04 Dec 2017

Trailer Park and Recreation: “Doublewide, Texas,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through December 10

By Mike Schulz

Despite its a cappella rendition of “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and repeated employment of the clever, catchy Unknown Hinson song “I Cleaned Out a Room (in My Trailer for You)” during scene changes, no one could mistake the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's season-ending presentation for a musical. But in director John VanDeWoestyne's Doublewide, Texas, the character attire designed and gathered by costumer Suzanne DeReu is so eye-catching, and so abundant, that it's almost as though this lightweight Southern comedy were instead a lavish Broadway spectacle boasting a cast of 90 and special appearance by the Rockettes. And the Rockettes wouldn't have been funny.

30 Nov 2017

Annie Get Your Sun … Tomorrow: Quad City Music Guild's “Annie,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through December 3

By Victoria Navarro

I’m no Brainiac, but I do know this about musicals: When you put together a group of 13 adorable and talented little girls led by a plucky redhead who can sing her heart out, add a rags-to-riches tale enhanced with memorable tunes and dance numbers, and then throw in a scruffy dog that takes stage direction, you’ve got a crowd-pleaser on your hands!

28 Nov 2017

Ballet Quad Cities' “The Nutcracker,” December 9 and 10

By Reader Staff

One of the area's most adored holiday traditions returns to Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 9 and 10, when the professional talents of Ballet Quad Cities perform Tchaikovsky's holiday dance classic The Nutcracker in a presentation boasting new choreography by director (and BQC Artistic Director) Courtney Lyon and live accompaniment courtesy of Orchestra Iowa.

28 Nov 2017

“La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas,” December 9 and 10

By Reader Staff

An operatic legend will celebrated on-stage when Shelley Cooper, Augustana College's new Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, brings her one-woman show La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas to the Brunner Theatre Center for a two-night tribute to the iconic figure that legendary composer Leonard Bernstein called “the Bible of opera.”

28 Nov 2017

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” December 7 through 16

By Reader Staff

Described by the New York Times as “effortlessly endearing” and by Variety magazine as “enormously satisfying,” The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee closes the Black Box Theatre's debut season, demonstrating why composer William Finn's celebrated 2005 musical comedy received two Tony Awards and enjoyed a Broadway run of 1,136 performances.

27 Nov 2017

Either/Or(nament): "Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas," at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 26

By Dee Canfield

I love going to the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse – not just for the great shows, but for the memories that the old theatre brings. And on the day after Thanksgiving, I had the good fortune to take my eight year-old grandson John to the opening matinée of Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas, Circa '21's current children’s musical under the direction of Andrea Moore.

20 Nov 2017

“Cinderella,” December 2 and 3

By Reader Staff

An independent-minded heroine, a 1980s-themed Royal Ball, a man in a dress, and a six-foot-three-inch actor playing a character named “Pipsqueak” are among the delights lined up for St. Ambrose University's family production Cinderella, an updated take on the classic fairytale by local playwright Roger Pavey.

15 Nov 2017

“Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas,” November 24 through December 26

By Reader Staff

Following the success of its 2015 family comedy Fancy Nancy: The Musical, Circa '21 presents another stage adventure with author Jane O'Connor's famed children's-book character in Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas, a holiday-themed musical that inspired praise from the New York Times: “What makes Splendiferous Christmas winning is that it dares to be a little naughty as well as nice.”

14 Nov 2017

“Doublewide, Texas,” November 30, through December 10

By Reader Staff

Arriving at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre a mere two years after its world premiere, the comedy Doublewide, Texas is the latest Southern farce by the popular playwriting team of Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, whose numerous stage hits – all recently produced in the area – include The Dixie Swim Club, Mama Won't Fly, Always a Bridesmaid, and The Red Velvet Cake War.

14 Nov 2017

“Annie,” November 29 through December 3

By Reader Staff

Winner of seven 1977 Tony Awards and one of the 25 longest-running musicals in Broadway history, the iconic comic-strip adaptation Annie will be brought to life by Quad City Music Guild November 29 through December 3, its pre-opening sales so strong that a rare matinée performance has been added for Saturday, December 2.

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