M: It was an unmitigated pleasure to watch Sydney Richardson portray this part. She exuded the perfect mix of Midwestern charm and knowing experience to make it really come to life.

Kitty: Oh, absolutely. This show’s brisk run time of just over an hour could easily feel much longer if the script slipped into a singsong lull. But Richardson handles the verse like a pro.

Inspired by the Oscar-winning Robin Williams smash and hailed by the Hollywood Reporter as “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers,” the musical version of Mrs. Doubtfire brings its national tour to Davenport's Adler Theatre on December 17, its beloved faux Scottish nanny stealing laughs and hearts in a production the Chicago Tribune called “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now.”

Harry and Marv. The Grinch. Mr. Potter. Hans Gruber. All of the other reindeer. There is no shortage of Christmas villains, and most are memorable. Yet after seeing Friday’s performance of Santa Claus: The Musical at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, I’m ready to add the name Henchy to the list.

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."