Quad City Music Guild’s Meet Me in St. Louis seems to me a beautifully gift-wrapped empty box. Designer Kevin Pieper’s sets are grand and detailed with touches, such as light fixtures and curtains, that are appropriate for the piece's 1904 setting. Sara Laufer’s choreography fits the feel of the songs, exuding high-energy fun without being overdone. Costume designer Cindy Monroe’s period creations are gorgeous – particularly the women’s feathered, wide-brimmed hats. And the actors are, for the most part, in fine voice, and offer cheerily spirited characterizations. I enjoyed the sights and sounds during Thursday’s performance. The story, however, barely interested me.

On any given day, the musical I consider my all-time favorite will either be Sweeney Todd or Guys & Dolls ... unless that day is the day after I’ve seen a production of Guys & Dolls, in which case it’s the clear winner. Heaven knows there are plenty of entertaining, tune-filled warhorses from Broadway’s golden era, but do any of them have the effervescent fizz and pop of composer/lyricist Frank Loesser’s 1950 triumph, a beautifully constructed musical comedy so funny and clever and sweet that it can keep you happy and humming for hours – like, 100 hours – after it ends?

Based on the reputation of the Tuna plays and remembering how heartily I laughed during a recent production of A Tuna Christmas, I expected the original piece in the series, Greater Tuna, to be, well, funnier. That’s not to say that the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre’s production of this comedy isn’t without laughs – they’re just not side-splitting ones. Still, thanks to the two actors who impressively handle 20 roles between them, director James Fairchild’s staging of authors' Jaston Williams’, Joe Sears’, and Ed Howard’s play is adequately diverting, and good for an evening’s entertainment.

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors kicks off with the promise of a lot of fun. The opening, titular doo-wop number is full of spirit (aided by choreographer Brian Cowing’s homage to ’50s-era backup singers) and is well sung by the trio of street urchins – played by Monique Abry, Heather Botts, and Nyla Watson – who showcase impressive solo belt voices and tight harmonies. With my head bopping and my lips longing to sing along, I believed I was in for a raucous good time during Friday’s performance. However, the Showboat’s production wilts as the carnivorous plant at the center of the action grows.