08 Jun 2026

The Perils of Being a Wallflower: Genesius Guild’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost" through June 14

By Madeline Dudziak

I admit that at Saturday’s opening-night performance, I was initially confused when Genesius Guild's Andy Shearouse explained both the entire plot of William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost and that the set was designed to represent the inner workings of a broken cuckoo clock. One might think both concepts would be self-explanatory. But alas, they were not. In the end, I was grateful for the introductory explanation.

18 May 2026

Joie de Diva: “Master Class,” at the Black Box Theatre through May 24

By Madeline Dudziak

Pairing up with Opera Quad Cities proves to be a recipe for greatness at the Black Box Theatre, because make no mistake: There's something truly special about Master Class.

05 May 2026

From Russia, with Love: “Fiddler on the Roof,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through June 27

By Madeline Dudziak

Fiddler on the Roof is often considered one of the final entries in the Golden Age of Broadway era, a period defined by sweeping scores, big ensembles, and stories rooted deeply in character and community. Director Georgette Kleier’s production checks nearly every one of those boxes handily.

20 Apr 2026

Taking the Barn by Storm: “The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through April 26

By Madeline Dudziak

It felt almost like kismet that The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church unfolded during a wild storm that washed out a bridge and stranded its ladies at the church, because the chaos outside mirrored what was happening on stage.

30 Mar 2026

Scanning the QC Code: “The Adventures of Sam Steele: A Radio Play,” at the Black Box Theatre through April 4

By Madeline Dudziak

Jeff Adamson, clearly delighted by the room’s laughter on its opening-night performance, leaned into the humor with visible enthusiasm, which only seemed to widen the gap between the show’s tone and my own reaction to it.

23 Feb 2026

love language: Barely There Theatre’s “word play,” at the Black Box Theatre through February 28

By Madeline Dudziak

What do you get when four young adults’ lives are entangled with one another, yet the full picture doesn’t come into focus until the final moments? You get word play, written by fellow Reader reviewer Alexander Richardson: a tightly woven one-act that asks its audience to lean in, listen closely, and trust the unraveling.

02 Feb 2026

Tri-Cycle: Barely There Theatre’s “What Might Have Been,” at the Black Box Theatre through February 7

By Madeline Dudziak

What a night of theatre Thursday night’s What Might Have Been opening proved to be.

01 Dec 2025

Retirement Gnome: “Santa Claus: The Musical,” at the Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse through December 21

By Madeline Dudziak

Harry and Marv. The Grinch. Mr. Potter. Hans Gruber. All of the other reindeer. There is no shortage of Christmas villains, and most are memorable. Yet after seeing Friday’s performance of Santa Claus: The Musical at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, I’m ready to add the name Henchy to the list.

17 Nov 2025

The Parents Trapp: Quad City Music Guild's “The Sound of Music,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through November 23

By Madeline Dudziak

A handful of transitions land a little differently on stage, which can take a moment to adjust to if the classic film is your primary Sound of Music reference point. Luckily, if you’re willing to be a little flexible, director David Blakely’s production is most enjoyable overall.

10 Nov 2025

Holiday Chestnut: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 28

By Madeline Dudziak

It’s a long-running joke at our house that I get Irving Berlin’s Christmas-y shows confused, as both feature his music and plots about saving a small-town lodging facility from financial dire straits. So to be clear: The Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse is not currently staging Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, but rather Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, directed and choreographed by Ashley Becher. And if you’re in the mood for a little holiday fun, you will not be disappointed.

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