-hot day this past Saturday in the Quad Cities, but it was quite refreshing being under the sea with the cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre. As I sat back in my seat enjoying the music, I heard the precious young girl seated behind me sweetly singing along with the teenage mermaid Ariel (Aria Braswell) in a very soft voice. I realized then how powerful and influential this musical fantasy was, and still is, for children everywhere.

02 Jul 2018

Firestarter: Genesius Guild's “Prometheus Bound,” at Lincoln Park through July 8

By Madeline Dudziak

Heat-advisory warning notwithstanding, Genesius Guild's staging of Prometheus Bound in Rock Island’s Lincoln Park was an experience not to be missed. As with most Greek tragedies, there is a moral dilemma that can give audiences insight into their lives, and director Michael Callahan staged a meaningful production that remains relevant 2,500 years after it was was written. (Who would have guessed we’d still be battling tyrants?)

27 Jun 2018

Quad City Music Guild's “A Chorus Line,” July 6 through 15

By Reader Staff

Winner of nine Tony Awards, and the rare musical to also win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Broadway's legendary A Chorus Line will enjoy its first-ever Quad City Music Guild presentation July 6 through 15, demonstrating why the 1976 New York production ran a staggering 6,137 performances, and why the New York Times called its debut “a smoke signal to the world that the musical can touch unexpected depths in the human heart.”

25 Jun 2018

A Finn Time Had by All: The Mississippi Bend Players' “Big River,” at Augustana College through July 1

By Rochelle Arnold

Bravo to the Mississippi Bend Players for magnificently transporting patrons back in time – back to when Huckleberry Finn (Quinn Rigg) and his humble slave companion Jim (LaRon Grant) traveled along the banks of the Mississippi River on a meager log raft – in the powerful musical Big River. Friday's opening-night performance at Augustana College's Brunner Theatre Center was simply stunning, with the entire cast reminding me why I love the fine arts.

25 Jun 2018

Rockin' Role: “Hedwig & the Angry Inch,” at the Circa '21 Speakeasy through June 30

By Madeline Dudziak

There’s a new band in town – and they’re only around for two more nights. It’s Hedwig & the Angry Inch, and the Circa '21 Speakeasy is the perfect venue for a show that is simply a rock concert. With just enough Quad City references thrown in to make it seem like an actual tour, Hedwig (Anthony Natarelli) and her band (Kyle Jecklin on bass, Peter Letendre on drums, and Ben Kays on guitar) take you on a captivating musical recollection of the headliner's life.

25 Jun 2018

Ms. Dawn Goes to Washington: “Born Yesterday,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through June 30

By Madeline Dudziak

Garson Kanin’s Born Yesterday was a Broadway hit in 1946, and while the subject matter holds up 72 years later, it isn’t strictly necessary that it does. While there are some parallels to be drawn from the Timber Lake Playhouse’s production and today’s society, the audience at Friday night’s performance didn’t seem to dwell on them, as director Chuck Smith put forth a straightforward comedy that elicited some chuckles but probably not intense political discussions.

19 Jun 2018

“Prometheus Bound,” June 30 through July 8

By Reader Staff

A classic stage work that, according to the New York Times, is “rich in poetic imagery” while demonstrating that “even for the Greek gods, what goes around comes around,” Aeschylus' Greek tragedy Prometheus Bound serves as the latest production in Gensius Guild's 2018 season, its June 30 through July 8 presentation enacted by a cast of 16 and with its chief characters performing in period-appropriate masks.

18 Jun 2018

What to Expect While They're Expecting: “Baby,” at the Black Box Theatre through June 23

By Jeff Ashcraft

Every summer, the Quad Cities is blessed with an extensive live-theatre scene, and the months are crowded with show after show. Many of them are epic or extravagant productions such as Mame, The Marriage of Figaro, Beauty & the Beast, The Bridges of Madison Country, The Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ Superstar … and those are just examples from the first half of June.

But then there are the smaller, more intimate ones. Presentations of works that you’ve maybe never heard of. Things that sound interesting but are overshadowed by bigger, more well-known titles. Shows such as the Black Box Theatre’s musical offering Baby – which may well prove to be the sweetest, most heartfelt, and most authentic musical you’ll see all season long.

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Amy Alkon Advice Goddess, Real Astrology, Red Meat cartoon and RCR Crossword every week?) 

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Theatre Calendars

Submit your event listings to calendar@rcreader.com