06 Oct 2025

Dressed to Kill: “The Woman In Black,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through October 12

By Alexander Richardson

As I drove through the waning dusk of a scorching hot fall evening, I wondered what was in store with the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre’s production of The Woman in Black, directed and designed by Dana Skiles. Turns out, a frighteningly good time. With a wealth of talent on stage and off, this production is not one to miss for fans of horror or damn good theatre.

06 Oct 2025

Pardon Me, Boy – Is This the Transylvania Sensation?: “Young Frankenstein,” at the Spotlight Theatre through October 12

By Pamela Briggs

Talented folks at the Spotlight Theatre, led by director Aaron Baker-Loo and music director Laura Hammes, are giving Young Franknstein's seasonally apropos, demanding script an electrifyingly exuberant treatment.

15 Sep 2025

We Are Always Dependent on the Kindness of Strangers: “Come from Away,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through November 1

By Pamela Briggs

Remembering the devastating losses and world-changing terror of 9/11 doesn't usually inspire joy, or instill hope. But there's a musical about it that does both, focusing on how the destruction in New York City and Washington D.C. affected a little island roughly 1,500 miles northeast.

06 Oct 2025

River Cities' Reader Theatre Reviews: July 2000 to the Present

By Administrator

Reviews by Rochelle Arnold, Jeff Ashcraft, Patricia Baugh-Riechers, Audra Beals, Pamela Briggs, Dee Canfield, Madeline Dudziak, Kim Eastland, Emily Heninger, Heather Herkelman, Kitty (née Israel) Hooker, Mischa Hooker, Paula Jolly, Victoria Navarro, Roger Pavey Jr., Alexander Richardson, Mark Ruebling, Mike Schulz, Joy Thompson, Oz Torres, Brent Tubbs, Jill Pearson Walsh, and Thom White.

22 Sep 2025

Engineering / Chemistry: “The Half-Life of Marie Curie,” at the Black Box Theatre through September 28

By Madeline Dudziak

The Half-Life of Marie Curie takes us back to 1911, and a world in which even the greatest women can be handily undermined by their personal lives. Sound familiar?

15 Sep 2025

Denial Is a River in Egypt: “Murder on the Nile,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through September 21

By Alexander Richardson

The Playcrafters Barn Theatre brings another of Agatha Christie’s mysteries to life with its production of Murder on the Nile, directed by Karen Riffey. With twists, gunshots, and more exposition than you can shake a fully loaded pistol at, this play will no doubt please fans of the genre.

15 Sep 2025

Iowa Awakening: “The Bridges of Madison County,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through September 21

By Mischa and Kitty Hooker

Mischa: Kristin Wetherington absolutely delivered. From start to finish, she commanded the audience’s attention, with carefree positivity at first, then convincing anguish as the story reached its emotional climax.

Kitty: I was also really impressed by her ability to maintain a consistent, believable Italian accent throughout, both in her speaking and her singing.

25 Aug 2025

Stuck in the Muddle With Glue: “Glü,” at the Timber Lake Playhouse through August 31

By Alexander Richardson

The Timber Lake Playhouse tries something new with its world-premiere musical Glü. Directed by Tommy Ranieri, and with a book and lyrics by Jake Lockwood and music and lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen, this heartwarming tale gives audiences a chance to see something local, and possibly even familiar.

18 Aug 2025

Tonal Recall: “Marjorie Prime,” at the Richmond Hill Barn Theatre through August 24

By Pamela Briggs

Jordan Harrison's Marjorie Prime script is both dramatic and funny, and Jennifer Kingry's cast of four excels at being both.

11 Aug 2025

Lifetime’s Original Dance Mom: Quad City Music Guild's “Gypsy,” at the Prospect Park Auditorium through August 17

By Alexander Richardson

Quad City Music Guild’s summer season winds down with one of the big American musicals: Gypsy, directed here by Troy Stark, and featuring a score by Jule Styne, book by Arthur Laurents, and lyrics by an early-career Stephen Sondheim. And while there were a few rough spots during Friday’s opening-night performance, there’s still plenty to enjoy and Guild does a fine job of putting this classic piece on its feet.

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