Amana - Come help Hansel and Gretel find their way through the forest and out of the clutches of the Witch in The Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences production of Hansel & Gretel, opening Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. on the Main Stage in Amana.

The cast consists of, T.J. Besler of Manchester, Iowa; Carrie Novell of New York; Laura Ambrose of Andover, Minn; David Tull of Columbus, Ohio; Nicholas Hodge of Marion; and Kamille Zbanek of Ely, Iowa.

Hansel & Gretel by Michele L. Vacca is based on the original story from The Brothers Grimm. The show runs through Oct. 9 with performances on Saturdays at 1 p.m. Cost is $7.50 per person for general admission seating

A "Play Together" parent/child workshop is offered in conjunction with the production on Saturday, Sept. 25 and Oct. 9. This workshop is a great way for you and a child to learn about the theatre together! The workshop includes information on how theatre sets are designed and built, materials to build your own gingerbread house model, a backstage tour, and a chance to meet the cast of Hansel & Gretel and have your picture taken with them on stage. Tickets to the production are not included as part of the workshop and must be purchased separately .The workshop is best for children ages 5 and up. Cost is $15 for one adult and one child.

Coming in December...The Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences holiday production, The Snow Queen Dec. 4 through Dec. 18.

Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for tickets or more information.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. Voted #1 Theatre Group on the 2010 KCRG A-List, the company is celebrating 39 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

Fall in love with this fresh and original comedy, Souvenir: A Fantasia on the life of Florence Foster Jenkins.  Florence Foster Jenkins (Susan Perrin-Sallak) was a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva who believed she was a great coloratura. The improbably named Cosme McMoon (Bryan Tank) was her accompanist. He chronicles Florence's musical journey from drawing room concerts to recordings to Carnegie Hall. Souvenir is a touching and comic tribute to Ms. Jenkins' sincerity, ambition, and deep love of music coupled with a complete lack of talent. Souvenir is for anyone who has ever dreamed a dream.

 

Performance Dates and Times:

Friday, September 17 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, September 18 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 19 at 2:30 pm

Tuesday, September 21 at 7:30 pm

Thursday, September 23 at 7:30 pm

Friday, September 24 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, September 25 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 26 at 2:30 pm

 

Performance location:

The Village Theatre home of New Ground Theatre, 2113 East 11th St. in the East Village of Davenport.

Ticket Prices: $15 adults, $13 seniors (65+) and children (12 and under)

Tickets are sold at the door or make a reservation by calling the reservation line at (563) 326-7529.

"They may say I can't sing, but they can't say I didn't" - Florence Foster Jenkins

Amana - Church Basement Ladies, the musical comedy that celebrates the heart and soul of every church - the basement kitchen and the women who work there- opens Sept. 9 on the Main Stage of The Old Creamery Theatre.

The cast consists of Jean Liuzzi of Boston; Nicole Savitt of Arlington Heights, Ill; Deborah Kennedy of East Amana; Kamille Zbanek of Ely; and Sean McCall of Marengo. Directed by Curt Wollan, Church Basement Ladies was inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, including the best seller "Growing Up Lutheran." Written by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke with music and lyrics by Drew Jansen, the Church Basement Ladies will be serving up laughs with the casseroles and dishing out advice with the Jell-O salads.

Called "a hot dish musical that is doing casserole business," by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, you won't want to miss out on the excitement, so join us where the coffee is always perking and there's more than enough fun to go around.

Church Basement Ladies is rated Theatre G, and runs through October 17. Show times are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.50 for adults and $17.50 for students. Group rates are available for 15 or more. Reservations are highly recommended as some performances are nearly sold out.

Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for tickets or more information.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. Voted #1 Theatre Group on the 2010 KCRG A-List, the company is celebrating 39 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest.

After a long and exhaustive search ComedySportz Quad Cities has found a place to call home, and it's just around the corner from their previous home in Rock Island. ComedySportz has selected the former Rocket Theater located at 224 19th Street as their new location.

Rock Island City Council will vote August 23 on a proposed development agreement between the City and the owner of the former Rocket Theater, Renaissance Rock Island (DARI), to renovate the building. The development agreement commits the City to contribute up to $225,000 to DARI. Up to $200,000 of these funds would be used for building renovations. (City Council previously approved a $200,000 allocation of Downtown Tax Increment Finance Funds (TIF) for the property redevelopment.) $25,000 would be passed through to ComedySportz to use for the purchase of fixtures, furniture, equipment, and other items needed to support the business operation. City support is contingent upon DARI entering into a three year lease with ComedySportz.

Mayor Dennis Pauley stated, "Earlier this year the City Council proclaimed May 15 as ComedySportz Day in the City of Rock Island to commemorate their 20th anniversary. We are pleased with their decision to stay in Rock Island, and look forward to at least another twenty years of laughter with ComedySportz."

"We would like to thank not only all the venues that reached out to us as possible locations over the past two months," said ComedySportz Quad Cities Manager, Patrick Adamson, "but also all of our loyal fans who continue to come out and show their support as we set out on our Fundraising Tour." Mr. Adamson said the appeal of returning home to The District was always there and "that DARI had gone out of their way to not only help us find a new location, but also let us know just how missed we are in the community. We cannot thank DARI and the City of Rock Island enough."

"We're excited to keep ComedySportz in Rock Island, and equally excited that a great venue like the Rocket Theater will have new life," commented Zack Wenthe, Downtown Manager for Renaissance Rock Island.

If the agreement is approved, it is the intent to begin the construction immediately for occupancy by ComedySportz in November 2010.

ComedySportz Quad Cities, Inc., will launch regular matches on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 p.m. starting in November, and also have plans to expand out with other entertainment offerings in 2011 - including late night and offweekend performances. They are very interested in working with other businesses, charities, and organizations in the community to host events and offer our space up for rental as needed.

ComedySportz Quad Cities has been a mainstay in The District for just over two decades and celebrated their 20th anniversary this summer. They are the longest running show in the Quad Cities and have won four World Comedy League championships. Along with our touring company, Guys In Ties Improv Comedy (GuysInTies.net), ComedySportz Quad Cities, Inc., has also been entertaining audiences nationwide including being a part of the Traverse City
Comedy Festival in Michigan.

The former Rocket Theater has had an extensive history, opening in the 1940's as a single-screen movie house. It was transformed into a discount theater in the 1970's and closed in the late 1980's. A nightclub later opened at the site, but it too closed. DARI purchased the building in 2003. In Spring 2005, the theater was renamed the Brew and View II at the Rocket Cinema, where it featured movies and live music until March 2006. The building has been vacant since 2006.

For more information, visit www.ComedySportzQC.com, e-mail info@comedysportzqc.com, and follow ComedySportz online at both Twitter (CSzQC) and Facebook.