22 Nov 2010

Showboatʼs It's A Wonderful Life Opens on Black Friday

By Rick Martin
"I can't think of a better way to get into the Christmas Spirit."  Patrick Stinson, Showboat Artistic Director and star of It's a Wonderful Life continues, "With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping we get lost in looking for deals and making sure our list is completely checked and we forget about the spirit of the holiday season.  It's A Wonderful Life is a fantastic reminder of why we go through the hassle to find the deals and the right gift for our loved ones.  In fact the first gift one should give is the gift of the Christmas spirit by attending our show."

Before It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play begins the audience is welcomed in with Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters and as the show starts the applause sign flashes and all are transported to a 1940's radio studio complete with a foley artist creating live sound effects and a children's choir proving background music.

A local cast of over 40 performers fill out the ensemble. "Rehearsals have been going great.  We started working on the show the first week of November and since early in the rehearsal process moments have been coming together and it's like I'm on the set with of a 1940's radio studio." says cast member and the show's music director Doug Kutzli.

Tickets for It's A Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play are available at the Showboat Box Office, hours are Fridays 4- 7 and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4 or by calling (563) 242-6760, and anytime online at www.clintonshowboat.org.  Tickets are $15.00 and season tickets for the 2011 Summer Season are available at a $20 discount until the show closes.

The Showboat is also kicking off its 2011 fundraising drive with this show.  "Tickets only cover about 70 percent of our operating costs.  Being a non-profit organization with the mission to bring quality professional theatre to Clinton we cannot do this without the community's help."  states Stinson.

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre has been in residence on the City of Clinton Showboat for over 20 years bringing the area tomorrows stars today.  Many of today's Broadway stars have graced the Showboat's stage in the last 20 years including 2000 and 2001 alum Jill Paice (Broadway's Curtains) and the 2003 alum Bryan Lefeber (Cirque's Love).  The Showboat has several sponsorship levels with many great incentives.  "Anyone can sponsor any amount and it will be used wisely to bring great theatre and arts education to the Showboat."  said Stinson.  The Showboat's website www.clintonshowboat.org has more information about sponsorships, incentives, and even a link to pledge online as well.

22 Nov 2010

The Old Creamery's Theatre for Young Audiences opens The Snow Queen Dec. 4

By Rick Martin
Amana - Come celebrate the power of love and friendship this holiday season at the Old Creamery Theatre for Young Audiences production of Hans Christian Anderson' s magical tale, The Snow Queen, opening Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. on the Main Stage in Amana.

The Snow Queen tells of a beautiful but evil Queen who casts a spell on innocent and unsuspecting Kai and takes him to her frozen castle, far away. Kai' s friend Gerda refuses to give up on her dear friend and begins the dangerous search for Kai, meeting many interesting characters along the way. Will Gerda ever find the icy palace and if so, will her love be strong enough to break the Snow Queen' s powerful spell to save her friend?

Directed by Sean McCall, the cast of The Snow Queen includes Ryan Gaffney of Manchester, Kamille Zbanek of Ely, Nicholas Hodge of Marion, Carrie Novell of New York and Jackie McCall of Marengo.

Rated Theatre G, The Snow Queen is sponsored by Scheels of Coralville and Alliant Energy Foundation with Mix 96.5 as the show' s media sponsor. Show times are Saturday, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at 11 a.m. Tickets are $7.50 per person for general admission seating.

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. The company is celebrating 39 years of  bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2010 season media sponsor.
11 Nov 2010

Winter Bird Feeding Program Slated

By Lisa Gerwulf

On Saturday, November 20th at 10:00 A.M. the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center will host a program on winter bird feeding. Come learn how you can attract and feed our common feathered friends on any budget.  Simple supplies can get you started right in your own backyard.

The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center can be found 6 miles south of Wheatland or 1 mile northwest of Dixon, Iowa by taking County Road Y4E.  Then turn north at 52nd Avenue and follow the signs for about 1 mile.

 

08 Nov 2010

RIVERMONT THESPIANS PROVIDE EVENING OF LAUGHS!

By Brittany Marietta

Nightmare sailors, zombie pirates, and hypnotizing mermaids - oh, my!  Join us as Rivermont Collegiate thespians in grades 6-12 present a snappy comedy featuring a play within a play!  As the story goes, the star of a popular pirate play is the heartthrob of every teenage girl in Shakespearean England until the cast is kidnapped by real pirates during one of their productions.  Hilarious antics ensue as the heartthrob pirate Frank and his supporting cast, including prima donna Esmerelda, say goodbye to stardom and hello to servitude on a real pirate ship.  Rivermont students have perfected a performance of The Fearsome Pirate Frank that will provide laughs long after the curtain closes!

Join us Friday, November 12th and Saturday, November 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium on the Rivermont Collegiate campus, located at 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf (directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware).  Tickets are $5 at the door.  This event is open to the community!

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate contact Cindy Murray, Director of Admissions, at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.


#   #   #

26 Oct 2010

Leading playwright to visit QCA Thursday & Friday!

By M. McNeil
Suzan Zeder?one of America's leading playwrights in Theatre for Young Audiences-is coming to Moline to attend the opening night performance of her play, The Taste of Sunrise, at Moline High School on Thursday, October 28th at 7:30 pm (see attached schedule).

The following day she will conduct workshops with both Moline and Rock Island theatre students who learned sign language in order to perform her plays.   Rock Island High School will be performing the sequel to Moline's play, called "Mother Hicks," the following weekend.

When Suzan Zeder wrote Mother Hicks, she includes a scene with an adult Tuc, who is deaf.  He says,

"You see all the things I cannot do because I am deaf.  But you don't see that which I can do.  I can sing with rivers.  I can see the sharp sting of honey and I can taste the sunrise."

The moment these words flew off her fingertips into the page, she knew Tuc needed his own story.  This is it.

Politically, Tuc's story examines the hardships experienced by deaf people before the use of sign language was widely accepted. Socially, the play explores what it means to be an outcast.  Three of the leading characters all become outcasts in some way?a deaf boy, an African American female living on her own, and a teenage mom who doesn't know where she fits in.  The leading role of Tuc is played by Max Molina, who is part of Moline's Wilson Junior High School's hearing-impaired program.  His friend Maizie, played by Jenna Pautsch, is hearing but has deaf parents, so she is part of both the hearing and deaf worlds.

Audiences will find it remarkable to know that the entire cast learned sign language just for this production.  They spent their entire summer taking hour-long ASL (American Sign Language) classes at MHS twice weekly in preparation for this play, which will be completely bilingual -- both spoken and signed.  As the play unfolds, "shadow" characters will tell the story with words and signs. This is a powerful play, and it will be an unforgettable experience for all who see it.

For more information contact the director, Chris Thomas, at 309-230-8621.

Thank you for your interest.
18 Oct 2010

Sign Language Play

By M. McNeil
On October 28, 29 and 30 at 7:30 PM, Moline High School Theatre will be performing a remarkable play by Suzan Zeder, entitled "The Taste of Sunrise." The following weekend, Rock Island High School will be performing the sequel to the play, "Mother Hicks."  So?as both our plays contain themes about creating community?our lives will imitate art as we find community between our two schools.

As if this collaboration wasn't enough?Suzan Zeder?one of America's leading playwrights in Theatre for Young Audiences---has decided to attend the opening night performance of Taste of Sunrise.  She said that our story has captured her heart.  She will be doing workshops with the students and also host a staged reading of the third play in this trilogy, title, The Edge of Peace.
When Suzan Zeder wrote Mother Hicks, she includes a scene with an adult Tuc, who is deaf.  He says, "You see all the things I cannot do because I am deaf.  But you don't see that which I can do.  I can sing with rivers.  I can see the sharp sting of honey and I can taste the sunrise."

The moment these words flew off her fingertips into the page, she knew Tuc needed his own story.  This is it.

Politically, Tuc's story examines the hardships experienced by deaf people before the use of sign language was widely accepted. Socially, the play explores what it means to be an outcast.  Three of the leading characters all become outcasts in some way?a deaf boy, an African American female living on her own, and a teenage mom who doesn't know where she fits in.  The leading role of Tuc is played by Max Molina, who is part of Moline's Wilson Junior High School's hearing-impaired program.  His friend Maizie, played by Jenna Pautsch, is hearing but has deaf parents, so she is part of both the hearing and deaf worlds.

Audiences will find it remarkable to know that the entire cast learned sign language just for this production.  They spent their entire summer taking hour-long ASL (American Sign Language) classes at MHS twice weekly in preparation for this play, which will be completely bilingual -- both spoken and signed.  As the play unfolds, "shadow" characters will tell the story with words and signs. This is a powerful play, and it will be an unforgettable experience for all who see it.
11 Oct 2010

Just in time for Halloween, Blithe Spirit opens October 21 at The Old Creamery Theatre

By Shelley Oehler

Amana - Marriage can be difficult enough, but what if the ghost of your first wife moves in with you and your new wife and only you can see her? That's exactly what happens to Charles (Sean McCall) when an eccentric psychic (Marquetta Senters) accidentally brings back the spirit of his late wife (Jackie McCall), setting off a hilarious battle between the women for rightful possession of their husband.

Just in time for Halloween, Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward opens Oct. 21 on the Main Stage at The Old Creamery and is rated Theatre PG. The cast includes Old Creamery company members, Marquetta Senters of South Amana; Deborah Kennedy of East Amana; Sean McCall of Marengo; and Jackie McCall of Marengo. Rounding out the cast will be Carrie Novell of New York; David Tull of Columbus, Ohio; and Kristy Hartsgrove of Iowa City.

Directed by Tom Milligan, Blithe Spirit runs through November 14. Tickets are $26.50 for adults and $17.50 for students. While walk-ins are always welcome if seats are available, reservations for this show are highly recommended. Show times are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. call the box office or order tickets on line 800-35-AMANA or www.oldcreamery.com.

Blithe Spirit's media sponsor is 600 WMT-AM. The Old Creamery's 2010 season media sponsor is KGAN 2/Fox 28.

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.

 

11 Oct 2010

Church Basement Ladies serves up additional matinee performance at The Old Creamery Theatre

By Shelley Oehler
Amana - Due to popular demand, Church Basement Ladies, the musical comedy that celebrates the heart and soul of every church - the basement kitchen and the women who work there- will add a matinee performance on Saturday, Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. The show runs through Oct. 17 at The Old Creamery Theatre Company.

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, Church Basement Ladies serves up laughs with the casseroles and advice with the Jell-O salads.

The added performance at 3 p.m. on Oct. 16 is in addition to regular show times on 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. Reservations are highly recommended.

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.
04 Oct 2010

Dracula Cast Announced

By Patrick Stinson
Greetings!

What brought about the Twilight craze?  Why are so many enthralled with the series Trueblood?  The simple answer...Dracula.  The Bram Stoker classic Gothic tale invented and popularized the vampire.  The Showboat is taking this classic tale and bringing it to the stage during the Halloween season.
The cast for the Showboat's Dracula is spectacular.  An entire local cast with Doug Kutzli of Dewitt in the title role of Dracula. John VanDeWowstyne of Geneseo brings Dr. Seward, Dracula's neighbor to the stage.  Tanya Smith of Gooselake plays Lucy, the afflicted fiance of Seward.  Mary Pirch of Camanche portrays the chaperoning Aunt of Lucy.  Haley Courter of Clinton sweeps the stage as Seward's house keeper, Abigail,  Cole Rauch of Fulton plays the ever strange Renfield and Erica Vandervelde of Clinton plays the wise Van Helsing.

This show will surely get everyone in the Halloween mood.

Dracula opens October 15 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 3:00.  Tickets are available at the Showboat Box Office on Fridays from 4-7 and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4 or online at www.clintonshowboat.org. Tickets are $15 and discounts are available for groups over 20 and school
groups.
Sincerely,
Patrick Stinson
Clinton Area Showboat Theatre
30 Sep 2010

NEW GROUND THEATRE - 10 YEARS AND COUNTING

By Rick Martin

DAVENPORT, IOWA - New Ground Theatre is proud to announce its 10th Anniversary Season 2010-2011. New Ground, whose home is the Village Theatre in the Village of East Davenport was the pioneer for small theatre companies in the Quad Cities.

"We are proud of the fact that we continue to produce quality plays after ten years and we are particularly grateful to the Riverboat Development Authority for providing funding for our 10th anniversary," said NGT Artistic Director, Chris Jansen. "We will be producing six plays this season, instead of the usual four, to commemorate this milestone in our history."

The first show of the NGT 10th Anniversary season was the critically acclaimed "Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins" directed by Lora Adams and starring Susan Perrin-Sallak and Bryan Tank. The remaining plays in the season include :

August: Osage County

By Tracy Letts

Directed by Derek Bertelsen

One of the most bracing and critically acclaimed plays in recent Broadway history, August: Osage County is a portrait of the dysfunctional American family at its finest–and absolute worst.

October 15 - 24, 2010

Gift of the Magi

By Peter Ekstrom from the short story by O`Henry

Directed by Lora Adams

Starring Tristan Tapscott and Kelly Lohrenz

Story and song blend together for a celebration of love and giving that continues to define the true meaning of Christmas. From the frolic in the opening scene, to the last uplifting moment, The Gift of The Magi is a magical theatrical experience for families to share.

December 10 - 19, 2010

Sleuth

By Anthony Shaffer

A man who loves games and theater invites his wife's lover to meet him, setting up a battle of wits with potentially deadly results.

January 20 - 30, 2011

And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson

By Jim Leonard, Jr.

In Jackson, a small town in rural Indiana, Elizabeth Ann Willow lives with her father and mother. Crippled at birth with polio, Elizabeth Ann is confined to a wheelchair and must wear leg braces, And They Danced Real Slow in Jackson is a plea for understanding and compassion in a world where prejudice and casual cruelty are too often the norm.

March 10 - 20, 2011

TBA: Quad Cities Original

May 15 - 15, 2011

More information about New Ground Theatre can be found at www.newgroundtheatre.org or by calling 563-326-7529. Ticket prices for shows are $18 general admission and $15 for seniors (55+ and students).

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