Ethel Barker’s new novel “The Andersons of Eden” is the story of an Iowa farm family during the World War II era, whose lives are disrupted when the young men of the family go off to war. It’s a novel of historical fiction, but she incorporated thoughts and memories from real people such as well-known …
Metromix Chorus, a 45-member troupe of barber shop-style singing, bring a new show to the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 11 and the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center on Nov. 12. Lynda Black-Smith and Ann Buckheister say that “So, What’s New” will feature tunes by Pentatonix, a patriotic medley, and …
“City of Angels,” a musical whose book is by Larry Gelbart, creator of “MASH” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” takes place in two eras, present day and the 1940s. The 1940s scenes are staged in black and white. This creates some technical challenges for the directors and crew of …
It’s a first for Tim Hankewich and Orchestra Iowa as they provide a live soundtrack to the classic movie “Casablanca,” one show only, Oct. 27 at the Paramount Theatre. Tim says that this is particularly challenging for the conductor, as he is the only one of the seventy musicians who can see the time codes …
The Iowa City Community Theatre presents “She Kills Monsters” Oct. 27 through Nov. 5. It’s the tale of a young woman’s journey to deal with tragedy against the backdrop of the role playing game “Dungeons & Dragons.” Director Nate Sullivan, an avowed D&D’er himself, says the play combines stage combat, and special effects that include …
“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” is the story of a woman whose life is forever changed by the group of unusual characters she gets involved with after answering someone else’s phone. Theatre Cedar Rapids’ Scenic Director Daniel Kelchen moves into the director’s chair for the first time since college in this dark comedy, which opens Oct. …
Riverside Theatre presents “Circle Mirror Transformation,” a play written by Annie Baker, who earlier this week one of the famous MacArthur Fellowship “genius grants.” The play is about a group of people taking an acting class at a Vermont Community Center, and the unintended emotional directions the experience takes them. Director Angie Toomsen and cast …
Tim Hankewich and Orchestra Iowa present Tchaikovsky’s final symphony, “Pathetique,” which premiered just nine days before the famous composer’s death. Tim says he thinks the piece is Tchaikovsky’s most profound work. The Orchestra will feature its principal cellist, Laura Usiskin, in a Shostakovich concerto. Shostakovich lived during the Soviet Union era, and actually wrote a …
