13 Dec 2021

Radio Holy Night: ”Deck the Halls: A Holiday Musical,” at The Mockingbird on Main through December 18

By Madeline Dudziak

I know the holidays are busy and holiday weekends busier still, but make room in your calendar for this fast-paced, hilarious little show, because it's completely worth it. The energy that director Tristan Tapscott’s cast brought to a very nearly empty house was unbelievable, and I can only imagine what the show would amount to in a packed theatre.

06 Dec 2021

Awe(stria)struck: “The Sound of Music,” at the Spotlight Theatre through December 12

By Pamela Briggs

Frankly, I was feeling a bit smug when I entered the Spotlight Theatre on Saturday night. Like many, I've seen The Sound of Music onstage, and the film several times. I know how the scripts and songs differ, and what to expect. Yet this production still astounded me: It's a grand, rich experience.

06 Dec 2021

The Complete Works of Saint Nicholas (abridged): “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some),” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through December 12

By Pamela Briggs

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) is a 2007 comedy by John K. Alvarez, Michael Carleton, and James FitzGerald, I saw it at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre on Thursday's opening night, and it stars Jonathan Grafft as Jonathan, Nathan Johnson as Nathan, and Mike Kelly as Mike. These could be the parts they were born to play.

06 Dec 2021

Everything (Jolly) Old Is New(-ish) Again: “What a Wonderful World,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through December 12

By Rochelle Arnold

The Timber Lake Playhouse’s latest jukebox musical, What a Wonderful World, is the magical tale of how Santa and Mrs. Claus try to retire – but in doing so, they must pass the baton to the new Santa, otherwise the North pole, and the fate of Christmas, are in danger of disappearing forever.

01 Dec 2021

Nice Capades: Quad City Music Guild’s “Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through December 5

By Madeline Dudziak

Director Luke Vermiere’s Holiday Inn – which I attended on its final, Tuesday-night dress rehearsal – just may have been the dose of “Cindy Lou Who” that I needed to embrace the Christmas spirit, and perhaps this show's one-weekend run will do the same for you.

29 Nov 2021

One Show, New Show, Fun-All-Thru Show: “Seussical,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 26

By Pamela Briggs

With this version of the Seussical script, director/choreographer Ashley Becher, musical director Shelley Walljasper, and their cast and crew have concocted an entertaining, gratifying experience.

29 Nov 2021

Hypno-Test: “An Oak Tree,” at the Mockingbird on Main through December 5

By Madeline Dudziak

Friday night’s production at the Mockingbird on Main started with a moment of silence for Broadway’s legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who passed away earlier that day. Yet while I’m sure a similar moment was shared across any number of theatres around the globe, what happened afterward was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

15 Nov 2021

Game Knight: “She Kills Monsters,” at St. Ambrose University through November 21

By Pamela Briggs

I fell hard in love with playwright Qui Nguyen's She Kills Monsters the first time I saw it at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre in the summer of 2019. We trysted again that fall at Augustana College. I was consequently happy, on Saturday, to enjoy a new rendezvous at St. Ambrose University. Director Daniel Rairdin-Hale and the show's staff, crew, and cast have assembled a singularly beautiful, big-scale-impressive production of Nguyen's play.

15 Nov 2021

Circa '21? No – Precisely '21.: “Winter Wonderland,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through December 29

By Rochelle Arnold

Ready or not, here come the holidays! I had the privilege to attend the Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse’s Wednesday-night preview of their latest musical Winter Wonderland. Upon entering the theatre, I was greeted with a lovely arrangement of lighted Christmas wreaths and a cozy set design consisting of a fabulous cabin decked out in all kinds of sparkling ornaments and tinsel, compliments of scenic designer Susan Holgersson and scenic artist Trinity Filut. The surroundings absolutely got me in the holiday spirit.

11 Nov 2021

A Tragedy That Hits the (Damned) Spot: “Macbeth,” at Augustana College through November 14

By Madeline Dudziak

Make no mistake: Augustana College’s Macbeth doesn’t even try to skirt around the fact that it’s a tragedy. In fact, director Jennifer Popple’s production begins with a funeral. It’s an artistic funeral, certainly, in that it’s set to modern-dance movements (care of movement director Shelley Cooper), but this Scottish play is well prepared to heighten reality while remaining heartfelt in the midst of tragedy.

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