Pinocchio opens October 1st at The Old Creamery Theatre

Amana - All he wants is to be a real boy, but his lies and his nose keep getting in the way! Join The Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences for the retelling of a classic. Pinocchio opens Saturday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in Amana and runs through Oct. 15.

This beloved Italian story will be brought to life through the classic theatrical tradition of "Commedia dell'Arte." Using sound effects, masks and lots of humor, the characters in this play will be truly unforgettable.

The cast of Pinocchio consists of John Hill of Rockford, Illinois; Andrew Bosworth of Holly Springs, North Carolina; Laura Ambrose of Minneapolis, Minnesota.; Nicholas Hodge of South Amana; and Kamille Zbanek of Ely. Directed by Sean McCall of Marengo, Pinocchio was adapted from Carlo Collodi 's classic Italian tale by Johnny Simons.

Tickets for Pinocchio are $8 per person and all seating is reserved. Reservations are highly recommended. Show times are Saturdays at 1 p.m., Oct. 1 and 8 with two shows on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2011 season media sponsor.

CARMEN This Saturday September 24th only! 2:00pm & 8:00pm.

Ballet Quad Cities presents Deanna Carter's one-act classic tale of love, lust, jealousy and murder this Saturday at the Adler Theatre.

Opening the performance will be the return of the fan-favorite "Delicatessen" by choreographer Lynn Andrews

Tickets are $14, $18, $22

Sponsored by: The Adler Theatre Foundation

Introduces bill to help rehabilitation in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Des Moines, Davenport, Centerville, Corning and Bloomfield

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced legislation to help rebuild Iowa communities that have been damaged by natural disasters.  The Rebuilding Communities Act extends important tax breaks for the historic tax credit and rehabilitation tax credit, targeted at flooded Midwestern areas for an additional three years. By providing these tax credits to help damaged communities rebuild, they are able to complete important historic rehabilitation development projects and bring numerous employment opportunities back to these areas.

"It is vital that we give flooded cities the tools to continue to renovate and rebuild," said Rep. Braley. "I continue to work hard to help Iowans recover from the floods and tornadoes of 2008, as well as the most recent flooding this summer. Recovering from damage sustained from these disasters takes years, and now is not the time to let this disaster recovery tax credit expire."

"Iowa communities are resilient, but they need support as they rebuild from the damage and destruction these disasters caused.  Helping our communities rebuild after they have been hit by a natural disaster is a critical step on the road to recovery. Ensuring that our communities have the ability to rebuild means increased job creation and faster economic recovery."

The Rebuilding Communities Act will extend tax provisions originally passed in 2008 in the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act.  Included in the legislation were provisions to give tax credits to rehabilitate buildings in communities that were damaged or destroyed by Midwest disasters. Cities throughout Iowa, including Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Bloomfield, Centerville, Corning and Des Moines would all benefit from the extension of these tax breaks.

In 2008, the historic tax credit was raised from 20% to 26% of qualified expenditures for any certified historic structure.  The rehabilitation credit was raised from 10% to 13% of qualified expenditures for certain other buildings undergoing rehabilitation.  Currently, these tax breaks are set to expire on December 31, 2011.  The Rebuilding Communities Act would extend these tax breaks for 3 years, through December 31, 2014.

What: Carmen

Who:  Ballet Quad Cities

When:  September 24th

2:00pm and 8:00pm

Where:  The Adler Theatre

136 East Third Street

Davenport, IA 52801

Ticket Prices: $14, $18, $22

Ticket Purchase: Tickets will go on sale Thursday, September 15 at 10:00 a.m.  Tickets will be available at the Adler Theatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 and Ticketmaster outlets.

A story of passion, jealousy, obsession and death, Carmen is the timeless tale of a feisty gypsy involved in a fated love-triangle, set to the unforgettable music of Bizet, Deanna Carter breathes new life into this classic story with all new, contemporary choreography. Sleek costumes with an unexpected set design and spectacular lighting help set the stage for an emotionally charged performance.

Also featured in this performance is Delicatessan with choreography by Bettendorf native Lynn Andrews. This piece has been described as witty, exuberant, and sassy.

For more information about this performance please contact Joedy Cook at 309-786-3779 or email her at jcookballetqc@sbcglobal.net.

Galesburg, IL.   The Orpheum Theatre announced its 2011-12 line-up of education programs for pre-kindergarten through fifth grades today.  The theater's annual Lights! Camera! Learn! program brings nationally-touring musical productions to the community that are based on literary and/or historical studies appropriate to the current academic curriculum.  Significant grants and contributions allow the Orpheum Theatre to offer the program at no cost to schools, parents or students (except the cost of transportation).  Reservations are required and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first installment of the Lights! Camera! Learn! program is a production of "We the People" presented by TheatreWorks USA which brings American government textbooks to life.  It's a new musical revue that sets civics lessons to a rock and roll beat and addresses democracy, elections, the two legislative houses, constitutional amendments and diplomacy.  The show encourages young people to get involved and make a difference.  "We the People" is offered for fourth and fifth grade students on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The second installment of the Lights! Camera! Learn! program, "Jigsaw Jones," is a perennial favorite of teachers and students alike.  Theodore "Jigsaw" Jones is his school's self-proclaimed detective.  When someone in Mrs. Gleason's class begins playing practical jokes it's up to Jigsaw Jones and his friend Mila to catch the culprit.  Brimming with music, charm, and humor, ArtsPower's new production - based on the book by renowned author James Preller - will make audiences laugh and think as they learn the secret codes that Jigsaw must decipher to solve the mystery.  "Jigsaw Jones: The Case of the Class Clown" is offered for second and third grade students on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The final installment of the Lights! Camera! Learn! program is also an ArtsPower production and draws from the popular Kids of the Polk Street School series by two-time Newbery Honor-winning author Patricia Reilly Giff.  "Fish Face" tells the tale of Emily Arrow who is great at everything; that is, until a new girl in school proves to be better at anything Emily can do.  When the new girl steals Emily's beloved unicorn, Emily must learn a few things about honesty and growing up.  "Fish Face" is offered for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade students on Tuesday, February 13, 2012 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Orpheum Theatre's Lights! Camera! Learn! program is open to all public, private and home schools at no cost due, in part, to generous funding from the Galesburg Community Foundation, Galesburg CUSD #205, the Illinois Arts Council, BNSF Railway Foundation, businesses and individuals.

Reservations for all Lights! Camera! Learn! programs are required and seating is limited.  Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more information about the Orpheum Theatre's education program or to make reservations, please call 309-342-2299 or email tickets@theorpheum.org.

The Orpheum Theatre contributes to the region's quality of life by providing quality entertainment and education opportunities and programs; and serves as a civic gathering place and tourism partner for our communities.

#   #   #   #

Studio Roll: Behind Closed Doors

WHERE: Quad City Arts Center Gallery, Rock Island

WHEN: Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 @ 2 pm 

COST: $50 per tour

On October 23rd, 2011 Quad City Arts takes off on "Studio Roll: Behind Closed Doors" a tour of three area artist's studios that the public doesn't have access to. A limited number of tickets are available for a seat on the "Go Loopy" art bus where guests will be treated to refreshments, trivia, music, socializing and beautiful fall vistas enroute to painter David Murray's Geneseo studio, painter Lee Kimball's Orion studio and Mark Fowler's glass studio in Rock Island. The five hour tour finishes up at Quad City Arts where guests can browse the gallery, enjoy coffee & desserts and finalize purchases-all for just $50 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Quad City Arts at 309-793-1213.

The Quad City Arts Center Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in the Arts and Entertainment District of Rock Island.  Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. All Quad City Arts programs are funded in part by Festival of Trees; Quad City Arts Partners; and operating grants from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; and the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to the growth and vitality of the Quad City region through the presentation, development and celebration of the arts and humanities. For more information, contact Dawn Wohlford-Metallo 309-793-1213 X108.

Amana (Sept 2, 2011) - Fasten your seat belts! The Old Creamery Theatre is taking off with its Fall farce, Boeing Boeing, on the Main Stage beginning Sept. 15.

It promises to be a bumpy ride as Bernard, a successful architect in Paris, juggles three flight attendant girlfriends. Bernard's elaborate planning to keep the women apart is no match for the newer, faster Boeing jet that lands all three women in town at the same time. You'll howl at the elaborate measures Bernard, his housekeeper - a sassy and reluctant accomplice - and his innocent friend Robert take to try and keep Bernard's three little secrets from bumping into one other.

Written by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans, Boeing Boeing won a 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. The cast consists of Jessica Bradish of Des Moines, John D. Smitherman of Philadelphia, Marquetta Senters of South Amana, Sean McCall of Marengo, Deborah Kennedy of East Amana and Jackie McCall of Marengo. Directed by James Fleming, Boeing Boeing runs through Oct. 16 and is rated Theatre PG-13.

Tickets are $27 for adults and $17.50 for students. Show times are Wednesdays Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for more information or to purchase tickets. Group and student rates are available.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox
28, our 2011 season media sponsor.

Iowa City, IA - Riverside Theatre will celebrate its 31st season opening with a reception at Chait Galleries, 218 E Washington St, Iowa City, on Sept. 1 from 5:30-7 p.m.

This event will be a chance to meet and mingle with playwright Megan Gogerty and the director Alexis Chamow of Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth, which opens at Riverside Theatre on Sept. 9.

Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth is a mostly-true story about a woman who gives birth and then a few years later becomes a mother. The show runs Sept. 9-Oct. 2, at Riverside Theatre, 213 N Gilbert St, Iowa City.

Suggested donation for this event is $10. Donations can be made at the box office prior to the event or at the door that evening. For more information contact the box office at 319-338-7672.

###

Iowa City, IA - Riverside Theatre, Iowa City's only professional theatre company opens its 31st Gilbert Street season with the rolling world premiere of the free-wheeling one-woman show, Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth by Iowa City playwright and actor Megan Gogerty.

The show runs Sept. 9-Oct. 2, at Riverside Theatre, 213 N Gilbert St, Iowa City. The show is directed by Los Angeles guest artist Alexis Chamow and performed by Gogerty.

Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth is a mostly-true story about a woman who gives birth and then a few years later becomes a mother.

"Feet First is about Megan's attempts to be a working artist, ardent feminist and a mom.  And Alexis came to Iowa City to direct the play with her baby girl in tow. Talk about art imitating life and vice versa," said Riverside Theatre Resident Artist and Production Manager Ron Clark.

Sharing stories of a harrowing trip to New York City with a baby, being trapped in a house with a moody toddler, and Dolly Parton as a feminist icon Gogerty uses her quick wit and sharp-eye to take on politics, pop culture and parenting.

"Everything in this story is true. And some of it actually happened," Gogerty said.

Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth is a rolling world premiere with Atlanta's Synchronicity Theatre. After its initial premiere in Iowa City, the show will have a second premiere at Synchronicity Theatre in Atlanta in December as part of their Bold Voices Series where the show will run from Dec. 2-19.

"Rolling world premiere is an initiative of the National New Play Network - of which Riverside Theatre is a proud new member.  Theatres are encouraged to mount the same new play within a twelve-month period. The result is a 'rolling world premiere' through which a playwright develops a new work with different creative teams, for different communities of patrons - and hopefully attains the polish and momentum needed to attract the attention of other producers," said Riverside Theatre Artistic Director Jody Hovland.

"When Megan premiered her last solo show at Riverside Theatre in 2008, Megan Gogerty Loves You Very Much, she continued to develop the script throughout the run and afterwards, so that by the time she toured it to Synchronicity Theatre in Atlanta later that season, it had morphed into Hillary Clinton Got Me Pregnant.  So this time around it seemed like a no-brainer to include Synchronicity in our conversation about this new premiere - and they were as excited as we were." 

Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth features scenic design by Scott Olinger, lighting design by Drew Bielinski, sound design by Gogerty, and original music by Christopher J. Clark.

Feet First In The Water With A Baby In My Teeth runs September 9 - October 2 at Riverside Theatre. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for over 60/under 30, and $15 for youth (18 and under). $15 college student rush tickets are available 20 minutes prior to the show with valid ID.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.riversidetheatre.org, by phone at (319) 338-7672 or at the Riverside Theatre Box Office, which is located at 213 N. Gilbert St, Iowa City. Box office hours are: 12 - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Riverside Theatre will celebrate its 31st season opening with a reception at Chait Galleries, 218 E Washington St, Iowa City, on Sept. 1 from 5:30-7 p.m. This will be a chance to meet and mingle with the playwright and the director a week before the show opens. Suggested donation for this event is $10. 

###

New Law Prevents Workers from Claiming Benefits after Felony, DUI Convictions

CHICAGO - AUGUST 8, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to prevent workers convicted of serious crimes from claiming workers' compensation benefits for injuries resulting from those crimes. Senate Bill 1147 prohibits workers from receiving benefits or attorney fees for injuries sustained in the commission of forcible felony, aggravated DUI or reckless homicide. 

"Our workers' compensation system is designed to protect workers injured on the job, not those who commit crimes," said Governor Quinn. "Earlier this year, I passed and signed a comprehensive overhaul of our workers' compensation system. This is another tool to make sure that workers' compensation benefits go only to those who deserve them."

After being charged with a forcible felony, aggravated DUI or reckless homicide, the new law also prevents employees from collecting benefits or attorney's fees until their criminal case has concluded. Acquittal or dismissal, however, does not automatically guarantee benefits; after the conclusion of the criminal case, workers are able to pursue benefits similar to any other workers' compensation claim.  

In June, Governor Quinn signed House Bill 1698, a comprehensive overhaul of Illinois' workers' compensation system. The reforms are expected to save Illinois businesses between $500 and $750 million dollars, while continuing protections for injured workers. The reform package also includes a stipulation to prevent workers from claiming benefits due to injuries caused by their own inebriation while on the job. 

Senate Bill 1147 was sponsored by Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) and Rep. Dwight Kay (R- Glen Carbon), and is effective immediately.

###

Pages