Summer Theatre in the QC
Quad Cities theatre is not to be missed this summer in 2021. In-person shows are back.
What choices! This summer, the Quad Cities will be jam-packed with summer theatre. Whether you want a family-friendly afternoon, musical, or an edgy evening, the Quad Cities has it all this summer!
Quad City Music Guild
Nestled in prospect Park in Moline, Quad City Music Guild presents Monty Python’s “Spamalot” virtually June 11-13. Tickets may be booked online
“Mamma Mia” will be presented in-person at Prospect Park Auditorium July 9-11 and 15-18. Tap your toes along to your favorite ABBA songs.
Based on my favorite book, “Matilda: The Musical” will be performed August 6-8 and 12-15. Matilda is a sharp girl with a vivid imagination. Desperately wanting out of the life she has, learns she not only has astonishing wit, but psychokinetic powers as well.
Call 309-762-6610 for reservations.
Mississippi Bend Players
The Mississippi Bend Players have taken up summer residency at the Brunner Theatre Center at Augustana College since 2017. MBP is a unique blend of theatre professionals, regional community members and theatre interns that create professional-quality productions. They will perform three shows this year, for one weekend each including “Red”, “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing”, and “No Child….”
“Red” is a searing portrait of an artist’s ambition. Directed by local favorite Catherine Bodenbender and featuring MBP favorites Mike Schulz and Tristan Odenkirk, this isn’t to be missed on June 17-20!
Conceived and performed by Augustana College professor Shelley Cooper, “Mary and Ethel: How I Learned to Sing” on June 24-27 features favorite tunes from “Hello, Dolly!”, “The Sound of Music,” and “Anything Goes!” These sprightly tunes will have you dancing in your seat!
In “No Child…” a single actress will play 16 different characters in a New York City public school. This touching performance on July 8-11 addresses the current state of our education system.
Leo Schubert, who has been to every MBP production, says, “The Brunner Theatre is an intimate space and when you watch the Mississippi Bend Players there, you aren't just at the show, but you will feel that you are part of it. Augustana students get the opportunity to work with regional theatre professionals, making it the perfect blend of educational and professional theatre.”
Tickets and information can be found at mississippibendplayers.com
Circa ‘21
A local favorite in downtown Rock Island, Circa ‘21 is the only dinner playhouse in the area where you can enjoy dinner and a show! Their spinach artichoke lasagna sounds incredible!
“Beehive” (think ‘60’s hair style) pays tribute to some of the most iconic musicians from the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Running through July 10, make sure you don’t miss the music that wowed an entire generation.
Keep dancing in your seats and go see “Saturday Night Fever” After all, what’s a more perfect, light hearted fun summer night than the legendary hits from the Bee Gees? I don’t think it will be possible to make the trip home after without belting out the tunes that will be fresh in your head, but I will try to spare my child my off-key singing. Performances run July 16-September 11.
Bring the kids to see Elephant and Piggie come alive in “We are in a Play”. Torn from your favorite Mo Willems books, this play will be perfect for the Elephant and Piggy lovers. Shows run June 11-July 2.
For tickets and information visit www.circa21.com or call 309-786-7733.
Genesius Guild
For your classical theatre fix, Genesius Guild is for you! Situated in Prospect Park in Rock Island, you get to enjoy classics under the stars, and attendance is free!
Doug Tschopp, Executive Director of Genesius Guild, says of the season: “outdoor theater, under the stars, in the middle of a park – for free! This is a great summer for theatre in the park, starting with a shortened version of one of our favorite Shakespeare plays to open the season. Next is an entertaining and informative look at William Shakespeare – who he was, and how he influenced the English language (this is a personal favorite of mine). Finally, we close the season with a staple of the Genesius Guild: Greek tragedy performed in mask, rarely done in the U.S.”
June 19-20 and 26-72 Genesius Guild will perform an abridged version of “Measure for Measure” by Shakespeare.
“Shakespeare’s Life in his Words”, by Genesius Guild founder Don Wooten, will be performed July 3-4 and 10-11. This will be the first time it will be performed on the Genesius stage, and it pays tribute to Shakespeare’s life.
Last in their summer series is the Green tragedy “Hippolytus”, from 428 BCE which is part of the trilogy by Euripides on July 17-18, 24-25.
Information can be found at www.genesius.org
The Black Box Theatre
A cozy and most intimate space, The Black Box Theatre is one of the newest theatres in the area. “Hate Mail” starts with a man who receives a broken snow glove and demands a refund. Things escalate quickly from there! Leave the kids home for this one and enjoy a night out! The show runs June 3-12.
Tickets and information can be found at www.theblackboxtheatre.com
Watch for other shows to happen this summer.
Spotlight Theatre
The Spotlight Theatre in downtown Moline is set within a former Masonic Lodge and is possibly one of the most unique stages in the Quad Cities. Don’t miss family friendly “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” June 4-6 and June 11-14!
Tickets and information can be found at www.thespotlighttheatreqc.com
Playcrafters Barn Theatre
The Barn reopens this summer after having our doors closed for 15 long months. Come see “Princeton’s Rage” June 4-6 & 11-13 and support live, local, community theatre.
“Princeton’s Rage” on June 4-6, 11-13 is written by a local playwright, Don Faust, directed by a QC native, Madison Duling and has all local talent, on stage and behind the scenes.
Penned by famed playwright August Wilson, “The Piano Lessons” focus on old piano covered with incredible carvings detailing the family’s rise from slavery. Its 1936 and the brother wants to sell it to buy land, but his sister doesn't want to. Boy Willie tries to persuade his stubborn sister that the past is past, but she is more formidable than he anticipated. See it July 16-18, 23-25.
Written by local playwright, Jim Sederquist, “The Whistleblower's Dilemma” takes a look at the suspenseful twists and turns in company culture. Can the man and the friend forestall the investigator from finding the fraud set up to frame the fraudster who originally framed the factory fraud on the man before they themselves turn in the fraudster for the first fraud and save the factory? Find out August 13-15, 20-22.
Tickets and info can be found at playcrafters.com
I hope you are able to catch a show this summer. I have tickets to a few shows and am READY for live theatre! Make sure you get your tickets early as performances may sell out sooner than normal due to local social distancing guidelines. Let's support live, local theatre as they bring it back. The talent here continues to amaze.
Originally from Massachusetts, Danielle Roman moved to the Quad Cities in 2015 and has loved exploring the nooks and crannies of the area, especially anything outdoors. She currently works at Augustana College in communication and marketing. Previous to working at Augustana, she spent 8 years in finance and operations at a small high school just outside Boston and a few years working in Yellowstone National Park where she met her husband, Andy. Danielle, her husband, and their rambunctious son live in Rock Island and you can often find them on different hiking trails and exploring the shores of the Mississippi River.