23 Aug 2021

It's Not Easy Fleeing Green: “Murder in Green Meadows,” at the Black Box Theatre through August 28

By Madeline Dudziak

Spending Friday night at the Black Box Theatre was like joining a master class in manipulation with the venue's latest production Murder in Green Meadows. While I wish director Jacqueline Isaacson had been slightly less specific about the number of gunshots in the production during her pre-show announcement, as it became a bit of a spoiler as the night progressed, the evening overall was enjoyable.

16 Aug 2021

Clause for Concern: “The Whistleblower’s Dilemma,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through August 22

By Madeline Dudziak

Any time you have the chance to catch a brand-new script in performance, it’s bound to be interesting. Local playwright Jim Sederquist kicked us back to 2013 with his new dramedy The Whistleblower’s Dilemma, and, under the direction of Mike Turczynski, Saturday’s presentation at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre definitely lived up to “interesting.”

02 Aug 2021

One Strike, One Ball: Countryside Community Theatre’s “Newsies: The Musical,” at North Scott High School through August 8

By Madeline Dudziak

While Friday’s opening night for Countryside Community Theatre’s production of Newsies: The Musical didn’t completely change my mind about the plot points (why is “Santa Fe” now the opening number?!), director/choreographer Ashley Mills Becher’s version packed big punches of fun and personality that made the night undeniably exciting.

19 Jul 2021

Caught in a Bad Romance: Genesis Guild’s “Hippolytus” at Lincoln Park through July 25

By Madeline Dudziak

This past weekend, in all its masked glory, Genesius Guild’s Hippolytus featured gorgeous face coverings designed by Daitlyn Duffy and fitted by Bob Hanske, and these were certainly not your typical COVID-era face masks, either; they were works of art that amazingly kept mouths uncovered. When paired with Sara Wegner’s absolutely beautiful costumes, I was swept up in the story before anyone said a single word.

19 Jul 2021

Family Dis-chord: August Wilson's “The Piano Lesson,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through July 25

By Madeline Dudziak

Family history can often be synonymous with family drama. And anyone who has ever argued over ownership of a family heirloom with their sibling will probably appreciate the Playcrafters Barn Theatre's current production.

12 Jul 2021

How Swede It Is: Quad City Music Guild’s “Mamma Mia!”, at the Prospect Park Auditorium through July 18

By Madeline Dudziak

Once Mamma Mia!'s overture started and the curtains opened – my my – it was nothing short of theatre magic.

05 Jul 2021

Bard and Noble: Genesius Guild’s “Shakespeare’s Life in his Works,” at Lincoln Park through July 11

By Madeline Dudziak

Many questions were raised this last Fourth-of-July weekend, such as: Do you prefer hot dogs or hamburgers? Which summertime dessert should you bring to the barbeque? Most importantly: How much do you really know about Shakespeare? While the first two questions are a mere matter of opinion, Genesius Guild looks forward to helping you better answer that third question with the company's latest production Shakespeare’s Life in His Works.

17 Jun 2021

Pigment of Your Imagination: The Mississippi Bend Players' “Red,” at Augustana College through June 20

By Madeline Dudziak

I feel confident in giving Red two thumbs up, but should you attend for yourself and disagree with me … . Well, I think that’s exactly the point of director Cait Bodenbender’s production: You can choose for yourself as long as you do so from a place of honesty.

14 Jun 2021

Fancy/Pool/Costume-Party Animals: “Elephant & Piggie's 'We Are in a Play!,'” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through July 2

By Madeline Dudziak

Did you hear the energetic trumpeting coming from Rock Island this past weekend? Because Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” debuted on the Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse stage and was chock full of trumpets, both of the elephantine and brass-instrumental variety. Director Kim Kurtenbach kept the energy in this production high and the overall experience was a joy – a veritable celebration of friendship.

07 Jun 2021

Bully in a China Shop: “Princeton’s Rage,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through June 13

By Madeline Dudziak

There’s an adage “hurt people hurt people.” It's a cliché, certainly, but it sums up the experience currently on the Playcrafters Barn Theatre stage. Friday was the opening night for Princeton’s Rage, written by local playwright Don Faust, and under the direction of Madison Duling, the evening was full of emotions and pain, but also well-needed healing.

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