Director Tony Parise and his tech team have created an enchanting production true to the film that includes a huge spiral platform to suggest the funnel cloud that whisks Dorothy to the magical land of Oz along with a gingerbread farmhouse front, dancing apple trees, prancing poppies, and madcap munchkins. What can’t be duplicated onstage is accomplished by projections onto the scrim.

Five shows opened this past weekend in various venues. Of these, only Circa 21’s current production will run beyond next weekend. So, if your circumstances dictate that you can only choose one performance to attend next weekend you should choose The Black Box Theatre’s production of Grandma Gatewood Takes a Walk, Catherine Bush’s stage adaptation of Ben Montgomery’s New York Times best seller, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk here directed by the talented Lora Adams.

This show is a raucous, energetic, colorful romp that will set millennials’ toes to tapping especially during Squidward Q. Tentacles real tap dance number.

July has heated up to be as hot as h-e-double hockey sticks with humidity to match so if you’re looking to get out of the house but skip Gehenna I recommend a short jaunt out to Geneseo to take in Richmond Hill Players current production of Heaven Help Me by Joe Simonelli.

In this episode of Talking Art, Genesius Guild directors Cait Bodenbender and Michael Callahan discuss the enduring appeal of Greek drama and Shakespeare, the creative process of directing classical theatre, and this season's free outdoor productions in Davenport. They explore how centuries-old stories continue to resonate with modern audiences and why preserving these timeless works remains an important part of the Quad Cities arts community.

Discover four seasonal food groups that can help keep you hydrated, nourished, and energized throughout the summer. Learn simple ways to add fresh, nutrient-rich foods to your meals and snacks.

Illinois reports 240 cases of the intestinal infection that causes “explosive diarrhea.” No definitive cause for the current outbreak has been identified.

Peoples Gas cut $58 million, or nearly 30%, from the rate hike it requested in January. If approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, typical residential bills would increase by $7-8 per month in 2027, rather than the $10-11 originally requested.

A search will begin for a replacement for Christina Shutt, who will stay on until the end of the year.

The Illinois State Board of Education recently released a guidance document intended to help schools and districts make decisions about whether and how to use artificial intelligence in classrooms and school operations.

Harvest Academy in Indianola helps its participants overcome challenges after leaving jail. The program wants to relocate its campus to help more people, and just broke ground on a bigger location in Des Moines.

Immigrants in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska are being detained for months at a time, waiting to be sent to countries where they have no ties. Some have criminal records. Others came to the country seeking asylum.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque is ending weekend Mass at 76 of its 160 parishes. The Journey in Faith initiative aims to create a sustainable future for the archdiocese, which is facing a decline in Mass attendance.

Starting July 1, Iowans will see a host of laws go into effect, including changes to obtaining abortion medication, higher speed limits and new age verification for adult websites.

Pesticide pollution is a problem especially in the middle of the country. And sometimes there's enough of it to possibly hurt aquatic plants and animals.

For 150 years, silos have been a fixture of the Corn Belt, but efforts to preserve them have been haphazard.

The majority of tornadoes this year have blasted through states in the Midwest and Southeast, including Illinois, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa. Tornado activity has been increasing east of the Great Plains in recent decades.

A preliminary court order reinstated federal grants largely helping Black, Indigenous, veteran and immigrant farmers access land, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut earlier this year. Now, organizations are cautiously moving forward with their projects.