27 Jul 2026

Exhilarating Depression: “Bonnie & Clyde,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through August 2

By Madeline Dudziak

Make no mistake: Bonnie & Clyde is not a feel-good musical.

20 Jul 2026

The Princess and the Pea-Green: “Shrek the Musical,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through August 2

By Madeline Dudziak

Having first seen the musical in New York with the original Broadway cast, I came in with extremely high expectations. Director/choreographer Chaz Wolcott’s production more than rose to the challenge and made for a truly fantastic night at the theatre.

13 Jul 2026

It's a Man, Man, Man, Man World: Genesius Guild’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” at Lincoln Park through July 19

By Madeline Dudziak

Rather than trying to explain discomfort away, director Cait Bodenbender embraced the play's history by simply casting as Shakespeare himself did: with an all-male cast.

13 Jul 2026

These Keds Are Made for Walkin': “Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk,” at the Black Box Theatre through July 18

By Kitty Hooker

Do I have any interest in hiking the Appalachian Trail? Absolutely not. Do I want to hear about the 67-year-old who was the first woman to hike the entire trail solo? Absolutely. And trust me, so do you.

13 Jul 2026

He Is an Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Tyke Who's from Bikini: Quad City Music Guild's “The SpongeBob Musical,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through July 19

By Pamela Briggs

While many children attended on opening night, I hardly heard a peep from them during the show – it was the over-25 crowd who were clapping and screaming upon each first entrance of these beloved characters from the underwater city of Bikini Bottom.

13 Jul 2026

Bros Before Woes: “Heaven Help Me,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through July 19

By Pamela Briggs

Though the show is billed as a comedy, I only laughed a few times. I was much more invested in its dramatic scenes.

06 Jul 2026

I Got the Show Right Here, Its Charms Are Crystal Clear: Countryside Community Theatre's “Guys & Dolls,” at the North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium through July 12

By Pamela Briggs

Before Friday night at Eldridge's North Scott High School Fine Arts Auditorium, I hadn’t seen Guys & Dolls. Go on and clutch those poils, doll. I do not know the show. So sue me. But I had a swell time. In spades!

06 Jul 2026

JoJo a Go Go: “Seussical,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through July 12

By Pamela Briggs

Seussical, now playing at Omar – I mean, the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre – features an exuberant mash-up of plots from about a third of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s lifetime output of 60-plus children’s books. (And yeah, there were more Dr. Seuss books after he died. Peculiar thing, that.)

06 Jul 2026

Glitzkrieg: “Cabaret,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through July 12

By Kitty Hooker

When I entered the Timber Lake Playhouse for its July 3 opening night of Cabaret and saw the stage draped with a gold foil fringe curtain and framed in marquee bulbs with a glowing red “KIT KAT KLUB” sign, the atmosphere felt equal parts seductive, artificial, and just a little bit unsettling.

22 Jun 2026

Tomb with a View: Genesius Guild's “Antigone,” at Lincoln Park through June 28

By Kitty Hooker

Genesius Guild’s current production of Antigone, directed by Michael Callahan, is the Guild’s annual high school show and features a cast of almost all teenagers – appropriate, considering that so many of the key characters, including the titular Antigone, are teenagers themselves.

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Theatre Calendars

Submit your event listings to calendar@rcreader.com