MOLINE, ILLINOIS (July 13, 2023) — They say the show must go on and due to a health crisis and the tragic demolition of a building housing another theatre (Mockingbird on Main), The Black Box Theatre will not be presenting “Rock of Ages” this August, but will provide new offerings during the month as well as providing a home for two shows that had been scheduled for Mockingbird.
August 11 and 12, 7:30PM and 13, 2PM: Jenny Lind: The Real PT Barnum, created and starring Shelley Cooper
When Jenny Lind came to America, to tour with “The Greatest Showman,” PT Barnum, she witnessed a nation torn apart over slavery. She embarked on a headline-grabbing tour that shared the spotlight with a political maelstrom. This one-woman opera show fact-checks The Greatest Showman, and the real reason Jenny Lind (also known as the “Swedish Nightingale”) quit the tour. Jenny Lind was uncomfortable with Barnum’s relentless marketing of her and his questionable moral compass, or lack thereof. Eavesdrop on Jenny’s final, brave confrontation of PT Barnum and enjoy some operatic gems from Jenny Lind’s concert tour. This show was made possible by an Augustana College Wallenberg Grant and had its world premiere at the Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles, California, as an official selection for Solofest. This production is also an official selection for the IUGTE 20th Anniversary event in Austria (July 2023) and an official selection for the Fort Worth Fringe Festival (September 2023). Directed by Michelle Crouch with accompanist Luke Tyler.
Tickets are $16
August 17, 18, 19 at 7:30PM, and 20 at 2PM: Big Rock Candy Mountain created by Tristan Tapscott and Danny White
If you’re a fan of the film O Brother Where Art Thou? and the Circa ‘21 favorite "Southern Crossroads", you’re going to love Big Rock Candy Mountain.
A merry band of misfits sneak into a theatre hoping to stay out of trouble, but instead find themselves front and center in this story about the power of music and second chances.
Add a down-on-her-luck theatre owner and her wacky assistant, a clueless town mayor, his scheming wife, and a bumbling sheriff, and you've got yourself an evening of music and fun that will have you grinning from ear to ear!
Tickets are $16.
August 26 and 27 at 7:34PM
Haus of Ruckus
Deep in the American southwest lurks a terrifying antlered rabbit of unbelievable skill. And fur.” Haus of Ruckus presents a remastered Elgin Fringe festival-ready version of Jacques Alope. Come see the surreal buddy comedy Pamela Briggs called “decidedly professional” about two friends and their quest to defeat this French cryptid and make it to Burning Man on time. It’s the same irreverent one-act with the same cartoonish characters, live music, and puppets. Perfect for first-time viewers or seventh-grade time viewers. Rated PG13 for adult language and themes. Come wish Haus of Ruckus good luck at Elgin Fringe, at the Black Box Theatre, August 26 and 27, 7:34PM. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Tickets are available at theblackboxtheatre.com.
