If you have never been to an SPT show, you must rectify this immediately. You can get a drink downstairs, move up to the new space and know that you are in for a good night. […]
SPT Theatre settles into a new space for season 12: If You Build It
Articles by Laura Johnson
Get thee to a theater! 10 can’t-miss local productions this month
With the variety of offerings in Eastern Iowa, you won’t have to go far to find something for date night, the whole family or just a quiet evening for one. This seems particularly true in September. Shows continuing their runs include […]
Riverside’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ achieves a moment of peace
A story of family relationships, an examination of how one lives their life, and unrequited love all take equal stage time throughout ‘Uncle Vanya.’ The show runs through Oct. 6 at Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $30. […]
Every moment is meaningful in Mirrorbox Theatre’s production of ‘Sender’
Mirrorbox Theater is ready to ask some tough questions with its Iowa premier of ‘Sender’ this weekend. Questions like, “What really matters?” and “How do we define ourselves and our relationships?” […]
Giving Tree’s new owners kick off their first season with ‘The Mousetrap’
his past April, Jamie and Andrea Henley were talking about opening a small family business. Three months later, they became the new owners of Giving Tree Theatre in Marion. A month after [, they opened their first show, The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie. […]
‘Iowa doesn’t suck’: Kae Apothecary and the magical Mount Vernon
One of Mount Vernon’s most distinctive small businesses trades in herbs, magic and meditation. Kae Apothecary began with Andrea Gorsh, who moved to the Mount Vernon area in 2009 — the same year she was diagnosed with celiac disease. Because of the trouble she had finding gluten-free, natural and non-irritating skin products, she […]
‘Apples in Winter’ an intimate, artful, must-see show
Apples in Winter, by Jennifer Fawcett, opened this weekend at Old Creamery Theatre. This is a show that everyone needs to see. The one-woman show is poignantly enacted by Marquetta Senters. From silent entrance to screaming ending, Senters brings an astounding range of emotions to life during the 90-minute show. […]
Book Review: ‘Look, Black Boy’ by Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey
With his first self-published chapbook, Look, Black Boy, Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey confronts and challenges his readers while communicating with them on a variety of levels. The central theme of this short collection is how it feels to be a young black man in 2019 in the Midwest. […]
RHCR’s cast brings beautifully crafted ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ to life
Rich Heritage of Cedar Rapids Theater Company (RHCR) opened Driving Miss Daisy to an appreciative audience Friday night — and indeed, there was a great deal to appreciate. […]
In ‘The Legend of Georgia McBride,’ Giving Tree Theater shows how to make a family
What does a failing Elvis impersonator do when faced with a growing family and bills to pay? The answer to this question can be found in Giving Tree Theater’s penultimate show, ‘The Legend of Georgia McBride.’ […]
Reconsidering evil and salvation: TCR’s ‘Hunchback’ offers engrossing storytelling, exceptional vocals
The Hunchback of Notre Dame — directed by Angie Toomsen, assisted by Lisa Kelly and with musical direction by Janelle Lauer — opened Friday at Theatre Cedar Rapids (it runs through May 26; tickets are $25-52). With rich vocals from the first notes, a story of outcasts, sin and love was woven beautifully on stage. […]
Love is in the air: ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ delightful seasonal fare
‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ is part of Old Creamery’s VIP (Very Intimate Performance) series which has shrunk the theater; the audience finds themselves on what is normally the stage.There is no fourth wall from the start of the play. This is an intimate show where the actors perform without amplification and interact with the audience. […]
