04 Aug 2025

And Then They Came for Her: “The Diary of Anne Frank,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through August 10

By Pamela Briggs

The horrifying story told in The Diary of Anne Frank is now being lovingly presented at Moline's Playcrafters Barn Theatre, directed by accomplished actor Elle Winchester.

04 Aug 2025

Mississippi River High: “Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through August 10

By Alexander Richardson

The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre closes out its 2025 season with a gorgeously sung tribute in director Amy Fritsche's Almost Heaven: The Songs of John Denver. What this revue by Harold Thau (who's credited for its “original concept”) is lacking in heart is more than made up by the live music played by the onstage actors, all of whom make Denver’s music ring.

28 Jul 2025

Dance Like Everyone's Watching: Countryside Community Theatre's “Hairspray,” at North Scott High School through August 3

By Pamela Briggs

Seeing and hearing Countryside Community Theatre's production of Hairspray has nearly stolen my words from me.

28 Jul 2025

Peace! What Is It Good For?: Genesius Guild's "Peace," at Lincoln Park through August 3

By Alexander Richardson

A lot of the action follows Aristophanes' original text. The rest is decidedly in the style of Calvin Vo and Tee Green.

21 Jul 2025

If You Knew Her Story: “Bright Star,” at the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre through July 27

By Madeline Dudziak

True to Steve Martin’s storytelling sensibility, Bright Star is full of heart, laced with tragedy, and balanced by moments of laugh-out-loud humor. Oh, and there’s plenty of banjo.

18 Jul 2025

There's Something About Mary: “Mary Poppins,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through September 6

By Mischa Hooker and Kitty Israel

Kitty: Full disclosure: We once dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert for Halloween. We’re very serious about our Poppins lore.

Mischa: But we promise to be absolutely objective in our reactions to this show.

15 Jul 2025

Talk Like an Egyptian: Genesius Guild’s “Antony and Cleopatra,” at Lincoln Park through July 20

By Madeline Dudziak

I’ve never been disappointed to spend a Sunday in the park with Shakespeare, though I am grateful that, this past Sunday night, the weather was fairly mild for July. I admit to being only vaguely familiar with Antony & Cleopatra before the evening commenced, but I was not fully anticipating the story to be as epic as it was in director Alaina Pascarella’s production.

15 Jul 2025

A Spoonful of Sugar: “Waitress,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through July 27

By Alexander Richardson

The Timber Lake Playhouse continues its hot streak with Waitress, directed and choreographed by Jennifer Hemphill. A crowd-pleaser through and through, with a charming book that's further buoyed by a wonderfully diverse cast of performers, this production is a saccharine slice of heaven.

14 Jul 2025

Milked Shakes: Barely There Theatre's “To Leer at Lear,” at the Black Box Theatre through July 19

By Pamela Briggs

Alexander Richardson calls this "a love letter to community theatre," and if you've ever been in a show, played on a team, had a job, been part of a family, or met at least one other person in your life, you may recognize at least some of these situations.

14 Jul 2025

Save the Dates: Quad City Music Guild's “The Prom,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through July 20

By Pamela Briggs

Consider this a "prom-vitation" to enjoy Quad City Music Guild's tuneful, touching, terrifically funny The Prom, its music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, and book by Beguelin and Bob Martin.

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