Both the year and the theatrical season are winding down for a long winter’s nap, and the Timber Lake Playhouse’s final production of 2024 could not offer a more pleasant nightcap. Directed and choreographed by Marquez Stewart, and featuring some surprisingly effective audience participation, Winter Wonderettes is a wonderful dose of theatre to fully get you in the spirit of the season.

Shakespeare is the staple of theatre and has been for centuries. Augustana College’s latest production, The Comedy of Errors, presents one of the Bard’s more oft-told tales: that of two twins with identical names who get into increasingly absurd situations. Directed with aplomb by Jeff Coussens, this is a classic story for fans of laughter.

The Quad Cities’ theatre season is beginning to wind down for the year. So it follows that the holiday season must be ramping up, and the final production of Quad City Music Guild’s 76th season, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, is staged with plenty of charm by director Kevin Pieper, offering a pleasant-enough teaser of the tidings to come.

Ripcord, now playing at the Spotlight Theatre, is a hoot, as well as an all-too-relatable piece of storytelling for those with ornery parents or grandparents. Sharply directed by Jessica Taylor, and featuring an incredible cast, this show is a charming addition to a long summer season.

The Marvelous Wonderettes, directed by Ryan Scoble, is the closing production of the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s 2024 season, and what a sendoff! Featuring gorgeous vocals, fun choreography, and enough nostalgia to give you a toothache, this production is a must-see for those who grew up in the '50s and '60s, or anyone who’s a fan of those eras of music.

The summer-theatre season trundles on with the latest from the Timber Lake Playhouse: The Wizard of Oz. While it features some strong performances, a children’s choir double digits strong, and even an acting dog, certain directing choices made by Chaz Wolcott hinder this timeless classic.

The Timber Lake Playhouse’s latest production, Anything Goes, is a freaking hoot and a wonderful time out in the woods for fans of laughter and dazzling musical-theatre numbers. Directed by Tommy Ranieri, this Cole Porter classic practically hums with all the energy radiating off stage. Featuring some killer tech, knockout performances, and more camp than you conceive, this is a summer crowd-pleaser to see.

Directed by Patti Flaherty, the Playcrafters Barn Theatre’s Bad Seed is a thriller in the vein of Stephen King that features strong performances and enough chills to combat the hot summer air. It’s also a fun night out for those looking for something different than your standard theatrical fare.

The Quad Cities’ summer-theatre season is finally underway and Quad City Music Guild’s production of A Little Night Music, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by Hugh Wheeler, and directed by Colleen Houlihan, is a good start to it, boasting strong performances and some killer vocals.

It must be summer again, because I’m back to making the trek upstate to Timber Lake’s cozy playhouse in the woods. And as directed by Jay Berkow, their 2024 opener, The Nerd, is a crowd-pleasing comedy that features strong performances and solid jokes.

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