Praised by Broadway World as "a true celebration of female friendship and empowerment," as well as "a joyful and spirited production with a moving backdrop of loss," the empowering musical dramedy Calendar Girls makes its area debut with a June 22 through 26 run at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre, this enchanting stage piece based on true events and a beloved 2003 film a work that, according to The Guardian, "suggests the story has now achieved its ideal form."

For the venerated classical-theatre company's latest season of performances in Rock Island's Lincoln Park, Genesius Guild is opening its 2022 lineup with perhaps the most beloved – and certainly the most famous – tragic romance of all time, with William Shakespeare's timeless Romeo & Juliet being performed June 18 through 26 by a gifted cast almost wholly composed of actors who are also high-schoolers.

After a rough few weeks, I wanted a diversion. So even though I hadn't read the Natalie Babbitt novel on which it's based, I was happy to attend Thursday's final dress and tech rehearsal for Tuck Everlasting at the Spotlight Theatre. I left feeling both impressed and refreshed.

Honesty is the best policy – except, apparently, when it comes to what’s currently playing at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre, because Here Lies Jeremy Troy is one heck of a play on words. It turns out that Jeremy Troy – a lawyer seven years into his career, played by Matthew McConville – isn’t dying; he’s lying. But I am being completely honest when I say Thursday’s opening night for director Dana Skiles’ show was full of humor as the characters tried to work themselves out of these lies.