07 Apr 2025

Poe Boy: “The Tell-Tale Farce,” at Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through April 13

By Madeline Dudziak

Defined as a comedic work that employs buffoonery and horseplay, farce typically includes crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations. And on opening night, director Elizabeth Shaffer hit the nail on the head, because her production isn’t trying to be anything else.

31 Mar 2025

The Buccaneers Stop Here: “How I Became a Pirate,” at the Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse through April 19

By Madeline Dudziak

Based on the kids’ picture book written by Melinda Long and illustrated by David Shannon, this upbeat little musical will leave you practicing your pirate vernacul-arrr and perhaps even wishing to sail the seven seas in pursuit of doubloons.

17 Mar 2025

Agatha, All Along: “The Stranger,” at the Black Box Theatre through March 23

By Madeline Dudziak

The art-deco ties for the gentlemen and lovely dresses on the ladies made the whole evening feel like a true blast from the past.

17 Feb 2025

War Correspondence: “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” at the Black Box Theatre through March 1

By Madeline Dudziak

It’s rare to find a piece of theatre that’s endearingly sweet without being schmaltzy, but that is exactly what the Black Box Theatre currently offers with Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise.

02 Dec 2024

Secret Santa Baby: “Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 29

By Madeline Dudziak

Everyone knows that Christmas is a time for peace on Earth and goodwill to men. Unless, of course, you’re an ever-opinionated but lovable first-grader who, in director Kiera Lynn's Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells, is brought from page to stage, hilariously, by portrayer Natalie Scheers.

18 Nov 2024

Guest-ing Game: “My Son Is Crazy, but Promising,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through November 24

By Madeline Dudziak

Directed by Dana Skiles, My Son Is Crazy, but Promising boasts 15 actors, and while about half of the characters don’t especially move the plot along, there wasn’t anyone who didn’t bring their “A” game.

21 Oct 2024

Long-Distance Kill: “Dial M for Murder,” at the Black Box Theatre through November 2

By Madeline Dudziak

The scenes featuring Savannah Bay Strandin and Stephanie Moeller were particularly engaging highlights of this Dial M for Murder.

16 Sep 2024

Southern Discomfort: “A Streetcar Named Desire,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through September 22

By Madeline Dudziak

“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Or so goes the quip famously attributed to Benjamin Franklin – and 157 years after Franklin’s death, Tennessee Williams’ renowned A Streetcar Named Desire was first performed, perfectly embodying Franklin’s quote.

19 Aug 2024

Dough-Play: “The Money in Uncle George’s Suitcase,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through August 25

By Madeline Dudziak

I’ll admit it: When I read the plot description of the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre's latest offering, The Money in Uncle George’s Suitcase, I presumed it was going to be a slightly predictable but funny little story.

05 Aug 2024

It Takes a Village: Quad City Music Guild’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through August 11

By Madeline Dudziak

If you’re anything like me, from the moment you step into the Prospect Park Auditorium, you’ll be swept away by the stark and rickety set that is the little village of Anatevka, and the fact that the titular Fiddler is already just chilling on the roof. You might miss Josiah Wollan initially – he kind of blends in and the set is merely backlit – but his humanity emanates from time to time in small movements ... or, at least, it did at Friday’s opening-night performance of Quad City Music Guild's Fiddler on the Roof.

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Poe Boy: “The Tell-Tale Farce,” at Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through April 13

The Buccaneers Stop Here: “How I Became a Pirate,” at the Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse through April 19

Agatha, All Along: “The Stranger,” at the Black Box Theatre through March 23

War Correspondence: “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” at the Black Box Theatre through March 1

Secret Santa Baby: “Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 29

Guest-ing Game: “My Son Is Crazy, but Promising,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through November 24

Long-Distance Kill: “Dial M for Murder,” at the Black Box Theatre through November 2

Southern Discomfort: “A Streetcar Named Desire,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through September 22

Dough-Play: “The Money in Uncle George’s Suitcase,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through August 25

It Takes a Village: Quad City Music Guild’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through August 11

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Search form

Pages

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Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

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

Subscribe!

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

Click this link to Subscribe now.