21 Jun 2021

Teach Us How to Shimmy: The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre's “Smokey Joe’s Café,” at the Riverview Park Bandshell through June 27

By Rochelle Arnold

It was a beautiful summer night on Saturday, and I was thrilled to attend the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre’s energetic new musical Smokey Joe’s Café. Celebrating the songs of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, this production took place outdoors, across the street from the Showboat in the charming Riverview Park Bandshell. And from the first note of the first song, I knew I was in for a treat.

21 Jun 2021

Victim of Circus Dance: “Pippin,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through June 27

By Rochelle Arnold

The song “Corner of the Sky” has always been one of my favorite Broadway tunes. I love the lyrics, especially, because they touch areas deep inside my heart with their nuances of looking for meaning in life and trying to find a place where you fit in. The words: “Rivers belong where they can ramble / Eagles belong where they can fly / I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free / Got to find my corner of the sky” really ring true in my own experiences. And this song is the centerpiece for the season opener – the musical Pippin – now playing at the Timber Lake Playhouse.

17 Jun 2021

Pigment of Your Imagination: The Mississippi Bend Players' “Red,” at Augustana College through June 20

By Madeline Dudziak

I feel confident in giving Red two thumbs up, but should you attend for yourself and disagree with me … . Well, I think that’s exactly the point of director Cait Bodenbender’s production: You can choose for yourself as long as you do so from a place of honesty.

14 Jun 2021

Fancy/Pool/Costume-Party Animals: “Elephant & Piggie's 'We Are in a Play!,'” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through July 2

By Madeline Dudziak

Did you hear the energetic trumpeting coming from Rock Island this past weekend? Because Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” debuted on the Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse stage and was chock full of trumpets, both of the elephantine and brass-instrumental variety. Director Kim Kurtenbach kept the energy in this production high and the overall experience was a joy – a veritable celebration of friendship.

07 Jun 2021

Bully in a China Shop: “Princeton’s Rage,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through June 13

By Madeline Dudziak

There’s an adage “hurt people hurt people.” It's a cliché, certainly, but it sums up the experience currently on the Playcrafters Barn Theatre stage. Friday was the opening night for Princeton’s Rage, written by local playwright Don Faust, and under the direction of Madison Duling, the evening was full of emotions and pain, but also well-needed healing.

07 Jun 2021

“Peanuts,” Better and Jolly: “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” at the Spotlight Theatre through June 13

By Rochelle Arnold

Friday was opening night for You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at the Spotlight Theatre, and it was a crazy, fun evening filled with lighthearted comedy and loaded with some of my favorite area talent. I really enjoyed the simple, childlike playfulness that the entire cast exuded, as it was evident that everyone was having a great time and glad to be back on stage.

07 Jun 2021

War-respondence: “Hate Mail,” at the Black Box Theatre through June 12

By Pamela Briggs

Drama is conflict, and the Black Box Theatre's current production, titled Hate Mail, reveals its conflict within the first two minutes. As the battle slowly escalated, I wondered how playwrights Bill Corbett and Kira Obolensky could sustain the animosity and keep it building for an entire play. How dark could it get and

07 Jun 2021

Croon River: “Always … Patsy Cline,” at the Clinton Showboat Theatre through June 13

By Pamela Briggs

The Showboat's former producing artistic director Matthew Teague Miller directed Always ... Patsy Cline, while Kory Danielson is music director and conductor, also playing piano during the performances. Much thought and work no doubt went into staging this production, but Miller, Danielson, and their crew make it seem like it came together spontaneously and organically.

24 May 2021

Swarm Fuzzies: “Beehive: The '60s Musical,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through July 10

By Madeline Dudziak

If life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown to the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse and experience their latest offering Beehive: The '60s Musical. Director/choreographer Shelley Cooper and her gang of six ladies will take you on a musical journey through the decade that is chock-full of your classic favorites. This fun night of familiar tunes is exactly the answer – it’s a gas!

26 Apr 2021

Say Yes to the Dress: “Love, Loss, & What I Wore,” at the Black Box Theatre through May 1

By Pamela Briggs

In the longstanding tradition of “show, don't tell,” a story needs a setting or theme to carry it. Star Trek wasn't really about space; Field of Dreams wasn't really about baseball. Stories are about people, memories, and emotions. And although the actors now performing at the Black Box Theatre talk for 90 minutes about pantsuits, gowns, and boots, Love, Loss, & What I Wore isn't really about clothing.

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