Chris Hicks

Welcome to the 2026 Quad Cities theatre season. Kicking it off is Circa 21’s current production, Lucky Stiff, with book by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, which will make you forget all about those sub-zero temperatures outside. It features mistaken identities, a dog-loving caseworker, and a shooting-prone mistress.

Well, it turns out I lied. Actually, The Lion in Winter was NOT the close of the Quad Cities’ theatre season. The close-out is actually Playcrafter’s Barn Theatre’s production of Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of the 1948 book Cheaper by the Dozen a real-life recounting of growing up in a household of 12 children authored by two of those children: Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey and here directed by Emma Terronez.

T’was late in November and all through the Quads, stirring about were theatre squads; acting and lighting, performers and crews; The Black Box Theatre called on its muse. On Mahr, on Adams, on Walsh and on Henning. On Lund, on Holdridge on Lamb and on Hill. Your show is worthy of a Broadway Playbill.

The Sound of Music continues at Quad City Music Guild in Moline’s Prospect Park, Friday and Saturday, November 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.

A Sherlock Carol continues at Richmond Hill Players Barn Theatre in Geneseo, Thursday through Saturday, November 20 through 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 23 at 3:00 p.m.

White Christmas continues at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse, 1828 – 3rd Avenue in Rock Island through December 28 with matinee performances on Wednesdays, evening performances Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and Dinner performances on Sunday.

In this episode of Footlights we welcome James Driscoll, a veteran actor with an impressive 35-year career in the Quad Cities theater scene.

Blythe Spirit continues at Playcrafters Barn Theatre, 4950 35th Avenue in Moline, Friday and Saturday, October 31 and November 1 at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 2 at 3:00pm

The Thanksgiving Play continues at The Black Box Theatre, 1623 5th Avenue in Moline, through November 1. Check their website for dates, times and tickets.

In this episode of Footlights, we dive deep into the multifaceted world of Bobby Becher, an accomplished musical theater performer and creator whose journey began in the charming city of Huntsville, Alabama.