27 Oct 2025

Wife after Death: “Blithe Spirit,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through November 2

By Mischa and Kitty Hooker

Mischa: The first thing we should note is that this production was forced by last-minute illness to shuffle some roles around mere days ahead of opening night, so the show could go on.

Kitty: Because of the last-minute casting adjustment, both actresses (understandably) had scripts in hand. But they were very natural in their deliveries and clearly familiar enough with the lines to be at least partly off-book, which is impressive.

20 Oct 2025

PilgrImage: “The Thanksgiving Play,” at the Black Box Theatre through November 1

By Madeline Dudziak

The Black Box Theatre's The Thanksgiving Play isn’t really about Thanksgiving at all. It's not a story of stuffed birds, mashed potatoes, and raucous family dinners. Instead, it focuses on the people who are trying to make sense of how to tell the first-Thanksgiving story, and in doing so, revealing just how tangled and hilarious the process of “getting it right” can be.

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.

20 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.

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.

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.

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.

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