18 Nov 2025

“Who's Holiday,” December 4 through 19

By Reader Staff

Lauded by Broadway World as an adults-only entertainment that sends "audience members off with a warm smile and probably exhausted from laughter," author Matthew Lombardo's one-woman comedy sensation Who's Holiday returns to Rock Island's Circa '21 Speakeasy for a six-performance run, this spiky December 4 through 19 treat also hailed by the New York Times as "a raunchy riff on a yuletide tale that dirties up Christmas while ultimately reveling in its spirit."

18 Nov 2025

“The Mousetrap,” November 28 through December 14

By Reader Staff

A legendary mystery thriller that stands as the longest-running West End show of all time, the play having reached its 30,000th performance this past March, Agatha Christie's timeless classic The Mousetrap enjoys a November 28 through December 14 run at Iowa City's Riverside Theatre, The Times calling the show "elaborately skillful" and The Daily Express praising its "atmosphere of shuddering suspense."

11 Nov 2025

“Santa Claus: The Musical,” November 25 through December 21

By Reader Staff

Santa Claus will soon be coming to town, but in the meantime, he's coming to Rock Island's Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse in the theatre's November 25 through December 21 run of the family adventure Santa Claus: The Musical, a delightful, hour-long entertainment that Theatre Jones described as "a toe-tapping, joyous musical extravaganza."

10 Nov 2025

Holiday Chestnut: “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 28

By Madeline Dudziak

It’s a long-running joke at our house that I get Irving Berlin’s Christmas-y shows confused, as both feature his music and plots about saving a small-town lodging facility from financial dire straits. So to be clear: The Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse is not currently staging Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn, but rather Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, directed and choreographed by Ashley Becher. And if you’re in the mood for a little holiday fun, you will not be disappointed.

19 Nov 2025

Local Theatre Auditions/Calls for Entry

By Administrator
Local Theatre Auditions/Calls for Entry

Updated: Wednesday, November 18

17 Nov 2025

River Cities' Reader Theatre Reviews: July 2000 to the Present

By Administrator

Reviews by Rochelle Arnold, Jeff Ashcraft, Patricia Baugh-Riechers, Audra Beals, Pamela Briggs, Dee Canfield, Madeline Dudziak, Kim Eastland, Emily Heninger, Heather Herkelman, Kitty (née Israel) Hooker, Mischa Hooker, Paula Jolly, Victoria Navarro, Roger Pavey Jr., Alexander Richardson, Mark Ruebling, Mike Schulz, Joy Thompson, Oz Torres, Brent Tubbs, Jill Pearson Walsh, and Thom White.

17 Nov 2025

The Parents Trapp: Quad City Music Guild's “The Sound of Music,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through November 23

By Madeline Dudziak

A handful of transitions land a little differently on stage, which can take a moment to adjust to if the classic film is your primary Sound of Music reference point. Luckily, if you’re willing to be a little flexible, director David Blakely’s production is most enjoyable overall.

17 Nov 2025

Parydice: “Eurydice,” at St. Ambrose University through November 23

By Alexander Richardson

Directed by Daniel Hale and beautifully written by Sarah Ruhl, Eurydice is now playing in the studio theatre at St. Ambrose University. and this production offers a theatrical treat to warm your heart.

17 Nov 2025

Holmes for the Holidays: “A Sherlock Carol,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through November 23

By Mischa and Kitty Hooker

Mischa: I thought it was a fun mash-up of these two classic fictional worlds, and appreciated the cleverness with which they were combined.

Kitty: Maybe I’m a Scrooge, but I kept thinking, “Okay, so it’s A Christmas Carol starring Sherlock Holmes. But … why?”

15 Nov 2025

Manor of Death: “The Mousetrap,” at Augustana College through November 16

By Pamela Briggs

I was immediately drawn into the little world of this slightly run-down manor owned by Giles and Mollie Ralston. Both are on edge about the launch, and with no staff, the guest services and upkeep of the entire place is on their shoulders. They don't know that matters are about to get much worse.

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