13 May 2025

“Steel Magnolias,” May 29 through June 8

By Reader Staff

From May 29 through June 8, one of the most endearing and enduring of all dramatic comedies enjoys a run at Geneseo's Richmond Barn Theatre with the venue's presentation of Steel Magnolias, playwright Robert Harling's charming, riotous, and moving tale of mothers, daughters, and best friends that inspired the 1989 movie classic and led Drama-Logue to call it "a skillfully crafted, lovingly evoked picture of eccentricity in the small-town South."

13 May 2025

“Marry Me a Little,” May 23 through June 1

By Reader Staff

Conceived by the revered artistic team of Craig Lucas and Norman René, and boasting nearly two dozen songs by the composing legend that is Stephen Sondheim, the two-character musical Marry Me a Little makes its Quad Cities debut at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre, its May 23 through June 1 sure to demonstrate why The Guardian hailed the show as "a carousel of regrets and rapture."

12 May 2025

They Kill! They Slay! They Murder It!: “Chicago,” at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse through July 5

By Madeline Dudziak

Given that the new Pope hails from Chicago, it’s likely you’ve heard an uptick of talk of that town in the last week or so. But let me tell you: There’s another Chicago you ought to be talking about, because the current production running at the Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse, directed and choreographed by Ashley Becher, is a visual spectacular and features, I wager, some of the best dancing I’ve ever seen on that stage.

29 Apr 2025

“Sounds & Sweet Airs,” May 13

By Reader Staff

A special presentation by the Genesius Theatre Guild of the Quad Cities in preparation for its summer season at Rock Island's Lincoln Park, the Shakespearean celebration Songs & Sweet Airs will enjoy a live presentation at the Rock Island Public Library's Watts-Midtown Branch on May 13, this reader's-theatre performance a supercut of some of the Bard's greatest writing that boasts scenes and monologues from many of his plays.

12 May 2025

Local Theatre Auditions/Calls for Entry

By Administrator
Local Theatre Auditions/Calls for Entry

Updated: Monday, May 12

12 May 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, Mischa Hooker, Kitty Israel, 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.

10 May 2025

Solutions of Grandeur: “Proof,” at Augustana College through May 11

By Pamela Briggs

The final production of Augustana College's 2024-25 season is David Auburn's Proof, directed by Jennifer Popple, the college's assistant professor of theatre arts, and this professional-caliber production both impressed and moved me. It's sometimes disturbing, sometimes funny, and although heartbreaking, still left me hopeful.

05 May 2025

Boys Weakened: “Girls' Weekend,” at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre through May 11

By Pamela Briggs

To my joy, Girls' Weekend, now making its area debut at the Playcrafters Barn Theatre, is delightful. I laughed more than I have in a year of theatre.

29 Apr 2025

“Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!: The Musical," May 6 through 10

By Reader Staff

With its script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the New York Times number-one-best-selling and Caldecott Honor Award-winning Pigeon picture books, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!: The Musical opens the 2025 theatrical season at Mt. Carroll's Timber Lake Playhouse, this presentation by the venue's Magic Owl Children's Theatre sure to entertain kids of all ages during its May 6 through 10 run.

28 Apr 2025

Name That Toon: Haus of Ruckus' “Zooted Suits,” at the Black Box Theatre through May 4

By Pamela Briggs

Has it really been only three-and-a-half years since they won my heart with their first production "Jacques"alope? (Answer: Yes.) The founders of this comedic theatrical ensemble, T Green and Calvin Vo, are serving their latest smörgåsbord – Zooted Suits, a merrie medley of classic-cartoon parodies – at the Black Box Theatre. I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!

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